‘CHRISTMAS ON DUTY’: A HATE TO MORE STORY TROPE
The military is in the spotlight in the latest Countdown to Christmas romance, which is Christmas on Duty. It’s also a story that uses the enemies-to-more trope, and it is dang cute while doing so. In this story we meet Blair (Janel Parrish), an intelligent top-of-her-class Marine who, after graduating, earns a job her acumen makes her well qualified for. Trouble is, her academic rival Josh (Parker Young) wanted that job. Now, a few years later, they meet again and this time they end up having to spend time together when, after an argument, their superior pairs them to work Christmas Duty together.
This year that means they must find a way to outwit a snowstorm and deliver the base Christmas presents!
‘CHRISTMAS ON DUTY’: A HATE TO MORE STORY TROPE. Review of the latest #JanelParrish rom-com from #Hallmark! #CountdowntoChristmas Share on XChristmas on Duty (2025) Hallmark Film Review
Seeing a Christmas movie that has one of my favorite new(er) stars headlining is always something I anticipate. This is one such film. Janel Parrish (we know her famously from her TV work in Pretty Little Liars) has been a favorite since she starred in Holly and Ivy. Whether it’s a mystery or cute seasonal flick, I’ve enjoyed many of her titles. This one is the same. It’s also very limiting since the majority of Christmas on Duty is just Blair and Josh stuck together, but the film still manages to be appropriately cheerful. Further fun is knowing that the script writer, Alexis Siegel is a newcomer to the genre (hooray for new talent).
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The movie, like nearly anything else on this channel this time of year is sure to make you smile at the very least, and for some, it will leave you ideally happy by credit’s end. As someone who comes from a cinematic era of opening credits, the 40-second opening made me happening. The cast is pretty solid, and I did enjoy the funny banter we are “stuck” with since the weather confines the characters. Them each having strengths is nice, too. Even without the benefit of “freedom” that takes the viewer to different places or different festive Christmas sweaters, this movie still manages to twinkle and is as cute as its promotional material implies.
Stream, at publication, Christmas on Duty exclusively next-day on Hallmark+
Photos: Hallmark Media
Content: This one is TV-G and is in the same kind of normal range of content as any TV-G movie.
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