Netflix Brings the Holiday Cheer with Hot Frosty 

By Naomi Fraser

The holidays are officially here, and what better way to celebrate than with a heartwarming Christmas rom-com? So, grab your favorite blanket and a steaming mug of cocoa, and join me for a review of Netflix’s latest holiday hit, Hot Frosty—a film sure to bring plenty of seasonal cheer. 

Hot Frosty is a Christmas rom-com centered on Kathy (Lacey Chabert), a recently widowed café owner, struggling to move forward with her life. While she spends most of her time caring for her community, she can’t seem to find the motivation to care for herself. Therefore, when a friend gives her a scarf that will supposedly lead her toward love, Kathy nonchalantly places it around a snow sculpture of a man. Much to her surprise, the snowman, Jack (Dustin Milligan), comes to life. As Jack and Kathy navigate this bizarre circumstance, Jack adds a little magic to Kathy’s life and helps her re-open her heart to the possibility of love. 

While I was hesitant going in, I really enjoyed Hot Frosty. Like any good Christmas rom-com, it balances humor and warmth and leaves audiences grinning from ear to ear. The film especially excels at creating characters who feel relatable and easy to root for, with Kathy being the standout example. From the beginning, her struggles resonate deeply—How do you carry on after a devastating loss? 

Yet, despite her emotional turmoil, Kathy continues to show up for her community, going out of her way to care for neighbors, friends, and even strangers. The grief and generosity within Kathy evoke empathy from viewers and establish her as someone to root for. We invest in her personal growth and cheer as we watch her move from a place of grief and isolation to one where she can experience the same love and joy she so freely gives others.

Jack is another character who is easy to love. The snowman-turned-man embodies warmth, joy, and fun. New to life, he approaches the world with childlike wonder, finding excitement in the things we often take for granted. His presence lights up the town and begins to chip away at the walls around Kathy’s heart. The relationship between him and Kathy feels heartfelt and authentic, filled with warmth and tenderness that kept me smiling throughout the film.

As every good rom-com needs protagonists who make us smile, they also need antagonists who make us groan. Sheriff Hunter (Craig Robinson) fits the latter role perfectly. During Jack’s first few minutes of being human, he inadvertently commits two petty crimes that draw the ire of the self-important Sheriff Hunter. Though he lacks evidence, Hunter assumes Jack is the culprit and fixates on arresting the man. While Robinson’s performance occasionally feels over-the-top in its pursuit of laughs, he excels at portraying the sheriff’s obnoxious, overzealous personality. His relentless obsession with Jack is equally maddening for the audience and the characters, but that’s part of the fun. Rooting against a villain who adds a playful layer of conflict is just as enjoyable as rooting for the protagonists we love.

The themes woven throughout Hot Frosty also contribute to the film’s charm. One message I gathered while watching is the importance of making the most of the time we have left. Jack, who retains his snowman-like qualities despite appearing human, constantly faces the threat of melting. Unsure of how much longer he’ll be around, he dedicates his time to helping Kathy and the townspeople in meaningful ways. 

The film also explores the journey of healing from loss and reopening oneself to love. One thing that stands out is the nuanced way Hot Frosty prioritizes self-love over romance. The story emphasizes that Kathy must first learn to love and value herself before she can embark on a romantic relationship with Jack. This thoughtful approach sidesteps the cliché of portraying romance as a magical solution to personal struggles. Instead, the writers offer a more authentic and heartfelt depiction of Kathy’s growth, making her journey deeply relatable and satisfying.

Funny, sweet, and uplifting, Hot Frosty is a great rom-com to ring in the holiday season. While a few logistical plot holes (such as the inconsistencies surrounding what Jack does and does not understand about the human world) may elicit an eyebrow raise here and there, the film’s overall charm still comes out on top. So, if you’re looking for a heartwarming story with plenty of laughs and a touch of holiday magic, I recommend adding Hot Frosty to your list.