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The Noel Diary

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The Noel Diary review – a hollow romantic Christmas film with no chemistry

We review the Netflix film The Noel Diary, which does not contain spoilers.

The Christmas season brings some interesting concepts in the holiday setting, and The Noel Diary is fairly unique. When big-time author Jacob Turner ( Justin Hartley ) gets the call that his mother passed away, he returns to his hometown to gather her things.

When he gets there, he notices that a woman is waiting outside the house across the street. The woman approaches him and asks if he knows who her mother is because she has been trying to find her before she gets married.

The diary that is in the title of the film is Rachel’s ( Barrett Doss ) mom’s diary, and it explains how she had put her up for adoption because he got married out of wedlock. Her mom’s parents were against her raising the child, so she had to make a tough decision.

Rachel never knew her mom, so now she needed to find this missing piece before getting married. On this journey, the unlikely pair try to uncover more of Rachel’s story, as they go and ask the neighbors about what had happened all those years ago.

Along the way, she helps Jacob reconcile with his own father, as she finds her biological one.

This film does have its moments, but I do find it a bit odd that Rachel is so in love with her fiancé that she makes it a point to say it over dinner with Jacob. Naturally, as in all Christmas romantic comedies, the two of them start having romantic feelings for each other because they are working through tough, emotional situations with one another.

Instead of Rachel calling her fiancé and telling him about what’s happening, she refuses to answer him. It’s entirely possible to fall in love with someone, but this romantic film just isn’t believable enough to tell this story.

It happens in a short period of time, and infidelity is something that crosses a line in this film. It’s almost as cold as Jacob’s heart at the beginning of this film. They also do not have the best chemistry so it was a tough watch.

They tried to sell their odd little love story, but it doesn’t work as well as they would have hoped. Sure, Jacob softens up because he realizes life is short and there’s no need to waste it on negativity, which he learned from Rachel.

It has some sweet moments, but it doesn’t necessarily work because Hartley is a bit too detached from the role and doesn’t sell the romantic lead at all. Doss at least adds some spunk in her line delivery and actually shows some emotion when falling for Turner.

What did you think of the Netflix film The Noel Diary? Comment below.

Article by Amanda Guarragi

Amanda Guarragi joined Ready Steady Cut as an Entertainment Writer in June 2022. She is a Toronto-based film critic who has covered TIFF, Sundance Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, and HorrorFest International. Amanda is also a growing YouTuber, with her channel Candid Cinema growing in popularity.

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‘The Noel Diary’

Based on a novel by the bestselling author Richard Paul Evans — a master of holiday tales, best known for “The Christmas Box” — the romantic melodrama “The Noel Diary” sets itself apart from other “love blooms in late December” movies with its depth of detail. Justin Hartley doesn’t just play “a writer.” He’s Jake Turner, a mega-successful spy novelist who is handsome, witty and stubbornly alone. And Barrett Doss isn’t some generic jolt of positivity, sent to shake up the protagonist. She’s Rachel, a woman searching for her birth mother, Noel, who was Jake’s nanny when he was a toddler.

Further complex wrinkles ensue, as Jake and Rachel take a Christmastime road trip to sort out some of their old business, all while reading the journal Noel left at the Turner house decades ago, before tragedy tore that family apart. Accomplished director Charles Shyer (who also co-wrote the script with Rebecca Connor and David Golden) lets this story and the people in it develop naturally, never forcing conflicts or overplaying the diary gimmick. For the most part, this is a down-to-Earth kind of holiday romance, about fundamentally good people who are just a little broken inside.

“The Noel Diary” does eventually succumb to convention, as Jake has an overdue reunion with his estranged father and Rachel reckons with how an inconvenient fiancé complicates her affection for Jake. But overall, this picture is a refreshing alternative to the synthetic, simplistic Christmas movies that proliferate this time of year. Ditch the mistletoe and holly and it would still be a well-crafted, well-balanced character sketch, following two lost souls as they discover what they’ve been missing.

‘The Noel Diary.’ TV-PG for mild themes. 1 hour, 40 minutes. Available on Netflix

‘Falling for Christmas’

There’s only one real reason to see the holiday rom-com “Falling for Christmas,” and it’s not the plot, which is an unimaginative retread of the “self-centered aristocrat gets humbled” premise, following a vain influencer who develops amnesia and relearns how to be a real person while regaining her memory. There’s no reason to watch it for the festive trappings either, given that the movie is set in the same kind of quaint wintry locale — a ski town, in this case — that provides a backdrop for most of these kinds of films.

No, “Falling for Christmas” is all about its star, Lindsay Lohan, who brings every bit of her earthy charisma to a rare leading role. She plays the influencer, Sierra, an heiress with an insipid boyfriend/manager, Tad (George Young). When the two of them tumble off a mountain during a picturesque, Instagram-ready engagement announcement, he ends up getting lost in the woods while she is found by Jake (Chord Overstreet), a widower who runs a small, old-fashioned lodge that has been struggling in the shadow of Sierra’s father’s nearby luxury hotel. Unable to recall who she is, she becomes Jake’s employee — and a mother-figure to his young daughter.

This picture is predictable even by the formulaic standard of Christmas movies, with the characters rushing through plot-points that borrow liberally from “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34th Street.” But the overall mood is warm and cheery, and Lohan brings a spontaneous sincerity to even the corniest scenes. The movie’s wrapping is shiny and plastic, but its star quality is genuine.

‘Falling for Christmas.’ TV-PG for fear. 1 hour, 35 minutes. Available on Netflix

‘Christmas With You’

Like most holiday-themed TV movies, “Christmas With You” has a laborious setup, with multiple plot contrivances working to dislodge the heroine from her rut and get her to the place where she can recover her Christmas spirit. Once the story really gets going, though, it’s a low-key charmer, aided immeasurably by the performances of Aimee Garcia as a soul-sick middle-aged pop star named Angelina and Freddie Prinze Jr. as Miguel, the small-town music teacher who helps her break her creative block and write a Christmas song.

Angelina finds her way to Miguel when his 15-year-old daughter Cristina (Deja Monique Cruz) covers one of her songs on a fan site. In need of an ego-boost, Angelina pays Cristina a visit, fleeing New York without telling her panicked record label or her needy ex-boyfriend. She winds up getting spiritually refreshed by spending time with a happy family — and reconnecting with her Latin roots.

“Christmas with You” tries too hard to create complications and to trot out one-dimensional villains, none of which are convincing. It’s obvious from the moment Angelina meets Miguel and Cristina that all of her problems — romantic, creative, career, you name it — have just been solved. Still, Garcia and Prinze are so likable that it’s satisfying to see them spend an hour or so of screen time figuring out what the audience knows right away.

‘Christmas with You’. TV-PG for substances. 1 hour, 30 minutes. Available on Netflix

‘A Christmas Story Christmas’

The 1983 holiday classic “A Christmas Story” is a riotously entertaining yet hard-to-replicate stew of heartwarming nostalgia, gentle social satire and broad slapstick, drawn from the memories of wry radio humorist Jean Shepherd . The sequel “A Christmas Story Christmas” can’t hit the original’s highs — and at times tries too hard to repeat the shtick that worked the first time — but it is trying something unexpected by catching up with Ralphie Parker more than 30 years later, as a fumbling family man in the early 1970s.

