Christmas movies are a delicate ecosystem. Lean too far into sweetness and you get Hallmark syrup. Lean too far into chaos and you lose all warmth. Oh, What Fun somehow threads this impossible needle, offering a festive romp that is genuinely earnest, wonderfully chaotic, and refreshingly devoid of cynicism. It feels like a semi-classic in the making — mostly because it centers the one person who truly makes the holiday magic happen: the mom.
⭐ Oh, What Fun Review — Michelle Pfeiffer Shines as a Mom Pushed to Her Limit
Michelle Pfeiffer stars as Claire Clauster, the quietly heroic matriarch who spends every Christmas holding her chaotic clan together with a combination of love, labor, and last-minute crisis management. But after planning the perfect family outing, her family makes the unforgivable mistake: they forget her. Completely.
Fed up, Claire abandons her usual role as the holiday glue and sets off on her own spontaneous adventure through the city. Meanwhile, her frantic husband (Denis Leary) and their adult children scatter in panic trying to find her.
It’s a simple premise, but the execution is where the film sparkles. The story feels chaotic and whimsical, even if the central hook takes a while to fully kick in. Once it does, the movie becomes a roller coaster of humor, emotional beats, and Christmas magic.
Pfeiffer is phenomenal. She grounds the film with a multilayered performance, effortlessly shifting between comedy, heartbreak, and steely determination. It’s one of her warmest roles in years.
⭐ A Murderer’s Row of Supporting Talent
The supporting cast packs more power than most Christmas ensembles:
- Dominic Sessa (The Holdovers) steals scenes as Sammy, delivering physical comedy and earnest charm in equal measure.
- Kiernan Shipka is hilarious as Taylor, bringing sharp comedic timing.
- Jason Schwartzman adds his signature dry wit as Doug.
- Aja Naomi King and Danielle Brooks both elevate their roles with warmth and charisma.
- Felicity Jones starts flat but gradually delivers a touching emotional payoff.
- Joan Chen, as the intimidating matriarch of the rival Wang-Wasserman family, is an absolute delight.
If anyone is underused, it’s comedian Zack Woods, whose brief cameo feels like a missed opportunity for a bigger comedic punch.
⭐ A Stylishly Crafted Holiday Treat
Director Michael Showalter and cinematographer Jim Frohna make bold stylistic choices that give the film a fresh visual identity. Among the highlights:
- Playful stop-motion sequences that add a whimsical, nostalgic touch
- Clever framing that echoes classic Christmas comedies
- A warm color palette that feels festive without being overly polished
Nothing feels cheap or rushed — the movie embraces its stylized holiday chaos with confidence.
The score by Siddhartha Khosla is another standout, swelling emotionally at just the right moments without tipping into melodrama.
⭐ A Heartfelt Ode to Mothers Everywhere
What truly elevates Oh, What Fun is its emotional honesty. The film gently acknowledges the invisible labor of mothers — the planners, the organizers, the people who quietly hold an entire holiday together while rarely being thanked.
Yet it never becomes preachy or bitter. Instead, it wraps these realities in humor and warmth. Every character, no matter how small their role, receives a meaningful arc. The film understands the specific madness of a holiday with family — the yelling, the misunderstandings, the love buried under chaos — and turns it into something deeply relatable.
⭐ Is Oh, What Fun Worth Watching?
Absolutely.
Oh, What Fun is a fast-paced, heartfelt, and genuinely funny Christmas crowd-pleaser that feels tailor-made for annual rewatches. It balances chaos and charm with surprising finesse and delivers a message that hits home without ever losing its spark.
It’s the kind of movie that makes you laugh at the absurdity of family life — and might even remind you to thank your mom before the credits roll.
Oh, What Fun releases on Prime Video this December.
