Film Review: Exes of Christmas Past (7.5/10)

A warm, heartfelt and festive rom-com that ever so slightly cooks your dating history.

Exes of Christmas Past is a holiday romantic comedy directed by Michael Kennedy, written by Blaine Chiappetta and Dennis Keiffer, and produced by Timothy O. Johnson. Starring Catherine Haena Kim, Raymond Ablack, Jesse Nobrega, and Andrew Bushell, the film follows Ali; a commitment-phobic woman who suddenly finds all her exes popping back into her life as she thinks this get away is stress free.

Without spoiling anything, the movie blends heartfelt lessons with holiday sparkle and a sprinkle of magical chaos. Think of it as emotional therapy but with Christmas lights and holiday cheer.

STORY (1.5/2)

The story centers on Ali, who is basically haunted by the ghosts of her past relationships during the holidays—a premise that somehow feels both classic and delightfully petty. The film plays with the familiar A Christmas Carol structure but swaps out Dickensian gloom for peppermint lattes and romantic hiccups.

Set in a modern city buzzing with holiday energy, the location helps sell the nostalgia—nothing hits quite like life lessons delivered next to twinkling lights. The pacing moves quickly as Ali deals with each ex, making it easy to follow even if you’re two hot chocolates deep. While some moments are predictable, they’re still charming, like a holiday cookie you’ve had a thousand times but keep eating anyway.

The story’s emotional beats feel genuine, and the structure keeps things lively without confusing the audience.

VISUALS (1.5/2)

Visually, the movie leans fully into “premium holiday rom-com” mode, meaning everything is bright, soft, and just a touch too perfect. The cinematography is clean, the colors pop, and the ever-present Christmas décor works overtime. The magical moments with the exes use subtle lighting shifts that make you go, “Okay movie, I see you.”

A standout scene involves a memory sequence where they crank up the color saturation to maximum nostalgia, and it works surprisingly well. Some shots are a bit too glossy, giving that unmistakable made-for-TV shine, but it never becomes distracting. Overall, it’s visually charming, festive, and easy on the eyes, basically everything you want from a holiday film.

SOUND (1.5/2)

The audio mix delivers clear dialogue, which is a win considering how many scenes involve heartfelt confessions in loud holiday settings. Sound effects for the magical transitions are sprinkled in tastefully instead of going full “Disney Channel sparkle,” which hits home for me.

The score is light, warm, and festive—like a gingerbread cookie fresh out of the oven. A couple transitions between music and dialogue are a little abrupt, but not enough to yank you out of the moment. The emotional scenes benefit the most from the soundtrack, which quietly makes you feel something without it being forced. Surround sound elements add a nice touch, especially during the more whimsical scenes.

CHARACTER (1.5/2)

Ali is instantly likable, and Catherine Haena Kim plays her with a mix of charm, awkwardness, and emotional honesty. Raymond Ablack brings the kind of slow-burn romantic energy that has you rooting for him ten minutes in.

Each ex brings something different—comedy, chaos, or cringe—which keeps the story fun and unpredictable. Costumes do a great job highlighting personalities, from buttoned-up exes who scream “red flag” to more relaxed ones who look like walking holiday postcards. While no plot twist will leave you with your mouth open, the characters; personalities were heartfelt and genuine.

The chemistry between the leads is strong, and even the side characters contribute meaningfully without stealing the spotlight or becoming annoying.

FACTOR X (1.5/2)

Personally, Exes of Christmas Past hits that sweet spot between comforting holiday cheer and relatable emotional maturity. It’s the kind of movie you throw on when you want to feel something—but not too much. The film pairs magical charm with real-life relationship lessons in a way that just feels right. If you enjoy holiday movies where characters learn about themselves and kiss someone by the end, you’ll be right at home. While some outcomes are obvious miles away, the movie’s sincerity and good vibes are hard to dislike.

Exes of Christmas Past is a cozy, funny, and sweet holiday rom-com that delivers exactly what it promises: romance, reflection, and enough Christmas energy to light a small tree. Strong performances, polished visuals, and a charming spin on the “learn from your past mistakes” formula make it a solid holiday pick. It’s warm, it’s cute, and it leaves you feeling like maybe revisiting your exes isn’t always a terrible idea, though in real life, it probably is. Available on various streaming platforms depending on your region, it’s an easy feel-good watch for December nights.

FINAL SCORE: 7.5/10

Where to Watch: Tubi