Peter Billingsley (who also co-produced the film and co-wrote the story) returns as Ralphie, who is an unpublished, unemployed science-fiction author living in Chicago when he gets the call that his father has died, and that he needs to return to Hohman, Ind., to help his mom (Julie Hagerty). A lack of funds and a series of mishaps keeps Ralphie and his wife, Sandy (Erinn Hayes), from delivering their kids the perfect Christmas they’d planned, but with the help of his old Hohman friends — played by the same actors as in the 1983 film — he’s able to channel the spirit of his dad and make the best of what he has.

This sequel could’ve been more rooted in 1973, in the way that the original draws knowingly on the pop culture of 1940. But like its predecessor, it is enjoyably episodic, jumping from one comic vignette to another. Some of these connect, while others land with a thud. But so it goes with Christmas. Not every present is a winner.

‘A Christmas Story Christmas’ PG, for language and some rude material/behavior. 1 hour, 41 minutes. Available on HBO Max

‘Santa Camp’

When it comes to long-running fantasy characters — and especially those beloved by children — fans can be stubbornly resistant to any effort to modernize, reimagine or in any way make these icons more representative of the broader population. The documentary “Santa Camp” is partly about the controversy that arises whenever a mall or a public event books a Santa Claus who doesn’t have the “traditional” appearance: white, tubby, bearded, aged and male. But director Nick Sweeney really only covers that story tangentially, while focusing more on the efforts of one Santa-training agency to diversify its graduating class. Sometimes challenging and frequently moving, this movie considers the deeper reasons why Santa Claus inspires people — historically and now — while reminding viewers that the only reason traditions are traditions is because someone did them once and then did them again. We can always create new ones.

‘Santa Camp.’ TV-MA, for language. 1 hour, 32 minutes. Available on HBO Max

Also on VOD

“One Delicious Christmas” is part of an expanded slate of Discovery+ holiday movies featuring guest appearances by venerable HGTV and Food Network personalities. This one has basic cable staple Bobby Flay playing a restaurant critic, whose harsh opinion of a Vermont inn’s food causes problems for its new owner, Abby (Vanessa Marano), who inherited the business — and its old-fashioned menu — from her dearly departed dad. Available on Discovery+

Available now on DVD and Blu-ray

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Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore relish the idea of a film with two key roles for women

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‘May December’ offends Mary Kay Letourneau’s former student and estranged husband: ‘a ripoff of my story’

Jan. 4, 2024

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The noel diary, common sense media reviewers.

Book-based melodrama tackles death, adoption, relationships.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

It is possible to learn from past mistakes and rec

Jake seeks real connection outside of his fame. He

The main characters, who fall in love, are White a

An adult is informed that their parent has passed

Multiple people flirt with a handsome author at a

Recognized products and services include Land Rove

Adults drink wine and beer on different occasions.

Positive Messages

It is possible to learn from past mistakes and reconcile with long-lost loved ones. Children can change the patterns of their parents' behavior. Just because a parent gives a child up for adoption doesn't mean they don't love the child.

Positive Role Models

Jake seeks real connection outside of his fame. He holds a grudge toward his parents for their failures. As an adopted child, Rachel has always felt something was missing in her life. She is engaged to marry a man she doesn't fully love because he provides her security. A character is described as a "hoarder." Noel was forced by her parents, who cited religious reasons, to give up her baby when she was a teenager.

Diverse Representations

The main characters, who fall in love, are White and Black. A Black woman was adopted and raised by a biracial couple. One scene features members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

An adult is informed that their parent has passed away. The deceased is described as having had mental health problems for years, apparently stemming from the death of their young child. The accident that killed the child is shown without graphic detail in a flashback. A character visits the child's gravesite and gets emotional talking about them.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Multiple people flirt with a handsome author at a book signing. A character joins a dating app for people over 50 and meets someone right away, apparently spending the night with them on their first date. Two characters fall in love and, though one is engaged to marry someone else, they spend a night together. They are shown dancing and kissing, and one of them is seen shirtless in bed the next morning. Later they gaze at their partner's bare legs as they read in bed.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Recognized products and services include Land Rover, board games, some household products, Waze, Google, Apple, The New York Times , and the film It's a Wonderful Life . The main character is very wealthy.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Noel Diary is a romantic drama based on bestselling novelist Richard Paul Evans' story about two people facing past trauma and falling in love. The film tackles topics like the death of a child (which is shown in a flashback without graphic detail), estrangement from family, adoption, and finding love. The story centers around Jake Turner (Justin Hartley), a successful author, and Rachel (Barrett Doss), who is hoping to start a career as a translator. Both are shy about commitment because of their own emotional baggage. But they find themselves falling in love as they journey together to discover answers about Rachel's birth mother. They ultimately spend one night together while she is still engaged to another man, but although there is flirting, dancing, and kissing, nothing overtly sexual is shown. Some social drinking is depicted. A number of products are clearly identifiable either visually or by name, including Apple and Google. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Community Reviews

Parents say (2)
Kids say (1)

Based on 2 parent reviews

Journey of forgiveness, healing and hope.

What's the story.

Jake Turner ( Justin Hartley ) is a handsome, wealthy, bestselling author who lives alone and is estranged from his parents, in THE NOEL DIARY. When he gets a call out of the blue that his mother has passed away, he travels back to his childhood home to clean it out. One day while there, a woman shows up at his door asking about someone who used to live in the house with his parents. Thanks to the memories of helpful neighbor Ellie ( Bonnie Bedelia ), Jake and the woman, Rachel ( Barrett Doss ), discover that the person she's seeking was Jake's nanny and Rachel's biological mother. The discovery sends Jake and Rachel on a road trip to reconnect with Jake's father ( James Remar ) and to try to find out more information about Rachel's mother. The trip will force Jake and Rachel both outside their comfort zones in confronting their past, and potentially into each other's arms.

Is It Any Good?

This well-acted romantic drama -- based on Richard Paul Evans ' novel -- offers a welcome change from the usual frothy fare released for the holiday season. Hartley and Doss make a handsome and enticing couple in The Noel Diary . Their interactions feel refreshingly mature as they connect over jazz music and reckon with their own life choices. The film wanders into melodrama at times, giving off a soap opera vibe, like in an unnecessary slow-mo flashback to a child's death. But, as a whole, both the drama and the romance work, and if the original novelist's success is any measure, this film will find a broad audience.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how romance and sex is portrayed in The Noel Diary . How does Jake and Rachel's relationship change throughout the movie? Are they respectful to one another as well as to others? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.

Discuss why a person who was put up for adoption might want to find their birth parents.

Why was Jake estranged from his parents? Did you understand his feelings?

What role did music play in the movie -- both music the characters listen to and the soundtrack played over scenes? What feelings did the music evoke?

Movie Details

On DVD or streaming : November 24, 2022
Cast : Justin Hartley , Barrett Doss , Bonnie Bedelia
Director : Charles Shyer
Inclusion Information : Female actors, Black actors
Studio : Netflix
Genre : Drama
Topics : Book Characters , Friendship , Holidays
Run time : 100 minutes
MPAA rating : NR
Last updated : February 17, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Screen Rant

The noel diary review: hartley & ross have electric chemistry in emotional drama.

Charles Shyer’s adaptation of The Noel Diary is charming and sweet, nailing the concept of personal growth within the confinements of its genre.

