A new Netflix holiday rom-com, 'A Merry Little Ex-Mas,' stars Alicia Silverstone as an environmentalist who champions green living amid family tensions. The film subtly weaves in messages about sustainable practices like composting and solar energy. It culminates in a community crisis that highlights the value of eco-friendly preparedness.
'A Merry Little Ex-Mas,' released on Netflix, presents a familiar holiday romance but with a strong undercurrent of environmental advocacy. Alicia Silverstone portrays Kate, an architect who has embraced a sustainable lifestyle after moving to the small town of Winterlight with her doctor husband, Everett. Separated for months, Kate focuses on practices such as composting, buying secondhand items, and crafting ornaments from recycled materials. Her family views these habits as excessive, including her choice of a live Christmas tree that sequesters carbon.
The story unfolds during the holiday season, where Kate's quirks draw teasing from loved ones. She earns the nickname 'Al' from Everett, referencing Al Gore, underscoring her environmental passion. Conversations touch on advanced topics: Kate suggests a heat pump to a neighbor with a broken furnace, and one of her fathers-in-law inquires about geothermal energy.
A pivotal windstorm disrupts Winterlight, cutting power to the town. Kate's home, dubbed 'The Mothership'—a Victorian equipped with solar panels and batteries—remains operational, serving as a refuge for neighbors. This resilience shifts perceptions, as her family acknowledges her influence; her children credit her passion for inspiring their ambitions.
In the end, Kate forgoes a return to her Boston career to launch a local sustainability firm in Winterlight, embracing the motto of 'think global, act local.' While the romance with Everett feels secondary, a subplot involving Kate's fling, Chet—a versatile local volunteer—adds charm. Critics note the film's appeal lies in validating eco-conscious viewers, portraying a world where green choices prove rewarding. As one reviewer observed, it offers 'cozy wish fulfillment for people who care about the planet.'
The movie avoids direct mentions of climate change but embeds sustainability throughout, from critiquing energy-intensive decorations—prompting Kate's quip, 'I can hear the polar ice caps melting!'—to celebrating community support.
