Next Stop, Christmas

Next Stop, Christmas is a heartwarming holiday movie that first premiered on Hallmark Channel on November 6, 2021. The film stars Lyndsy Fonseca (How I Met Your Mother), Chandler Massey (Days of Our Lives), and Erika Slezak (One Life to Live).

The story follows Angie (Fonseca), a young woman who works as a tour guide in New York City. Angie loves her job and the city, but she’s not exactly feeling the Christmas spirit. Her boss, Mrs. Claus (Slezak), notices and decides to send her on a special tour of Christmas towns in upstate New York.

On the trip, Angie meets Matt (Massey), a charming and handsome Christmas-loving man who runs a Christmas tree farm. She also meets a variety of characters in the small towns they visit, including a toy maker, a baker, and a town mayor who’s determined to win a Christmas lights competition.

As Angie and Matt spend more time together, they start to fall for each other. But Angie is hesitant to get involved, as she’s focused on her career and not looking for a relationship. Meanwhile, Mrs. Claus is watching over everything from the North Pole and trying to help guide Angie and Matt towards each other.

Throughout the movie, there are plenty of heartwarming moments that will make viewers feel cozy and nostalgic, from tree lightings to ice skating to cozy fireside chats. The small-town settings are picturesque and give the movie a cozy feel, while the Christmas themes are woven throughout in a way that never feels overwhelming or trite.

One of the standout performances in Next Stop, Christmas is Erika Slezak as Mrs. Claus. She brings a warmth and wisdom to the role that makes her seem like the perfect person to play Santa’s wife. Chandler Massey is also delightful as Matt, bringing a boyish charm to the role that makes it easy to root for him and Angie to get together.

Lyndsy Fonseca carries much of the movie on her shoulders, and she does a good job of portraying the conflicted and career-driven Angie. She has good chemistry with Massey, and their scenes together are some of the best in the movie.

The movie is directed by David Weaver, who has plenty of experience with the Hallmark holiday movie formula. He does a good job of keeping the pacing brisk and keeping the story moving forward without feeling rushed. The script is by Gregg Rossen and Brian Sawyer, who have also written several other Hallmark movies.

Overall, Next Stop, Christmas is a feel-good holiday movie that’s perfect for curling up on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it’s a well-made and charmingly acted movie that will please fans of the genre. It’s also a great reminder to slow down and enjoy the season, something we could all use a little more of.