Lindsay Lohan’s latest Netflix Christmas venture, Our Little Secret, is a festive rom-com that leans on familiar tropes while adding a touch of chaotic charm. Directed by Stephen Herek, this holiday film blends romance, comedy, and a dash of mischief to serve as a cozy, low-stakes watch for the season. With Lohan sharing the screen alongside Ian Harding and an ensemble cast, the movie attempts to strike a balance between heartfelt storytelling and playful absurdity.
Opening Credits
From the very first sequence, Our Little Secret sets itself apart with an inventive and engaging animated opening credits scene. While chronicling Avery and Logan’s shared history—growing up in a small town, navigating childhood escapades, and eventually blossoming into young love—the sequence cleverly weaves in snippets of major current events from the past two decades, anchoring their personal story within a larger, relatable timeline.
The animation transitions through various time periods, showing how moments like the dawn of social media or the rise of mobile technology subtly affect the characters’ lives. For example, young Avery is seen creating a “Top 8” friend list on a MySpace page, making viewers like me chuckle at the nostalgia, while Logan scrolls through a clunky old flip phone as they exchange texts for the first time. More serious events, like the global financial crisis or climate change discussions, are symbolically represented through subtler visuals—a news ticker subtly scrolling across the bottom, or a poster about recycling pinned to a treehouse wall. These elements don’t overpower the sequence but rather enrich it, adding depth and context to their world.
The blending of personal and global narratives is slickly executed, using seamless transitions and a vibrant color palette that adapts to represent each era. Early 2000s frames are bathed in neon tones, nodding to the aesthetics of the time, while modern-day sequences feature the cozy, muted warmth of Christmastime. This integration of historical touchpoints not only grounds the characters in a believable reality but also helps the audience connect to their story on a nostalgic level.
The narrative strength of these visuals is enhanced by the accompanying music—a whimsically arranged instrumental that rises and falls in tempo as it mirrors the highs and lows of Avery and Logan’s lives. This clever synchronization ties the sequence together, creating an emotional hook even before the first scene of live-action begins. The juxtaposition of lighthearted moments, like Avery slipping theatrically on ice, with the weightier backdrop of world events, sets the tone of the film—grounded in reality yet filled with humor and heart.
Plot
The story revolves around Avery (Lindsay Lohan), a spirited woman spending her first Christmas with her boyfriend Cam’s (Jon Rudnitsky) family, the affluent Morgans. Avery’s holiday cheer crumbles when she learns that her ex-boyfriend, Logan (Ian Harding), is also part of the festivities—Logan is Cam’s sister Cassie’s boyfriend. Cue the awkward tension and secret-keeping, as the two exes agree to hide their romantic history.
However, as the Morgan family dynamics unravel, Avery and Logan find themselves reluctantly teaming up in a series of comical and often compromising situations. Whether it’s botched Christmas masses (thanks to a THC gummy incident) or clandestine trips to help Logan with an architectural project, their shared history begins to bubble to the surface. All the while, the Morgan matriarch Erica (Kristin Chenoweth) keeps a suspicious—and hilariously judging—eye on everyone.
By the climactic Christmas Eve dinner, secrets spill left and right. The exes’ past relationship is uncovered, familial affairs are exposed, and Avery’s own engagement to Cam seems shakier than a tree in a snowstorm. Yet, as hearts thaw amid the holiday chaos, Avery and Logan rekindle their connection, leading to a heartwarming conclusion that reminds us why second chances are sometimes worth taking.
Screenplay and Cinematography
Hailey DeDominicis’s screenplay oscillates between conventional rom-com beats and moments of eccentricity that give Our Little Secret its quirky identity. The dialogue is light and snappy, although some lines lean heavily on overused archetypes. The comedic timing thrives in scenes where situational humor unfolds—like Avery, hilariously high on edibles, riffing Kool & the Gang’s “Celebration” during mass. These absurd sequences inject much-needed personality into a script that occasionally plays it too safe narratively.
Visually, the film is a feast of holiday cheer. Cinematographer Graham Robbins drenches the screen in warm, festive hues, making the Morgan estate feel like a winter wonderland. Each scene is brimming with holiday decor, from twinkling lights to lavish dinner spreads, effectively transporting viewers into a postcard-perfect Christmas. However, while the aesthetic is gorgeous, it often glosses over opportunities to enhance intimacy in quieter, character-driven moments.
On-Screen Chemistry and Performances
Lindsay Lohan delivers a delightful performance as Avery, blending her signature charisma with moments of genuine vulnerability. This role sees Lohan in comfortable territory—her comedic delivery and physical humor are reminiscent of her earlier rom-com work, yet there’s a maturity in her portrayal that reflects her growth as an actress.
Ian Harding, as Logan, is an understated yet charming counterpart to Lohan. While their chemistry doesn’t ignite into outright fireworks, there’s a low-key sincerity in their interactions that feels authentic. The push-and-pull dynamic between their characters is more sweet than sizzling, but it works within the cozy, family-oriented tone of the film.
Kristin Chenoweth, as Erica, steals every scene she’s in with her biting wit and over-the-top antics, delivering comedic relief that anchors the movie’s sillier moments. Meanwhile, the supporting cast, including Jon Rudnitsky and Judy Reyes, brings depth and humor to their roles, effectively rounding out the Morgan family’s chaotic holiday tableau.
Lohan’s Cinematic Evolution
Our Little Secret marks another chapter in Lindsay Lohan’s recent career revival. While this rom-com is lighter in tone compared to her early 2000s hits like Mean Girls or Freaky Friday, it showcases a more refined approach to comedy. Gone is the youthful slapstick energy of her earlier performances, replaced by a measured delivery and subtle humor that play into the film’s more grounded moments.
Comparing this to her recent Netflix projects, including Falling for Christmas and Irish Wish, Lohan seems to be finding her groove in holiday rom-coms, leaning into roles that feel effortless and endearing. While these films don’t demand the dramatic heavy lifting her earlier works required, they allow her to shine through her natural screen presence and comedic timing.
Final Thoughts
Our Little Secret may not reinvent the rom-com wheel, but it delivers exactly what you’d expect from a Netflix holiday movie—a lighthearted, entertaining escape filled with laughs, love, and holiday cheer. With Lindsay Lohan at the helm, supported by a spirited cast and picturesque cinematography, the film succeeds as a feel-good flick perfect for a cozy winter evening.
The animated opening credits, enriched by the clever integration of global events alongside personal milestones, set a nostalgic yet quirky tone for this holiday story. Lohan’s performance, coupled with her evident growth as an actress, adds a nostalgic layer of charm that fans of her earlier works will appreciate. If you’re looking for a feel-good, low-commitment holiday rom-com, Our Little Secret is worth a watch—even if just for the joy of seeing Lohan back in action, spreading Christmas cheer like only she can.
Justine Castellon is a brand strategist with an innate ability to weave compelling narratives. She seamlessly blends her professional insight with her passion for literature. Her literary works include romantic drama novels—Four Seasons, The Last Snowfall, and Gnight Sara / ‘Night Heck. With her ability to tell stories that linger long after the last word, Justine leaves a mark not only in the world of branding but also in the hearts of her readers.
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