Meet Me Next Christmas (2024)

about 1 month ago

Okay, so this is a bit here and there because I’m not the biggest fan of Christmas movies. I’ve enjoyed some truly stellar Christmas movies, but it’s not a genre I jump at when I see it. If anything, I avoid it, unless it presents something different in storyline. Or has someone in it that I like. The latter is what happened in my case, because while surfing through Netflix, I was going to skip this movie, but then I saw Devale Ellis, and well that pretty much cancelled out my resolve not to watch it. I hesitated a bit, but I ended up right there, watching this movie and hoping for the best.

Meet Me Next Christmas (2024)

This movie released on 6th November, 2024, and begins at an airport, tells the story of Layla(Christina Milian) who is trying to get home to her boyfriend for Christmas for their annual ritual of going to a Pentatonix concert where she meets James(Kofi Siriboe) at the lounge and the two hit it off, sparks and everything. He shoots his shot, but alas she’s not single, so she’s not too receptive. But, they agree to meet at a Pentatonix concert next Christmas if they’re both single.

Fast forward to next year and Layla tries to find Pentatonix tickets to meet with James and create what is supposed to be the most epic love story of all time. But alas, the tickets to the Christmas show at Rockefeller Center are sold out and Layla has to go through a concierge service. This is where she meets James(Devale Ellis), who is the concierge tasked to ensure she gets that ticket as his job depends on it. Thing is, this is not the first time she’s meeting James. They’ve met before. A year ago. Can they get the tickets to make Layla’s meet-cute with her airport love work? Or does fate have another Christmas magic in store?

My Review and Rating

So, I’ll begin with Devale Ellis. Again. I think he’s more or less the major reason I saw Tyler Perry’s Sistas up until season 6 where his character was Zach. And it was wonderful seeing him with that same “Zach-y” character. I think that’s how he is in real life. Goofy, with lot of facial expressions and dead-ass wit. And it was also lovely seeing him as a male lead. It wasn’t like his performance was Oscar-worthy or anything, but he fits as male lead because of how relatable he is to the average man. No macho-male type of thing. Just raw, unadulterated Devale Ellis.

Then there’s the role of Christina Milian as Layla. I’ve not seen a lot of Christina’s films apart from Resort to Love. She’s the type of actress that is just made from rom-coms, you know. Every beautiful face. Charming smile and even more charming disposition. She’s like the perfect feminine woman package. Although I don’t think anyone is that jolly, and nice and thoroughly optimistic, I think it kind of works for her. It did grate me a bit that her character didn’t have more sass. But, I guess that’s not her point in the movie. Still delivered though. As always.

I loved the role of Pentatonix as well. I followed a lot of their music years ago. Then the group became different and I don’t know, I just wasn’t all zesty about them anymore. But it was fun to see them interact away from their music and they are a fun group. Seeing them be a part of the movie, performing their songs and also aiding the Christmas miracle was a lovely sight.

Moving on from that to say that this is a Christmas movie. So, there are no expected plot twists or anything like that. And I think if you expect that from a typical Christmas movie, then you haven’t been informed, lol. I think what distinguishes Christmas movies from the other genres is the fact that it’s a comfort film. Just the type to watch with family or a loved one. All about Christmas magic, love and second chances. All that sappy thing you wouldn’t usually see or even want to watch in other movies. But for the Christmas genre, it just works.

I would have loved a better ending where Teddy actualised or at least put his culinary skills to good use or heck, even whether or not he was retained as a concierge. Maybe a bit into James as well and a little run of how his one year turned out? But, I guess the movie wasn’t supposed to go that way? Nothing out of the ordinary. Not a multiple watch type of thing. But you’ll smile at the very least and be in a positive Christmas/love spirit. Not a bad film at all. Giving it a 6/10. Would love to see more of my man, Devale.