Justin Hartley’s rise to stardom comes as no surprise to fans of his work. From his early days as Fox Crane on NBC’s soap opera Passions , to roles like Green Arrow on Smallville, and his recent acclaimed performance on the award-winning series This is Us , Hartley time and again proves his ability as an actor when it comes to choosing diverse projects and executing them accordingly. In his latest, Hartley takes on life as a self-isolated writer hoping to grow from his past to make room for a great future. Adapted from Richard Paul Evans’ novel of the same name, The Noel Diary brings love and loss to the forefront of its script. The film exceeds expectations with respect to being a Netflix Christmas production, but it is thoughtful and sincere all the same.

The story follows Jake Turner (Hartley), an acclaimed author of a popular book series whose life has been centered around loss. After learning of his estranged mother’s passing, Turner returns home for Christmas to settle her estate affairs, reliving the memories of his once joyous childhood. There, Jake meets Rachel (Barrett Doss), the fascinating young woman who is on a quest to learn about her own past. Through learning about one another, Jake and Rachel realize that they’ve come into each other’s lives exactly when they needed. Together, the two embark on a journey that challenges their spirits about their past, love, and loss — discovering that they share connections in more ways than one.

Related: Christmas With You Review: Aimee Garcia Exudes Star Power In Genuine Holiday Rom-Com

Director Charles Shyer’s adaptation of The Noel Diary is charming and sweet, nailing the concept of personal growth within the confinements of its genre. Through Jake Turner, viewers can expect a journey of introspection amidst loss, and how that may shelter a person from being open to love and trust in the future. The showcase of this concept through the film’s characters is intricately detailed yet subtle, which translates to a watching experience that viewers can relate to and enjoy. Luckily, the added element of this being a Netflix Christmas romantic drama never interferes with the storytelling. Rather, the setting enables an atmosphere that feels as joyous as it is revealing.

As with stories like this, viewers may be expecting grandiose romantic scenery in between emotional conversations experienced by Jake and Rachel. However, Charles Shyer and David Golden’s script incorporates restraint, relying on Hartley and Doss' chemistry and the natural emotion of the story. Suffice it to say, there are some lovely moments that would get any romantic’s heart beating faster. However, Golden and Shyer balance these moments well, which strengthens the movie overall. This balancing act isn’t revolutionary by any means, but somehow other films struggle to do so, which is why this one exceeds expectations.

Whether it’s finding the strength to rebuild relationships with estranged family members or researching unknown family history to learn more about oneself, The Noel Diary beautifully encapsulates the uncertainties that come with life, loss, and love. But these concepts really don’t work without the strong performances from the film’s cast. Justin Hartley has really come into his own as a capable actor. And in this case, his performance is stellar, showcasing his ability to emote on screen through dialogue and tone, facial expressions, and body language. It feels as if the role of Jake Turner was written for him. Barrett Doss as Rachel is simply exceptional. She commands every scene she’s in, and her chemistry with Hartley radiates off the screen and will find its way into the hearts of viewers.

With the tone of its script and beautiful storytelling of personal growth — all while being wrapped up in a setting that doesn’t mind leaning into the expectations of its genre — The Noel Diary is delightfully sweet and relatable. Though the ending leaves much to be desired, the electric chemistry between Hartley and Doss is enough to stand on its own. Additionally, Shyer’s direction, along with his and Golden’s writing facilitates, makes for a watching experience that is both entertaining and emotionally compelling. There will likely never be a time in movie history where holiday romance drama films like this one cease to exist. But if they continue to bring the quality like in The Noel Diary , they definitely won’t have to.

Next: Leonor Will Never Die Review: A Wild Ride That Is Gorgeous & Inventive

The Noel Diary is now streaming on Netflix. The film is 99 minutes long and not rated.

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25 Days of Bingemas, Day 2: ‘The Noel Diary’

On the second day of streaming delightfully absurd holiday movies, we’re gifted a Netflix joint about a mystery novelist, an estranged daughter, and some light adultery

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The Ringer ’s 25 Days of Bingemas is a guide for people who love original holiday movies; it’s a guide for people who hate original holiday movies; it’s a guide for people who occasionally watch these movies and want more; its a guide for people who never hope to watch these movies but would like to watch one writer descend into madness as she attempts to differentiate between 25 unique forms of holiday magic, 12 different fake countries, and eight different male leads who make you wonder, Wait, is that the guy from Mean Girls ? (It isn’t, except for the one time when it is .) Every day for the next 25 days, Jodi Walker will feature one of this season’s 169 original holiday movies, answering a curated series of questions in order to showcase the genre’s masterful formula, the dedication to chaos, and the commitment to consistently widowing lumberjacks that launched an entire genre of TV movie. On the second day of Bingemas, we turn our cheerful spirits to…

What are we watching?

The Noel Diary .

Where are we watching it?

Why are we watching it.

Because, per Netflix , “cleaning out his childhood home at Christmas, a novelist meets a woman searching for her birth mother. Will an old diary unlock their pasts—and hearts?” I don’t know, WILL IT? (You guys are not gonna believe this, but …)

How many Vanessa Hudgenses are in this?

Zero Vanessa Hudgenses star, but one Justin Hartley from This Is Us stars, which is, frankly, one Justin Hartley too many . I’m so sorry, I recognize that the man has eyes that seem to constantly be sparkling with tears, and the towering presence of a leading man in a TV movie based on a novel— but how could Netflix betray its homegrown star Chrishell Stause like this ? After building a reality empire off the power of her and her divorce via text ?! I can set the treachery aside for the sake of Christmas spirit, but it has been noted and documented. Barrett Doss—who has probably never broken the heart of a woman who was named after a man who helped her mom after she went into labor at a gas station—also stars.

How believable are the lead characters’ ostensible careers?

Jacob Turner is a bestselling author so famous for his spy novels that he has to say, “Yes, that Jacob Turner” every time he calls a hotel concierge. His gorgeous face covers the sides of buses like he’s Carrie Bradshaw in 2002. ( And I couldn’t help but wonder : Does minor celebrity Justin Hartley specify in his contracts that he must play a major celebrity in all of his onscreen roles ?) It’s the movie trying to convince us that a bestselling novelist looks like Justin Hartley that I ultimately must call ostensible-shenanigans on. There’s simply not enough time in the day for leg workouts and the constant existential dread of being a writer.

Who’s dead?

OK, this one is a doozy. On just the second day of Bingemas, The Noel Diary is giving this cheat-sheet format a run for its money. Because this original holiday movie is a little more, uh, Eeyore in tone than I’m accustomed to; I don’t think Justin Hartley fully smiles with teeth until the final freeze frame of the movie …

But please rest assured that the movie does end in freeze frame, and the holiday beats are all there: snow, romance, one room at the inn for two allegedly platonic people, and, of course, death. Big breath, here we go: Jacob finds out that his mother died, and has to leave his mansion that modern literature built where he was spending Christmas alone in order to clean out his childhood home. Once there, we find out that his brother also died when they were children, and the lasting trauma of that event is why the family became estranged. The woman loitering outside his mom’s house believes that her birth mother once worked there as a nanny, but doesn’t know whether she’s now alive or dead.

Is there a building in disrepair, or a business facing financial ruin?

It turns out that Jacob’s mom was a hoarder, but was into a very clean kind of hoarding. In fact, much of what she was collecting appears to be cleaning supplies. Most importantly, though: within a buried box marked “personal” is a diary written by Jacob’s love interest Rachel’s birth mother, whose name was—and you’re not gonna believe this— Noel .

How problematic is the meet-cute on a scale of “one saved the other from falling in a snowbank” to “one is the other’s boss and they fall in love on a work trip”?

