Left under the tree like the present you never knew you needed, Your Christmas Or Mine 2 brings holiday rom-com cheer to November in this lovable sequel to last year’s surprise Prime Video smash. Nearly everyone that made the first movie great returns both in front of and behind the camera, led once again by Asa Butterfield (Netflix’s Sex Education, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children) and Cora Kirk (Prey for the Devil, After Everything). The rest of the cast is comprised of a variety of excellent UK talent, including David Bradley, Daniel Mays, Angela Griffin, and many more. Your Christmas Or Mine 2 does not rehash the same plot of the first movie; instead, it presents an organic evolution of characters we have grown to love, and a return to the cheeky humor.
It’s Christmas Eve… Eve once again, and James (Butterfield) and Hayley (Kirk) aren’t about to make the same mistakes as they did last year. They meet together with families at the airport, en route to an exciting destination. James’ father has invited the Taylors along on a stunning retreat, complete with an apartment suite, a massive pool, and a welcoming skybar. This quaint spot in the Austrian Alps has been orchestrated so both parties can get to know his father’s new prim and proper American girlfriend (Jane Krakowski) a bit better.
Sadly missing this time around is Lucien Laviscount’s Steve, Hayley’s former fiancé in the previous film. Not to worry though—the script from Tom Perry leaves plenty of hardships for Hayley and James to face without Steve stumbling into the mix. The two families this time end up with their correct respective units, only the Taylors get the luxury lodgings whilst the Hughes family must sequester in a dingy rundown spot without cell service. To make matters worse, a blizzard rolls in, suspending transportation in or out of either locale. James’ old flame shows up to spark trouble in the budding couple’s relationship, and the prospect of a looming engagement spells trouble over the proceedings.
Some genuinely incredible films take years or even decades to get a sequel, and even more are never sequelized at all. The fact that just one year later, Your Christmas Or Mine 2 arrives primed for the holiday season is a testament to the entire cast and crew. It must have been a lightning-fast turnaround, but the final product thankfully never feels rushed. Throwbacks to the first movie are aplenty. The Hughes family hilariously still refers to James as Gilet, his gay former faux identity from the last time he and Hayley were separated across locations. One thing I wish had been further explored was the passing of James’ mother; in the first film, Humphrey (Alex Jennings) states that he visits his wife’s grave every Christmas Eve without fail, and it would have felt special to have this revisited, particularly in the wake of his newfangled relationship.
The different familial pairings present new dynamics our characters must face. A refreshing approach this time around finds both Hayley and James bonding more with their own families, and the story actually allows the couple more time onscreen together than the first movie. The prospect of bringing one’s own traditions to the forefront wherever they are in the world is a sweet one indeed. This in particular feels like a vital takeaway of Your Christmas Or Mine 2–our traditions are what bond us to one another.
Most of these Christmas movies feel pretty similar to one another, and Your Christmas Or Mine 2 admittedly follows a predictable path of Yuletide joy. At the very least, it forms a complete picture, making for an excellent companion piece to 2022’s Your Christmas Or Mine?. The storyline seems decidedly less bizarre, but at least they have not just copied and pasted what came before. If this becomes a yearly holiday tradition, judging by the ending, I would happily watch a Your Christmas Or Mine 3! A perfect pairing with a warm glass of hot cocoa, Your Christmas Or Mine 2 sweetens last year’s deal with a dollop of sugary whip cream comfort food the whole family can enjoy.
Your Christmas Or Mine 2 speeds down the slopes of Prime Video, premiering in the UK on Friday December 8th.
