Hot Frosty (2024)

A perfect way to kick-off the holiday romance season!

The Quick Details

Official promo poster for Netflix’s Hot Frosty

• Title: Hot Frosty

• Release date: November 13, 2024

• Directed by: Jerry Ciccoritti

• Staring: Dustin Milligan, Lacey Chabert

• Summary: When a young widow's magic scarf brings a dashing snowman to life, can he help her rediscover romance, laughter and holiday cheer before he melts away? (https://www.netflix.com/title/81764579)

• Rating: TV-PG

• Genre: Holiday Romantic Comedy

The Awesome Review

What a wonderful way to welcome in the 2024 holiday season! I am a huge fan of cheesy Hallmark holiday movies, fluffy romance, maybe a little intrigue, and a heartwarming finale that makes you grateful it’s the Christmas season.

This movie definitely had those elements, but also more. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself on the verge of tears as Jack, the now living and well chiseled snowman (played perfectly by Dustin Milligan of Schitt’s Creek fame) showcased an incredible level of thought and perception that all man should aspire to.

Dustin Milligan, both very handsome and a delightful performer, captures a delightful, Elf-like naiveté that illustrates what a great force for good men could be in this world.

Jack, in so many ways, embodied what I envision as a perfect man many of us should aspire to. He is strong, capable, and hard working, he admits when he is wrong or doesn’t know something, he loves freely but respects boundaries, he helps because it’s the right thing to do even when it might be a little inconvenient, he listens, he seeks understanding, he is willing to learn, he appreciates the fragility of life, and throughout the film his unique and limited perspective helps create a space where it is safe to be you, no matter what.

If only we could have more men in the world like that.

On the other side of the romance, Lacy Chabert brilliantly captures the ongoing sorrow of widowhood while the world continues on without her husband. She isn’t just an uptight city woman or a country girl in love with Christmas. There is more depth to her character than we sometimes get from these holiday romances¹.

Lacy Chabert beautifully captures the closing stages of grief and the slow process of moving forward, but not forgetting.

There are some obvious tells of grief, the house falling into a state of disrepair, concerns about finances and the diner she runs. But those external signs just add to Chabert’s excellent performance. Without them, you would still understand a grief and a distance from the world that her character carries from her portrayal alone.

And no magical living snowman is going to suddenly fix all that. That is one of the beautiful aspects of this film. She isn’t rushed into the romance, she doesn’t immediately open up. It all takes time. It feels natural and compelling.

The on screen chemistry between these two definitely enhanced the quality of the movie, too. Milligan and Chabert are excellent together, and I would gladly watch another rom-com with the two of them!

That’s to say nothing of the sheriff, his deputy, and the rest of the townspeople. All give spectacular, delightful performances that left me laughing, crying, and ultimately hopeful for humanity.

Now, as to audience, this isn’t exactly like the typical G-rated Hallmark movies. It is definitely still PG, but there are more innuendos and other related references that are typically cut from those Hallmark movies. In my opinion, anyone who is open to a good holiday rom-com is sure to love this movie.

So with that, I am pleased to kick off the holiday season! Hot Frosty is certified awesome!

1. Don’t get me wrong, I love those cliche holiday romances, too. There’s just something special about movies that have more meaning beyond the cliches.