Unfortunately, Rachel has a fiancé when she stumbles into the hot, mourning man cleaning out her birth mother’s former residence, ultimately setting them on an emotional and sometimes romantic Christmas quest together. But this movie has a real “don’t let your fiancé, Alan, stop you from meeting your husband, Jacob” mentality, and for that we are grateful.

Is there any singing/crafting/baking/blogging?

In 1989, keeping a diary that you hope your birth daughter will eventually discover was basically blogging, so I’m going to say yes: the running narration of Noel’s diary about her pregnancy is akin to a blog. However, I wonder if she would have written with such detail and elegance if she knew that Rachel was going to cozy up in bed to read one of Jacob’s airport novels before she’d even finished her birth mother’s diary containing the details of her birth story that she’s been desperately searching for through snowy backroads with a stranger.

Is there a child who’s wise beyond his/her years?

No, but there is a plot-driving dog named Ava.

Does anyone almost kiss only to be interrupted?

Yes, interrupted by the plot-driving dog named Ava!

Does anything tip the scales from G to PG?

Well, Ava can’t always be there. And once Jacob has reconciled with his father, and once Jacob and Rachel have set out into yet another snowstorm together, and once the storm forces them to find an inn, and once that inn has only one room, and once the inn serves them a five-star room service dinner, well, you know what time it is: implied sex with sun-dappled morning-after regret time. Because, oh yeah, Rachel is still engaged, and while Netflix may have the moral leniency to depict tongue-kissing before marriage, the company seems to draw the line at adultery.

Did this movie make me cry?

Somewhat unexpectedly, yes . I thought I knew the tear-jerking moment we were all working toward: Rachel meeting her birth mother, at which point I would have held back tears out of spite for pandering. But in a real twist, Rachel decides that Noel’s diary was all the reassurance she needed and that cheating on her nebulous fiancé, Alan, with a hot, famous author who’s super in love with her was a bad idea, and returns home without going to meet Noel. So when Jacob shows up at Noel’s doorstep alone, and introduces himself as the little boy she once cared for during the loss of his brother, it’s actually a really nice moment, made all the nicer and more tear-inducing by the brief cameo from Essence Atkins, who I cannot believe is now old enough to play this role. Executive producer Justin Hartley (surprise!) wasn’t messing around with casting.

What is the meaning of Christmas, as stated by the film?

Jacob says “the universe rewards the brave” no less than five times in this film, and I guess that ultimately is the meaning of Christmas: saying an unattributed quote around someone enough so that when you repeat it back to them during a soaring, rain-soaked monologue, they have no choice but to leave their fiancé for you.

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Is This Is Us star's new Netflix Christmas movie worth watching?

The Noel Diary is out now.

preview for The Noel Diary trailer (Netflix)

Like everything else around this 'most wonderful time of the year,' things are not wonderful for our protagonist Jacob Turner ( This is Us ' Justin Hartley), a famous heartthrob novelist whose only true love is his dog, Ava. He learns of his mother's death thanks to a lawyer's phone call, and we learn of their estrangement as he picks his way through the neatest hoarder's house we've ever seen.

Enter Rachel (Barrett Doss): beautiful, fluent in several languages, upfront and honest. She's hoping he can help her find her birth mother who used to nanny for Jacob and his brother, who died tragically at only 7 years old. They go on a journey of self-discovery, mending traumas and finally learning to embrace life.

barrett doss as rachel, justin hartley as jake in the noel diary

Related: Is Freddie Prinze Jr's Netflix Christmas movie worth your time?

It speaks to the star power of the two leads that even against the clichéd backdrop, you become invested in their relationship and their journeys. Of course, there is an element of mystery to the film that helps propel the plot forward – there are literal questions that get literal answers – but despite the corny sex-pot author jokes, there's a sweetness to Jacob and an earnestness to Rachel that makes them instantly likeable.

The Noel Diary leans into all of the trappings of its genre – like the snowstorm that forces our couple into a B'n'B (in two rooms though, giving the film its best self-aware moment) – and your enjoyment of the film will certainly be dictated by your level of tolerance for this kind of framework, and the gilding that comes with it. (Most people who go in for this kind of film, though, will likely be aware of the strictures to which a schmaltzy Christmas film must adhere.)

Luckily, The Noel Diary isn't laden with side plots and sub-plots that detract and overstuff the narrative. We get a glimpse into the life of Jacob's neighbour Ellie (the always magnificent Bonnie Bedelia), but that's pretty much it. There's no best-friend/assistant, and even Rachel's peripheral people (we won't spoil it) feature so briefly that you aren't too bothered by their lack of well-roundedness.

bonnie bedelia as eleanor foster in the noel diary

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The film rests squarely on Hartley and Doss' shoulders and the pair to a valiant job keeping the schmaltz of it all from getting in the way of their jobs. Both have some Capital I Important 'trauma' to work through, but neither let the melodrama of it (nor the sometimes cheesy writing of it) weigh them down.

Somehow, both roles are buoyant — they bring to mind a chocolate souffle, delicate and airy but full of flavour and richness. Nor does the film take too-manipulative shortcuts, namely they don't kill the dog (thank god, because as soon as that dog showed up there was an innate fear that it would die to exact tears from viewers, but we feel safe in spoiling for you that Ava lives a long happy life!).

All in all, if you're looking for a well-acted, if slightly rote, Christmas film to get you in your feels, The Noel Diary is it.

The Noel Diary is now out on Netflix.

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Gabriella Geisinger is a freelance journalist and film critic, and was previously Deputy Movies Editor at Digital Spy. She loves Star Wars , coming-of-age stories, thrillers , and true crime. A born and raised New Yorker, she also loves coffee and the colour black, obviously.

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DVD & Streaming

The Noel Diary

Comedy , Drama , Romance

Content Caution

two people and a dog driving a snowy car - The Noel Diary

In Theaters

Justin Hartley as Jake Turner; Barrett Doss as Rachel; Bonnie Bedelia as Eleanor; James Remar as Scott Turner; Andrea Sooch as Svetlana; Essence Atkins as Noel Ellis

Home Release Date

November 24, 2022
Charles Shyer

Distributor

Movie review.

What do you get when you throw two strangers, a cute dog and the old diary of a pregnant woman together? A Netflix Christmas rom-com.

Jake Turner is a famous spy novelist who hasn’t spoken to either of his parents in a long time. But after his mom passes away, he returns to his childhood home for the first time in 17 years.

Meanwhile, Rachel never met her birth mom, Noel. She was adopted. But now that she’s getting married, she has doubts about love. And she wants closure. She wants to know if Noel ever truly loved her. And that leads her straight to Jake’s.

Noel was Jake’s nanny while she was pregnant. And while she lived with his family, she kept a diary—a diary which Jake’s mom held onto for 35 years.

Together, maybe they’ll be able to find out what happened to Noel after she gave birth. And maybe Jake will find some closure of his own.

Positive Elements

We learn that the Turners took Noel in after her own parents kicked her out. Noel then brought great comfort to the Turner family after the sudden death of their oldest son, Benjamin.

A father and son reconcile after many years of silence. Jake eventually finds and thanks Noel for the kindness she showed his family after his brother’s death. He also reassures Noel that Rachel understands why she wasn’t raised by her birth mother. We learn a mother left her diary behind so her daughter would know how much she was loved. Folks are genuinely kind to each other throughout the film.

