Jingle Bell Heist: A Christmas Caper That Misses the Mark
A Christmas heist film sounds like a festive winner, but Jingle Bell Heist stumbles at every turn. Find out why this much-hyped Netflix original leaves punters cold.
Festive Promises, Flat Delivery
On paper, the idea of a Christmas-themed heist flick should be a sure-fire crowd-pleaser. Yet, what’s delivered is a far cry from the clever caper the title suggests. Instead, what unfolds is more in line with the sort of formulaic romantic comedies that fill up the Hallmark schedule every December. The supposed heist is barely a blip, with the story leaning heavily into a by-the-numbers romance that never quite gets off the ground.
The plot centres on two strangers who decide to knock off London’s largest department store right in the thick of the silly season. Predictably, their criminal partnership soon turns into something more sentimental. While the premise hints at a blend of classic holiday hits, the execution is anything but fresh. The script, penned by Abby McDonald and Amy Reed, borrows liberally from the Richard Curtis playbook, but without any of the charm or wit that made his films memorable.
Romance Over Heist, But No Spark
Rather than focusing on the mechanics of the heist, the film is all about the budding relationship between the two leads, each weighed down by personal baggage—a sick mum for one, a custody battle for the other. The result is a heavy-handed sentimentality that drowns out any potential for genuine emotion. The story plods along a well-worn path, with a so-called twist in the final act that’s so obvious you’ll see it coming before the halfway mark. Every attempt at tugging the heartstrings falls flat, leaving the whole thing feeling a bit half-baked.
It doesn’t help that the chemistry between the leads is non-existent. Connor Swindells, who’s shown plenty of talent elsewhere, seems lost here, while Olivia Holt’s performance feels dialled in from the start. Together, they’re about as convincing as a pair of mannequins in a shop window. The supporting cast, including Lucy Punch and Peter Serafinowicz, do their best, but there’s only so much you can do with material this limp.
Energy Crisis in a Christmas Caper
What’s most baffling is the complete lack of energy. You’d expect a film that combines festive cheer with a daring robbery to have a bit of zip, but this one just plods along. The setting—a generic department store decked out for Christmas—does nothing to lift the mood, and the direction is as uninspired as the script. There’s no flair in the camerawork or production design, and the editing and soundtrack are as bland as a day-old mince pie.
Heist films usually rely on style and momentum to keep things moving, but here, everything feels static and lifeless. It’s a romantic comedy by numbers, with none of the sparkle or spirit you’d hope for from a holiday release. Even the most forgiving viewers will struggle to find much to enjoy.
Streaming, But Not Worth the Time
In the end, this is one of those Netflix originals that makes you question your subscription choices. It’s a mishmash of the worst bits of Hallmark Christmas fare and the most tired tropes of British rom-coms, all wrapped up in a package that feels more like a chore than a treat. If you’re looking for something to watch with the family this festive season, you might want to give this one a miss. Even if it’s included with your phone plan, your time’s probably better spent elsewhere.