Our Little Secret review – Lindsay Lohan’s Netflix comedy is a minor win
Lindsay Lohan's comeback, where she reestablishes herself as a film star instead of a figure of tabloid ridicule, happened at the same time as Netflix’s yearly transformation into a go-to source for lighthearted holiday entertainment that’s simple to produce and quickly consumed. This move was both clever and low-pressure, providing her with plenty of visibility. Her first main role in nearly ten years, the 2022 film *Falling into Christmas*, was an obvious success amid the streamer’s festive offerings.
It hardly mattered that the film wasn’t that great; it wasn't meant to be a masterpiece. What really stood out was that Lohan still had the same charm that initially captured audiences. However, her next project with Netflix, the truly terrible "Irish Wish," made her connection with the streaming service feel less like a fresh start and more like a lengthy delay, keeping her in a situation she needed to escape from (the upcoming "Freaky Friday" sequel should help her break free). Her third and final film with Netflix is the best of the bunch, but that’s mainly because expectations were so low that they were almost invisible—not just for her latest work, but also in comparison to Netflix's holiday offerings overall.
To its credit, Our Little Secret feels less like just another rehash of the typical Hallmark formula and more like an effort to capture the style of sharper comedy from the 2000s. It echoes films like Meet the Parents and Four Christmases, and it’s directed by Stephen Herek, who was active during that era and has worked with stars such as Mark Wahlberg, Angelina Jolie, and Tommy Lee Jones. While it doesn’t have the high gloss or edgy humor of last year’s surprise hit Anyone But You, it aims at the same crowd—those who enjoyed romantic comedies with a bit more ambition growing up. Like many of its predecessors, the story is built around a lie, and similar to Anyone But You, it’s crafted in such a way that you can’t help but wonder why the characters even bothered to deceive each other in the first place.
The story begins in 2014 with Avery (Lohan) and her boyfriend Logan (Ian Harding) in the midst of a heated argument on their way to her surprise farewell party. Avery is set to move to London, and in a last-ditch effort to change her mind, Logan proposes to her. She turns him down, and he storms away. Fast forward ten years, and both Avery and Logan are in new relationships, heading off for a holiday trip. This will be the first time they meet their partners' parents, but in a surprising turn of events, they discover that they will be spending Christmas with the same family. It turns out that their partners are siblings. After a confused discussion filled with questions, they agree to keep their past relationship a secret from everyone.
The choice they make might not seem logical, but it takes the duo on a wild ride involving accidentally eating weed gummies, pretending to pump a dog's stomach, underage drinking, blackmail, and awkward church speeches. While the humor doesn't quite hit the mark—it's not particularly funny—the film still manages to be somewhat enjoyable due to its fast pacing and enthusiastic cast. It features more talent than what we usually see in this kind of movie, including former Saturday Night Live stars Tim Meadows, Chris Parnell, and Jon Rudnitsky, along with Judy Reyes from Scrubs and Birth/Rebirth, Dan Bucatinsky from Scandal and The Comeback, Henry Czerny from Mission: Impossible, and particularly, Kristin Chenoweth. The Wicked star plays a sharp-tongued mother inspired by reality TV, and she consistently elevates the movie whenever she appears, fitting perfectly into her role. Having previously starred in festive comedies like Netflix's Holidate and Four Christmases, she brings an extra spark to what can often be a generic film.
Lohan and Harding are quite good at exchanging witty remarks, with Harding showing a charm reminiscent of Seth MacFarlane that really shines here. However, the screenplay by newcomer Hailey DeDominicis lacks the cleverness and originality needed to fully showcase their talents. As we wrap up this year, I sincerely hope that no future comedy, especially in 2025, leans on the tired trope of a character accidentally overeating edibles. This cliché not only feels overly done but also perpetuates the idea that cannabis is some kind of frightening hallucinogenic substance. Instead, it might be more enjoyable to munch on some gummies while watching Our Little Secret, a fairly decent holiday comedy that could use a little more pizzazz.
You can now watch Our Little Secret on Netflix!