Spiritual Elements

When Noel became pregnant, her parents told her that God disapproved. However, Noel believes that God forgives mistakes and she makes the brave choice to make an adoption plan for her baby. Jake’s dad calls Noel a “godsend.”

Some Christmas carolers sing hymns. Someone says that the “universe” rewards the brave. We see stained-glass images of Christ.

Sexual Content

A couple makes out and it’s implied they have sex (she unbuttons her top and the next morning he wakes up without a shirt on). The woman neglects to tell her fiancé and moves forward with her plans to marry him.

It’s implied that an unmarried couple spent the night together, and we see them kissing the next day. There are some jokes about inns that only have one room available for two unmarried people.

Noel becomes pregnant unexpectedly when she is 17. We don’t hear many of the nitty gritty details, but we do learn that the father of her child never reached out.

Many women flirt with Jake and talk about his good looks. One woman tells him how to make a character in his books “sexier.” A same-sex couple asks him to sign their copy of his latest book. A woman wears some revealing outfits.

Violent Content

We learn that Benjamin died at 7 years of age after a branch broke on a tree he was climbing. A flashback shows the branch breaking and the ornament he was holding shattering.

Crude or Profane Language

God’s name is misused five times. There’s also a single use of “bloody h—.”

Drug and Alcohol Content

People drink wine and champagne. A woman wears a cigar ring as an engagement band.

Other Negative Elements

Though Jake’s mom never makes an appearance on screen, her character demonstrates how grief can consume a person. We see that she became a hoarder and a recluse. (The executor of her estate tells Jake that she rarely left the house and never allowed neighbors inside.) Hers and her husband’s grief eventually led to their divorce. And even though her husband wrote many letters to Jake, she found herself unable to deliver them, keeping them hidden in a box instead. This also led to a complicated relationship with Jake and resulted in him leaving the house for good when he was just 17 years old.

We hear that a teen girl’s parents kicked her out because they were ashamed when she became pregnant out of wedlock.

A woman repeatedly lies to her fiancé. And she as much as admits that she’s only with him because he makes her feel secure.

The thing about closure is that you never really know what will bring it. Rachel thinks that meeting her birth mother will absolve all her fears of being unloved. Jake believes that cleaning out his mother’s house will allow him to move on from his childhood trauma.

Both are wrong. And it’s a longer journey than they expected to find peace. But in the end, they wind up with something much better than they had anticipated.

The Noel Diary touches on some sensitive subjects: a teen’s unplanned pregnancy, a young boy’s accidental death and a family’s grief tearing them apart. However, it also reconciles these problems in some beautiful ways.

Unfortunately, the film also tries to “normalize” premarital sex. We never see the act on screen, but we know that at least three different couples copulate. And that’s perhaps a message that will prevent many families from watching.

Emily Tsiao

Emily studied film and writing when she was in college. And when she isn’t being way too competitive while playing board games, she enjoys food, sleep, and geeking out with her husband indulging in their “nerdoms,” which is the collective fan cultures of everything they love, such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate and Lord of the Rings.

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The Noel Diary - Everything You Need To Know

When the holiday season rolls around, it's always a delight to discover a new Christmas movie . And if you want to mix that holly jolly feeling with a bit of romance, then "The Noel Diary" might be the perfect present for you to open.

Based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Richard Paul Evans (who's established himself as a skilled writer of Christmas stories with other tales like "A Christmas Memory" and "The Christmas Promise"), "The Noel Diary" was released on Netflix on November 24, 2022. The film explores age-old holiday themes like family and love while also grappling with the past. With a skilled filmmaker at the helm and an impressive cast, "The Noel Diary" is sure to make you feel as warm as a hot cup of coco, and if you want to know more about this Netflix Christmas treat, read on for everything you should know about "The Noel Diary."

What is the plot of The Noel Diary?

"The Noel Diary" introduces us to Jake Turner, a handsome romance novelist who's just learned that his mother has passed away. Needing to handle her affairs, Jake heads back to his mom's Connecticut home where he 1) learns his mom had become a hoarder and 2) finds a mysterious journal, one written by the titular Noel. Soon, Jake meets a mysterious woman named Rachel who seems particularly interested in Jake's home. Turns out, her mom used to be Jake's nanny. In fact, her mother is the one who wrote that aforementioned journal, and Rachel is hoping to find her mom.

Unfortunately, Jake doesn't remember his old nanny. Of course, he's a bit smitten with the beautiful Rachel and decides to lend a helping hand. The two set out on a road trip to find Jake's estranged dad, hoping he'll be able to let them know what happened to Rachel's mom. Along the way, they read more of Noel's diary, all while slowly but surely falling in love — which is complicated by the fact that Rachel is engaged. Will these two figure out what happened in their families' past, and will they fall in love amidst the snowy landscape and good holiday vibes?

Who stars in The Noel Diary?

Justin Hartley stars in "The Noel Diary" as the protagonist, Jacob Turner. Hartley also starred in the critically acclaimed TV series "This Is Us," "Jane the Virgin," and "Smallville," as well as in popular movies such as the animated film "Injustice" and Netflix's "Senior Year," making this his second Netflix original movie to date.

Barrett Doss also stars in the film as Rachel, the young woman Jacob meets who's trying to find her birth mother. Doss found her footing in a 2013 episode of "30 Rock" and has since portrayed Victoria Hughes in the Shondaland universe of "Station 19" and "Grey's Anatomy."

As for the rest of the cast, Essence Atkins plays the titular Noel, and you may have previously seen her in movies like "A Haunted House" and series like "First Wives Club." Bonnie Bedelia of "Die Hard" fame plays the friendly neighbor of Jake's mom, and character actor James Remar ("The Warriors," "Dexter," "48 Hrs.") plays our protagonist's estranged dad. Other members of the cast include Andrea Sooch, Jeff Corbett, Lauren Yaffe, Mike Donovan, Whitney Kimball Long, Baylen D. Bietz, and Samantha Smart.

Who directed The Noel Diary?

"The Noel Diary" is helmed by veteran writer and director Charles Shyer. Shyer has several highly successful films under his directorial belt, including "Father of the Bride," "Alfie," and "Private Benjamin," and he's written far more.

In addition to directing the film, Charles Shyer also took part in penning the script, with help from Rebecca Connor (a first-time screenwriter) and David Golden ("Dangerous Lies"). The producers of the film are Timothy O. Johnson, who has over 200 producing credits to his name, including other Christmas-themed movies such as "Dear Santa" and "Holiday Engagement." Margret Huddleston — who has experience directing Netflix originals, including "Love in the Villa" and "Love, Guaranteed" — Stephanie Slack and executive producers Hartley Stephens and Norman Stephens round out the team.

In other words, when it comes to romantic holiday fare, "The Noel Diary" has quite an experienced team working behind the scenes.

How are critics and audiences responding to The Noel Diary?

Believe it or not, "The Noel Diary" is a rare instance of a cheerful holiday rom-com where the critical scores are better than the audience scores. Granted, at the time of this writing, there are only eight critics reviews on Rotten Tomatoes versus 100+ audience reviews. Still, you'd think it would be the other way around.

On the critical side of things, "The Noel Diary" has a 63% approval rating. Lisa Kennedy of The New York Times summed up the generally good spirits, saying, "Director Charles Shyer brings a journeyman's ease to the screenplay (based on Richard Paul Evans' novel by the same name): embracing holiday movie expectations here, gently deflecting them there." In fairness, on the negative side of things, Amanda Guarragi of Ready Steady Cut wrote, "It has some sweet moments, but it doesn't necessarily work because [Justin] Hartley is a bit too detached from the role and doesn't sell the romantic lead at all."

