Christmas Pop-Up (2026)

-Written by Kyle Bain. 

2026 AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!

If you’re looking for a Hallmark-esque holiday rom-com, then Christmas Pop-Up is just the film for you. If you typically struggle with films of this nature, then buckle up, because you’re in for something that has the potential to antagonize from the start. 

When an interior decorator, Fran (Geena Pietromonaco), looks to make a change in her life, hoping to escape the prison of living with her ex-boyfriend and his soon-to-be fiancée, she begins working for renowned chef Will (Zach Gilford). What begins as a turbulent work relationship quickly blossoms into something warm, charming, and perfect for the holiday season.

• Step 1 - Girl meets boy. 

• Step 2 - Girl and boy struggle to find any common ground.

• Step 3 - A random coincidence sparks a romantic relationship. 

• Step 4 - Girl and boy live happily ever after. 

You’ve seen it before, and Christmas Pop-Up isn’t much different from the other films existing within this subgenre of film. I have yet to get over the general appeal of films like this. The narrative is often shallow, lacking any real depth; the characters rarely receive any love from the writers or directors (causing them, too, to fall flat and lack development); the events are often so far-fetched that it’s nearly impossible for viewers to truly believe the things that are happening before them on screen. In many ways, Christmas Pop-Up is the same. 

What’s interesting, however, is that I didn’t often feel that I was drudging through this film the way that I have with similar projects. 

There’s something in the charisma of both Pietromonaco and Gilford that was able to reel me into the film and keep me present throughout. The script sometimes provides these actors with meaningless dialogue, and I suppose that’s to be expected; however, both actors approach these roles with a level of gusto that transcends the silliness ingrained in films of this nature. These two have chemistry, a chemistry that allows their scenes to feel genuine. This connection never subsides, and even in the cheesier moments of this production, viewers are able to, at the very least, appreciate what these two bring to the table. 

Furthermore, vibrant, meaningful sets bring Christmas Pop-Up to life, in part. Rather than overexaggerated, aesthetically abrasive sets, Christmas Pop-Up presents viewers with something that mirrors the aforementioned performance: grounded, accessible, and authentic. The semi-reserved nature of the set design lends itself to authenticity—further leading to something that viewers can care about. By this aspect of Christmas Pop-Up remaining reserved, Director Molly Muse creates something far more meaningful than expected. 

It’s hard to go into a film such as Christmas Pop-Up, one in which you feel you are well aware of its trajectory—and you’re none too thrilled about those expectations—and enjoy watching. This film, however, was able to subvert some of my expectations, and actually entertain me to a degree. It’s primarily the performances of Gilford and Pietromonaco that appealed to me and provided me a reason to remain engaged. Christmas Pop-Up may just be the best film of the genre that I’ve ever seen, and while it’s still not necessarily my cup of tea, I can appreciate this film, which is far more than I anticipated. 

Directed by Molly Muse. 

Written by Geena Pietromonaco. 

Starring Zach Gilford, Geena Pietromonaco, Mano Agapion, Ayanna Berkshire, Adam Tapp, Lily Davis, etc. 

6/10 = WATCH IT FOR FREE