2022’s TV Christmas movie season is kicking off the season with Hallmark’s offering of Noel Next Door.
Noel Next Door (2022) TV Film Review
Working hard trying to settle into a new home without the support of the family she had with her now ex, Noelle (Natalie Hall) focuses on only one man: her son. Planning to be single for a while, Noelle keeps coincidentally running to a man who seems nice, kind and like someone she could get to know. What she doesn’t know is he might not be who she expects.
Jeremy (Corey Sevier) moves into a new place where he finds his neighbors more than a little annoying. Especially the local leader in charge of decorating their community. He finds all the kids who bother him with their carols and soccer balls more annoying. This year, Jeremy seems to be the neighborhood grinch no one likes.
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No secret is made of the fact that I’m not into Christmas movies before those beautiful leaves hit the ground. Yet of course, here I am watching one. Partly out of curiosity (about the 2022 Christmas movie) and partly because it’s part of my work and research for content purposes. Featuring Natalie Hall and Corey Sevier, both of whom are familiar and likable in good roles, this film ruins its likability to some extent.
The script has two to three very specific references that lean into progressive messaging or as everything now is, we can also argue, it’s political. I’m not one who cannot laugh at “jokes” or politics, but coming in this climate from a network that formerly just put out fun, it’s very obvious given all the other changes Hallmark has made recently. All of this means this is intentional. My opinion is likely unpopular, but like anything I write about, it’s honest in being where I’m at.
There’s still some nice moments, especially between the two lead actors. There’s good in that and of course, there is lots of twinkle lights and snowfall too. The story has some unique differentials which helps it stand out a little, including the backstory of Jeremy (and darker elements of this). Another thing that’s wise is the leads getting to know each other outside of the opinions of others. This and the backstory is probably the strongest part of the film.
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Content: There isn’t anything I can think of to note that breaks the TV-G rating. Note: there will probably be some “issue” either way about the adult/child interaction and while I always place more weight on the adult *because* they’re the adult, the child in this scenario does do things he shouldn’t when he lies to his parent about the events.
Photos: Hallmark Channel / Crown Media
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