As for audiences, "The Noel Diary" just has a 57% approval rating. Granted, that means over half of reviewers enjoyed the film, but that still counts as a rotten score. Ultimately, you'll have to make up your own mind if "The Noel Diary" works just as well on the screen as it does on the page.

What is The Noel Diary rated?

Most Christmas movies are upbeat films that are generally safe to watch with your family, and that's pretty much the case for "The Noel Diary." The film is rated TV-PG, and while it is a romance, it's pretty light on the sexual content, other than a few implications here and there. Netflix also categorizes the film as "charming," "heartfelt," and "feel-good," implying that there is a happy ending and that younger viewers are unlikely to be disturbed by the content of the film.

Action/Adventure
Children's/Family
Documentary/Reality
Amazon Prime Video

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‘The Noel Diary’ Ending Explained: Netflix’s Justin Hartley Christmas Movie Leaves Room for a Sequel

Where to stream:.

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In many ways, The Noel Diary , which is now streaming on Netflix , is your typical Christmas-themed romantic comedy. But there are parts that will surprise audiences, particularly when it comes to The Noel Diary ending.

That’s in part thanks to director and co-writer Charles Shyer, a veteran of the rom-com genre who directed notable ’90s hits like Father of the Bride and The Parent Trap. Shyer knows these tropes inside and out. He knows when to play them up, and he knows when to turn them on their head. And he does both of those things in The Noel Diary , a charming tale that stars This Is Us ‘s Justin Hartley as a dreamy, big-time author who returns to his hometown after the death of his mother.

For that reason, The Noel Diary ending might not be exactly what audiences are expecting. Netflix viewers are used to the streamer’s Christmas movies by now, and most come with a romantic resolution. But The Noel Diary handles the ending with a lighter touch that may leave audiences wanting more. Read on to learn more about The Noel Diary ending explained and what we know about a possible Noel Diary sequel.

What is The Noel Diary about?

The Noel Diary stars Justin Hartley as a best-selling novelist named Jake, who returns to his small hometown after he learns of the death of his estranged mother. While Jake is cleaning out his mother’s house, he meets a beautiful young woman named Rachel (played by Barrett Doss), who was adopted as a child and is searching for her birth mother. Rachel’s mother once worked for Jake’s family as a nanny, so she is hoping Jake can give her a lead. Though Jake doesn’t know anything himself, he agrees to drive with Rachel to visit Jake’s estranged father to gather more information.

Along the journey, Rachel discovers her mother’s old diary. It’s a treasure trove of information about her mom, whose name is Noel, and who worked as a nanny for Jake’s family when he was only four years old. Meanwhile, sparks are beginning to fly between Jake and Rachel. The only problem? Rachel is engaged to be married to some stick-in-the-mud named Andy.

The Noel Diary ending explained:

After Jake reconciles with his father, he and Rachel spend the night in a hotel room together, because, in the grand tradition of romantic comedy tropes, there was only one bed . The two drink, dance, and celebrate Rachel’s birthday, and end up sleeping together. But the next morning, Rachel feels she’s made a mistake by cheating on her fiance Alan. She slips out in the morning and leaves Jake a note, apologizing and telling him it won’t work out between the two of them. She also tells him she is going to give up on tracking down her mother, despite the fact that she now knows where her mom is. According to Rachel, the diary gave her everything she needed to know.

Jake decides to track down Rachel’s mother himself. He thanks Noel for what she did for his family, and tells her that her daughter Rachel is an amazing person. Then on Christmas Day, Jake goes for the big romantic gesture. He stands outside Rachel’s home and calls her on the phone, asking her to be with him. Rachel tells Jake to go away, and he responds that he will—if she can honestly say she doesn’t love him. After a moment, Rachel says, “I don’t love you,” and Jake leaves. Tough break!

But don’t worry, they don’t leave it at that. After the holidays, while Jake is preparing to finally leave his mother’s house, he happens to look up while getting in the car. Standing there, across the street in the snow, is Rachel. She smiles at him, and he smiles back. And with that, the movie ends.

While we don’t see them kiss, the implication is clearly that Rachel broke up with Alan (finally!) and is here to begin her life with Jake. According to an interview with The Hollywood Reporter , director Charles Shyer was adamant that the couple not kiss in the end.

“The ending was really tricky,” Shyer said. “The inspiration for that is Claude Lelouch movies, which I’m a major fan of. In fact, this is very much like a Lelouch ending because I didn’t want something that was just so on the nose. The producers kept saying that we needed to have them kiss at the end but I said no.”

Will there be a Noel Diary 2 ?

While there is no official word either way on a possible Noel Diary sequel, right now it doesn’t seem likely that The Noel Diary 2 is happening. Neither the cast nor the director Charles Shyer has indicated that they are thinking about a sequel movie. And the book that the movie is based on, The Noel Diary by Richard Paul Evans, is a standalone story without a sequel, though it is part of a series of unrelated Christmas-themed tales called The Noel Collection .

That said, never say never. Netflix has made sequels to its Christmas hits in the past, including The Princess Switch franchise, so if The Noel Diary continues to do well for Netflix, it’s possible the streamer may want to continue the story. And there’s plenty of more story to tell. Rachel never got to reunite with her mom, and, of course, we never got to see the couple kiss at the end.

While Shyer didn’t exactly indicate that The Noel Diary 2 is his ideal next project, the director did state frankly in a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter that he intends to keep working as long as he can, and that he’s much less picky about projects these days. “I just have a lot of energy. I want to keep going. I actually love the process and I love the camaraderie,” he said. “I love what I do. If I drop dead, maybe it will be holding a camera.”

Where was The Noel Diary filmed?

The Noel Diary takes place in Connecticut, across various small towns including Bridgeport, Cornwall Bridge, and Ridgefield. There was no Hollywood trickery at play here— The Noel Diary was filmed on location in various spots in Connecticut. Some real-life locations include RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison, CT; the Griswold Inn in Essex, CT; and the town hall in New Canaan.

While it may look snowy and cold on screen, The Noel Diary was actually filmed in the middle of summer. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter , director Charles Shyer explained how it happened, saying, “We started out in Vancouver, we had location scouted, hired crew and everything, but then COVID-19 hit. We got booted out of Canada and had to move to Connecticut in the middle of summer when it was 90 degrees. Making a Christmas movie under those conditions was really a challenge.”

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The Noel Diary Parent Guide

More than a romance, this movie is a hopeful and healing story about forgiveness and fresh starts..

Netflix: A successful novelist returns to his childhood home to settle his late mother's estate. While there, he meets a woman in search of her birth mother. As they work together, they learn more about their family stories.

Release date November 24, 2022

Run Time: 99 minutes

Get Content Details

The guide to our grades, parent movie review by kirsten hawkes.

Jake Turner (Justin Hartley) is living his best life. The best-selling novelist is mobbed at book signings before retreating to his chic, mid-century country home to enjoy his collectibles and listen to jazz with his favorite companion – his loyal dog, Ava. It’s a lonely life, but it’s what he wants, or at least what he think he wants, which is pretty much the same thing.

The news of his mother’s death comes as a shock. As her heir, Jake must return to his hometown, clean out the hoarded possessions of 20 years and figure out what to do with everything else – including the legacy of heartache that has riven his family apart.

