A new British Christmas crime thriller on Netflix is proving to be a major festive surprise, rocketing up the streamer's popularity charts after its debut. Jingle Bell Heist landed on the platform on November 26 and has quickly captivated audiences with its blend of heist action and unexpected narrative turns.
A Festive Heist with Personal Stakes
The film stars Connor Swindells of Sex Education fame and Olivia Holt from Cloak & Dagger. They play Nick and Sophie, two individuals facing tough times who conspire to rob the luxurious London department store, Sterlings, on Christmas Eve. Their motivations, however, are deeply personal. Sophie is a low-level store employee struggling to care for her sick mother, while Nick seeks revenge after being stiffed on payment for his work on the store's CCTV and security systems.
The trailer sets the stakes clearly: £500,000 is sitting in the office of the store's owner, Maxwell Sterling, played by Peter Serafinowicz (Shaun of the Dead). The cast is rounded out by Lucy Punch (Motherland) as Cynthia Hanson.
Viewers Praise the Clever Twists
The reaction on social media, particularly on X, has been overwhelmingly positive, with many viewers highlighting the film's clever construction. One fan admitted, 'Jingle Bell Heist has no reason being as good and clever of a movie as it is. It seemed like a cheesy Netflix movie – um, it’s so much more, there’s some good twists!'
Another simply stated, 'Definitely didn’t see that plot twist coming,' while a third appreciated the mix of genres, calling it 'a cute Christmas heist movie. The plot twist. Little bit of romance, comedy and crime.' This word-of-mouth buzz appears to be a key driver behind its rapid rise on Netflix.
Critical Reception and Creative Team
On the critical front, the film is holding its own with a 69% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating a generally favourable reception. The story was penned by New York Times bestselling author Abby McDonald and directed by Michael Fimognari.
In related festive viewing news, a very different Christmas film is set to air on Freeview channel Great Christmas this December. The 2019 romantic comedy-drama 12 Pups of Christmas, which will screen at 5.30pm on Christmas Day, has been branded a 'trash masterpiece' by some. With an IMDb score of just 3.9/10, it sits at the lower end of the channel's 197-movie festive lineup but has garnered a cult following for its chaotic, fun energy.
