My Secret Santa (2025) Review — A Cozy Holiday Rom-Com With Heart, Humor, and a Sweet Disguise Twist

The holiday lineup on Netflix just got a warm, cinnamon-scented upgrade with My Secret Santa, released December 3, 2025.

Directed by Michael Rohl (The Princess Switch), this festive romantic comedy stars Alexandra Breckenridge, Ryan Eggold, and Tia Mowry, delivering comfort, charm, and just enough chaos to feel like a true Christmas classic in the making.

If you’re hunting for your next cozy December movie night, this is the one everyone is talking about.

My Secret Santa (2025) review, cast, plot breakdown, critic reactions, IMDb score, ending tone, and where to watch. Stream this Christmas rom-com starring Alexandra Breckenridge and Ryan Eggold now on Netflix.

🎄 A Holiday Premise With a Hilariously Heartfelt Twist

After losing her job right before Christmas, Taylor Jacobson (Breckenridge) — a hardworking single mom — will do anything to keep the holiday spirit alive for her daughter.

And “anything” includes disguising herself as an elderly male Santa to land a job at a local ski resort.

Yes, the beard, the padding, the voice — all of it.

But things get complicated fast when:

• The resort manager starts getting suspicious

• Taylor keeps juggling her two identities

• And she begins catching feelings for the resort owner’s handsome son, Matthew Layne (Ryan Eggold)

It’s Tootsie meets The Santa Clause meets a cup of hot cocoa.

❤️ Performances — Alexandra Breckenridge Shines in Dual Roles

Breckenridge (Virgin River fans, rejoice!) goes full holiday chameleon here, switching between:

• Taylor, the charming but stressed single mom

• “Hugh Mann,” the elderly Santa alter ego

• And a traditional Santa for resort events

Not many actors have to play three versions of the same character in one movie — but she nails it with warmth, comedy, and surprising emotional depth.

Ryan Eggold brings an earnest, grounded charm that balances Breckenridge’s energetic performance perfectly. Their chemistry is sweet, slow-building, and unmistakably Christmassy.

Add in Tia Mowry as Natasha — Taylor’s supportive, hilarious, no-nonsense best friend — and you’ve got a cast that feels like a warm hug.

🎬 Tone & Highlights — What Makes This Rom-Com Work

My Secret Santa succeeds because it understands the assignment:

✔ Heartfelt mother-daughter moments

✔ A festive small-town ski resort aesthetic

✔ A light mystery vibe as Taylor hides her identity

✔ Romantic tension that feels classic, not cliché

✔ Comedy that actually lands, especially during the Santa shenanigans

The film also touches on relatable themes:

• Reinvention

• Single-parent resilience

• Holiday pressure

• Learning to ask for help

It’s sweet without being syrupy — which is rare in the holiday rom-com genre.

📊 Audience Reception — What Viewers Are Saying

• IMDb: 5.9/10 (early rating — typical for new holiday films)

• Fans praise the warm romance, Alexandra’s comedic timing, and the fun disguise plot

• Some viewers want a bit more depth in secondary characters, but overall reactions lean positive and cozy

This film was built for fans of:

• Virgin River

• The Princess Switch

• Falling for Christmas

• Single All the Way

• And classic Hallmark-style holiday comfort movies

If “light but lovable” is your Christmas movie vibe, this one fits perfectly.

🎁 Where to Watch My Secret Santa

You can stream My Secret Santa exclusively on Netflix, available worldwide as of December 3, 2025.

Streaming details:

• Platform: Netflix

• Runtime: 92 minutes

• Rating: Family-friendly with romantic themes

🎞️ Final Verdict — Should You Watch It?

Absolutely — especially if you love feel-good holiday movies.

My Secret Santa isn’t trying to reinvent the Christmas rom-com, but it polishes the formula with:

✨ A charming cast

✨ A unique double-identity twist

✨ Warm, emotional storytelling

✨ Snowy resort vibes that feel holiday-perfect

It’s funny, it’s sweet, and it’s a perfect December comfort watch.

Whether you’re bingeing seasonal romances or just need a festive movie to end your night with a smile, this one delivers.