I had low expectations of this film since it’s based on a book by Richard Paul Evans and I am not a fan of his work, finding it overly treacly. If you love his books, please don’t take this personally. I have a shriveled up little critic’s heart so I tend to shy away from sentimentalism. Luckily, my fears were for naught and The Noel Diary turned out to be a pleasantly watchable film. Justin Hartley and Barrett Doss bring their very good-looking characters to convincing life, give them authentic emotions that don’t go over the top, and have enough chemistry to keep the movie warm without ever sizzling. Best of all, Christmas is almost incidental to the plot, so this movie is not crushed by the weight of Christmas decorations in every conceivable nook and cranny. There’s more music than tinsel in this film, and the jazz standards and seasonal tunes are a real festive bonus.

Family audiences will be pleased with the number of positive themes in the script. This movie powerfully delivers its messages of patience, persistence, forgiveness, and family reconciliation. It’s a reminder of the critical need we all have for acceptance, belonging and love in our families and how that security is a critical building block for adult life. The story also demonstrates that it’s never too late to heal what’s been broken or to have a fresh start. The Noel Diary is more than a romance, it’s a hopeful and ultimately healing journey. These factors, combined with a paucity of negative content (minimal swearing, implied but unseen sex), make this movie safe watching for pretty much anyone who wants a clean romance flick.

That said, the movie has some flaws that drove me crazy, the worst of which is the ending. Romance movie fans expect a big finish and this movie has an excruciatingly abrupt finale. None of the elements fans expect are in the ending – the happy ever after is clearly visible and then the movie ends without the satisfactory wrap-up that would take two or three minutes of screen time. The movie also mishandles winter (you can’t leave people in cold cars for HOURS, drivers need to scrape side windows, etc.) which will irritate viewers who live in cold climates. Less fussy viewers, however, will enjoy this warm-hearted hopeful story of love warming away the chill of loss, loneliness, and uncertainty. It’s sweet and sincere and you really can’t ask for much more in a rom-com.

About author

Kirsten hawkes, watch the trailer for the noel diary.

The Noel Diary Rating & Content Info

Why is The Noel Diary rated TV-PG? The Noel Diary is rated TV-PG by the MPAA for mild themes.

Violence: There is discussion of the accidental death of a child. Sexual Content: There are scenes of men and women kissing. An unwed teen pregnancy is a plot point. Sexual activity is implied but never seen. Profanity: The script contains a handful of terms of deity. Alcohol / Drug Use: Adults drink wine with meals.

Page last updated January 20, 2024

The Noel Diary Parents' Guide

Why is Jake’s family divided? How did his parents’ choices affect Jake? How does Jake overcome the heartache of the past? What role does Rachel have in helping Jake change his family? How does helping Rachel wind up benefiting Jake? Do you learn anything from this film that can help you with a difficult relationship?

Loved this movie? Try these books…

This movie is based on the novel The Noel Diary by Richard Paul Evans. Other Christmas books by Mr. Evans include A Christmas Memory, The Noel Letters, The Mistletoe Promise, The Mistletoe Secret, The Noel Stranger, The Mistletoe Inn, Noel Street, Finding Noel, Lost December, The Gift, A Christmas Memory, Promise Me, and Finding Noel.

Mystery author Anne Perry has written several Victorian Christmas novellas with a forgiveness theme. These include A Christmas Return, A Christmas Journey, A Christmas Resolution, A Christmas Hope, and A Christmas Grace.

Related news about The Noel Diary

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Film Gate Reviews

Movie reviews: Hollywood and Indie, specializing in independent comedies, dramas, thrillers and romance.

Thursday, November 24, 2022

The noel diary: movie review.

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The Best Movies and TV Shows Coming to Amazon, Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV+ and More in May

“The Idea of You,” “Scrublands,” “The Big Cigar” and “Hacks” are streaming.

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A man and a woman, smiling, hold hands as they walk along a riverfront.

By Noel Murray

Every month, streaming services add movies and TV shows to its library. Here are our picks for some of May’s most promising new titles. (Note: Streaming services occasionally change schedules without giving notice. For more recommendations on what to stream, sign up for our Watching newsletter here .)

New to Amazon Prime Video

‘The Idea of You’ Starts streaming: May 2

Anne Hathaway plays a middle-age woman on a wild, globe-hopping adventure with a new lover in this romantic dramedy, based on Robinne Lee’s best-selling novel. Hathaway stars as Solène, who accompanies her teenage daughter to Coachella, where she meets and discovers an instant rapport with Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), a 24-year-old lead singer of a mega-popular boy band. The movie’s director, Michael Showalter — who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jennifer Westfeldt — has shown a facility with blending low-key humor and realistic relationship angst in his films “The Big Sick” and “Spoiler Alert.” So while “The Idea of You” features fabulous-looking people and catchy songs, it’s mostly about how the two leads’ genuine yearning for each other helps them withstand some uncomfortable public scrutiny.

Also arriving:

May 9 “The GOAT” Season 1 “Maxton Hall: The World Between Us”

May 16 “Outer Range” Season 2

May 23 “The Blue Angels” “The 1% Club”

May 24 “Dom”

May 31 “The Outlaws” Season 3

New to AMC+

‘Scrublands’ Season 1 Starts streaming: May 2

In the opening sequence of this Sundance Now mystery series, a priest (Jay Ryan) in a run-down Australian Outback town pulls out a rifle after Sunday services and kills five of his congregants. One year later, a burned-out investigative journalist (Luke Arnold) is assigned to write a short article about how the community is recovering from the trauma. But thanks to a helpful local (Bella Heathcote), the reporter quickly realizes that the official story about what happened that Sunday may be wrong. Based on a Chris Hammer novel and directed by Greg McLean (best-known for the Aussie horror classic “Wolf Creek”), the moody and twisty “Scrublands” is about a town with dark secrets and a man who risks his life and career to expose them.

May 3 “Skeletons in the Closet”

May 12 “Anne Rice’s Interview With the Vampire” Season 2

“Harry Wild” Season 3

“In the Kitchen With Harry Hamlin” Season 1

May 17 “Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever”

May 27 “The Truth”

May 31 “Stopmotion”

New to Apple TV+

‘Dark Matter’ Starts streaming: May 8

Based on a novel by Blake Crouch (who also serves as the series’ showrunner), this trippy science fiction thriller stars Joel Edgerton as Jason, a physics professor who has a happy life with his wife (Jennifer Connelly) and their teenage son (Oakes Fegley). When Jason is attacked one night by a masked stranger, he finds himself transported to an alternate reality where he has no wife and no son — but where he does have the kind of prestigious reputation that his brilliant scientist brother (Jimmi Simpson) has always enjoyed. Once he shakes off the initial disorientation, Jason faces a choice: to accept that this new version of himself is who he was always meant to be, or to use his knowledge of quantum theory and inter-dimensional travel to embark on a quest through infinite worlds, to find his way back to his family.

‘The Big Cigar’ Starts streaming: May 17

The magnificent actor André Holland plays the Black Panther Party founder Huey P. Newton in “The Big Cigar,” which tells the strange but mostly true tale of his friendship with the politically progressive Hollywood producer Bert Schneider (Alessandro Nivola). When Newton was wanted for murder, Schneider reportedly helped him escape to Cuba, using a fake movie production as a cover. The mini-series recreates the headiness of the early 1970s, when various artistic, social and cultural movements were pushing hard against the establishment. This historical drama is based on a magazine article by the reporter Joshuah Bearman, whose work previously inspired the Oscar-winning movie “Argo,” a similar story about the worlds of showbiz and politics colliding.

