The made-for-TV holiday film has become a ‘hallmark’ of the holiday season. Cable stations dedicate months worth of their programming to have them playing 24/7. Even if you have not sought them out, you have most likely seen one of these films in the background when you visit relatives over the holiday. You probably know the formula: a small town that goes all out for the holidays, a meet-cute with a stranger, and all of the family-friendly romance that will fit under the tree. You might look at Christmas with the Campbells as one of those films, but looks can be deceiving.  

Christmas with the Campbells plays into the formula of the the genre, but adds a sexual comedy twist that is surprising and refreshing. The film does a wonderful job of staying in the holiday film formula while still being a parody. The characters fit the stereotypes of the genre, and the actors in those roles lean into those stereotypes without going overboard. 

In Christmas with The Campbells, when Jesse gets dumped right before the holidays by her boyfriend Shawn, his parents convince her to still spend Christmas with them, and Shawn’s handsome cousin, while Shawn is away.

Brittany Snow (Pitch Perfect, X) gives the most straightforward performance of the cast. Snow plays Jess, as close to her counterparts in the films being parodied. This is wonderfully balanced by her romantic co-stars with their heightened performances.  Her snarky ex-boyfriend, played by Alex Moffat (Saturday Night Live) becomes more and more unlikeable each time he appears on the screen. Meanwhile, Shawn, the new love interest for Snow’s character, is a rugged cowboy played by Justin Long (Barbarian, Accepted). Long’s casting as a cowboy seems strange at first if you are familiar with his other work, but his charm and chemistry with Snow make you quickly realize why he is playing the romantic lead. 

The rest of the supporting cast are what really help drive the humor of the film. A majority of the jokes that make this film stand out from a standard holiday romantic film come from the titular Campbells, played by George Wendt (Cheers) and Julia Duffy(Newhart). Their scenes away from the main romantic plot stand alone as some of the funniest moments in the film.

Rorshach Rating:

Mental Health Moment:  The inciting incident of the film is Snow’s character, Jess, being broken up with days before the holidays.  Being alone on the holidays can be rough.  Whether you are recently single, live a long distance from your family and are unable to travel, or missing a loved one who has recently passed away, there are many things that can affect your enjoyment of the holiday season.  

There is no shame in sharing why you might not be in the most festive mood.  Be honest with those who care about you.  Tell them how you feel.  Sharing our feelings openly can be rough sometimes.  But when you share them with the right person, they may just embrace you like Campbells and help you make the best of the holiday season.

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Victims and Villains is written (and produced) by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey and others, and edited by Cam Smith. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. Christmas with the Campbells is property of We do not own nor claim any rights.

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