My Secret Santa (2025)

Worldwide, in the month of December, as the year nears completion, many of us turn reflective about how our lives unfolded over the past year. For quite a few, it may not have gone the way we hoped. To stay positive and recharge ourselves for the year ahead, we often look for simple inspiration. One easy escape is a dose of festive fantasy. That is the space Christmas movies usually fill. My Secret Santa (2025) fits squarely into that slot. I only wish it had done more with the opportunity. Mangoidiots rates the film a Raw.

Taylor Jacobson is a single mother who loses her job just as the Christmas season begins. As she struggles to make ends meet, her young daughter’s ski academy fees suddenly come up. Desperate for work, she disguises herself as Santa Claus and takes up a job at a fancy resort. There, she ends up falling in love with the owner’s son. Whether she gets exposed and whether the two finally come together form the rest of the story.

The transformation of Alexandra Breckenridge, aided by prosthetics, costume, beard, and voice work, is genuinely impressive. The effort she puts into the role is clearly visible, and she deserves credit for committing fully to it. Ryan Eggold, known from New Amsterdam, does his part well. Tia Mowry from Family Reunion is fine as the resort’s general manager, even though the role itself does not offer much depth.

The film begins on a decent note. Once the initially ridiculous premise settles in, it should have picked up pace. Instead, it starts losing steam. After the lead pair begin seeing each other, the narrative drifts without direction, only to arrive at an unsatisfying climax. What could have been a warm, silly festive watch ends up feeling flat.