Let It Snow Review: A Holiday Hit with Serious ‘Love Actually’ Vibes

This review contains spoilers for the Netflix Original Movie Let It Snow.

Netflix’s Let It Snow is a modern-day Love Actually with fewer British accents and a whole lot of charm.

This instant holiday hit follows a group of teens living in a small midwestern town hit by an unexpected snowstorm on Christmas Eve.

It’s a film that captures the beauty of fresh snow and the gawky awkwardness of adolescence as these high-school seniors are thrown together by circumstance. Sprinkle in a stranded pop star, a stolen beer keg, and a lady wearing tinfoil and we’ve got ourselves a real Christmas rom-com.

And if the miracle of a cinematic winter wonderland doesn’t completely win you over, the cast sure will. The ensemble of teens includes Kiernan Shipka (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Jacob Batalon (Spider-man: Far From Home), Isabela Moner, (Instant Family), and Shameik Moore (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse). Even Joan Cusack (Shameless) and D’Arcy Carden (The Good Place) stop by to celebrate the holidays.

Let It Snow succeeds when Netflix’s summer ensemble, The Last Summer, could not. That’s in large part because of casting.

This film has the perfect mix of familiar and new faces that the celebrity factor doesn’t end up overtaking the story itself. Higher profile actors such as Shipka and Batalon blend seamlessly into a cast of young up and comers.

No one storyline or actor needs to be singled out as the primary focus when there’s a sea of performances to take in at every turn.

That being said, this wouldn’t be a true ensemble if there weren’t standouts.

Stuart and Julie arguably have the most kismet, cliche trope of the film. Girl meets celebrity, celebrity unrealistically falls in love with her, and a sledding montage ensues — you know the one.

Here’s the thing. There is nothing that feels cliche about this teenage romance.

Moner brings an honesty to her character that shines through in her delivery of even the stalest of banter. Moore’s famous popstar doesn’t share much about himself, but he is a charming goofball that keeps this one-on-one interaction interesting long past the first act.

This age-old trope is elevated to new heights by an earnest story and strong casting that allows these seemingly two-dimensional characters the ability to shine brighter than all the rest.

The real beauty of Let It Snow is that regardless of which romance story is your favourite, the other two other romances will still have something special to offer.

Shipka doesn’t have as big a part in this story as you would expect, but that only allows Mitchell Hope (Descendants) more screen time to win us over. And let me tell you, with the ever so charming Matthew Noszka (Star) sharing the screen, that’s an incredibly large feat to accomplish.

In the end, Tobin and Angie’s quirky friends to lovers storyline sticks to what works. And for what their story lacks in originality, the two oddball teens more than makeup for with a violent game of broomball and a passible bleeding nipple gag.

Every story needs a predictable trope to keep the story grounded and for better or worse, that honour goes to Tobin and Angie.

Despite the horrible start to Dorrie’s Christmas love story, Liv Hewson (Santa Clarita Diet) and Anna Akana (Stitchers) manage to turn this film’s only LGBTQ romance around in the end. This is all thanks to some adorable Harry Potter references and a coming-out kiss that is just as big and sappy as a rom-com smooch can be.

I also love that we went into their story already knowing these two had a romantic past, it helps add to the chaos of this hot and cold relationship.

If we’re being honest, it’s the third wheels of this romantic comedy that really help sell the whole performance.

Batalon introduces the same loveable personality and signature brand of comedic timing from his Spider-Man films into Keon’s persona. And while the only relationship this character has is with music, he wins us over all the same with his confusing DJ name and wavering hatred for the universe.

D’Arcy Carden makes a surprising appearance as Stuart’s publicist and does a wonderful job of derailing her client’s budding romance in under a minute. With a phone to her ear and a hatred for snow, Carden could very well be a Bad Janet in disguise. I have no evidence that states otherwise.

However, the real scene-stealer of Let It Snow is Cusack’s tinfoil lady. Much like Rowan Atkinson’s guardian angel character in Love Actually, Cusack’s character is shrouded in mystery. No matter how much the teens who cross paths with her ask, the tinfoil mystery woman refuses to give up her story. So much so that her bluntness becomes the comedic backbone of this rom-com. 

But Let It Snow would be nothing without one key element — snow.

If this film had taken place in spring with a similar plot, the same praises would not be in order. Snow has this magical effect on people, especially at Christmas, and this film uses that to its full advantage.

Instead of staying rooted in spot, Let It Snow bears the cold to bring us a story on the grandest scale a small town can provide. Some of the best scenes are spent watching the sleepy town of Laurel come to life on the snowy backroads and through the windows of a cozy waffle house.

No winter filming destination could have been better than the great white north and this film acknowledges that by leaning into the beauty of a true Canadian snowfall. The crisp white background elevates every outdoor scene and showcases the one aspect of this movie that can’t be outdone.

Let It Snow is certainly a winter wonderland worth exploring.

This film has a tried and true path to success and sticks to that path with commendable determination. However, there are times where embracing the teen rom-com doesn’t work entirely in this film’s favour. Forcing verbal conflict into every character dynamic is a predictable staple of the genre that has no place in this heartwarming tale.

Regardless, you can take comfort in knowing Netflix’s latest attempt to capitalize on YA adaptations requires little effort to enjoy and is just quirky and endearing enough to pass for a romantic comedy.

Let It Snow is basically a teenage Love Actually with Sabrina Spellman — and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. 

What did you think of Let It Snow? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Let It Snow is streaming now on Netflix.

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