May 1 “Acapulco” Season 3

“Hollywood Con Queen”

May 22 “Trying” Season 4

New to Disney+

‘Jim Henson Idea Man’ Starts streaming: May 31

Jim Henson will always be remembered for creating the Muppets, which have been beloved since they debuted on television in 1955. But Henson was also a filmmaker, a visual artist, and a businessman shrewd enough to use the commercial appeal of his creations to bankroll his more ambitious projects, most of which were made to celebrate to the warmer side of the human spirit. For the documentary “Jim Henson Idea Man,” the director Ron Howard and his team were allowed extensive access to the Henson archives. The film combines archival clips of the Muppets with rare home-movie footage and diary entries — along with behind-the-scenes photos and sketches and new interviews with some of Henson’s collaborators — to tell the story of a visionary who built an empire out of feelings and felt.

May 4 “Star Wars: Tales of the Empire”

May 5 “Monsters at Work” Season 2

May 8 “Let It Be”

May 10 “Doctor Who” Season 14

May 22 “Chip ’n’ Dale: Park Life” Season 2

May 24 “The Beach Boys”

New to Hulu

‘The Contestant’ Starts streaming: May 2

In 1998, an aspiring comedian named Tomoaki Hamatsu — nicknamed Nasubi, the Japanese word for eggplant, because of his long face — won the opportunity to compete on an extreme kind of game show. Locked in a spartan apartment and stripped naked, Nasubi was challenged to survive off whatever he could win from mail-in contests advertised in magazines. Unbeknown to him, his ordeal was broadcast to a rapt nation. Clair Titley’s documentary “The Contestant” looks back at Nasubi’s year of deprivation and isolation, which was framed for the TV audience as a hilarious and heartwarming adventure. The truth, of course, was far more complicated, which Titley covers in a film that examines how fans of reality TV can sometimes forget they’re watching — and judging — real people.

May 1 “Elvis” “Shardlake” Season 1

May 2 “Welcome to Wrexham” Season 3

May 3 “Prom Dates”

May 7 “Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story”

May 8 “In Limbo” Season 1

May 9 “Black Twitter: A People’s History”

May 10 “Biosphere” “Eileen” “Past Lies” Season 1

May 12 “Where the Crawdads Sing”

May 14 “The Killing Kind” Season 1

May 15 “Uncle Samsik” Season 1

May 17 “Birth/Rebirth” “The Sweet East”

May 22 “Chief Detective 1958” Season 1

May 24 “Ferrari”

‘Hacks’ Season 3 Starts streaming: May 2

The first two seasons of the dramedy “Hacks” followed the codependent relationship between a complacent stand-up comic, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), and the cynical, self-sabotaging comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), hired to help add edge to Deborah’s Las Vegas act. Season 2 ended with the ladies parting ways after working together on a hit comedy special; but they reunite in Season 3 as Deborah makes plans to right some old wrongs by landing a gig as a late-night talk show host. “Hacks” is about the sometimes wildly varying values of two different generations of comedians. It’s also about two women who have made a lot of messes in their lives — and have come to rely on each other to help with the cleanup.

May 2 “Turtles All the Way Down”

May 3 “Stop Making Sense”

May 9 “Pretty Little Liars: Summer School”

“The Iron Claw”

May 11 “Nikki Glaser: Someday You’ll Die”

May 20 “Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.”

May 23 “Thirst with Shay Mitchell”

May 29 “MoviePass, Moviecrash”

New to Paramount+

‘Evil’ Season 4 Starts streaming: May 23

One of TV’s most unusual and entertaining dramas comes to an end with its latest season, which finds its demon-hunting heroes dealing with satanic cults and devil babies. Katja Herbers returns as Dr. Kristen Bouchard, a forensic psychologist who works alongside the Catholic priest David Acosta (Mike Colter) and the tech whiz Ben Shakir (Aasif Mandvi) to investigate paranormal phenomena. The job frequently puts them at odds with the mysterious sociopath and impish mischief-maker Dr. Leland Townsend (Michael Emerson). Created by Michelle and Robert King (the team behind “The Good Fight” and “Elsbeth”), “Evil” is a witty and often genuinely creepy horror procedural, which considers whether the modern world’s wickedness is supernatural in nature or just a case of humans being humans.

May 1 “Behind the Music” Season 2

May 7 “Kiss the Future”

May 10 “The Chi” Season 6, Part 2

May 14 “Pillowcase Murders”

May 17 “Mourning in Lod” “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” Season 9 “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars: Untucked” Season 9

May 21 “LOLLA: The Story of Lollapalooza”

May 30 “Pyramid Game”

New to Peacock

‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz’ Starts streaming: May 2

In this historical drama based on a true story, an older Jew named Lali Sokolov (Harvey Keitel) meets regularly with the aspiring author Heather Morris (Melanie Lynskey) to tell her a story he had previously kept to himself, for almost his entire life: all about how he survived Auschwitz by making himself useful to his jailers. Based on the book that the real-life Morris produced from interviews with Sokolov — a blend of unflinching Holocaust testimony and page-turning fiction — “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” portrays the moral compromises required to endure an atrocity. But it’s also about an unlikely love affair, which develops between Lali (played by Jonah Hauer-King in flashbacks) and Gita (Anna Prochniak), a woman he befriends while he’s tattooing her arm.

‘We Are Lady Parts’ Starts streaming: May 30

One of Peacock’s best foreign TV acquisitions, this British sitcom is the brainchild of the writer-director Nida Manzoor, whose work draws on her love of pop culture and her experiences growing up in a Pakistani Muslim family. Last year she released her debut feature film “Polite Society,” a martial arts comedy; and now Manzoor returns with a second season of the wonderful “We Are Lady Parts,” which stars Anjana Vasan as Amina, a dorky college student and observant Muslim who joins a radical all-female, all-Muslim punk band. In Season 1, this eclectic group of ladies became a cult success. In Season 2, they have an opportunity to record an album and grow their audience but find themselves unsure if that’s what they really want.

May 3 “The American Society of Magical Negroes”

May 7 “Eurovision Song Contest 2024”

May 9 “Love Undercover” Season 1

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The movie “Civil War” has tapped into a dark set of national angst . In polls and in interviews, a segment of voters say they fear the country’s divides may lead to actual, not just rhetorical, battles.

If you are overwhelmed by the endless options, don’t despair — we put together the best offerings on Netflix , Max , Disney+ , Amazon Prime and Hulu to make choosing your next binge a little easier.

Sign up for our Watching newsletter to get recommendations on the best films and TV shows to stream and watch, delivered to your inbox.

“Where is Anne Frank?” (2024) Review – A Beautiful and Frustrating Movie

“where is anne frank” plot summary.

“Where is Anne Frank?” starts with a preface about who Anne Frank is and the context for her diary today. Most kids learn about Anne Frank through the assigned reading of “The Diary of Anne Frank,” a firsthand account of a child during the Nazi occupation. Written and directed by Ari Folman (the acclaimed filmmaker behind 2008’s animated documentary “Waltz with Bashir”), “Where is Anne Frank?” makes the same case of enlightening children and their families about the Holocaust. While the animation is gorgeous, the resulting narrative can be muddled and deter the film’s message.

“Where is Anne Frank?” tells two stories to captivate and educate audiences. The first bold and controversial choice is telling part of Anne’s story through her imaginative friend, Kitty (Ruby Stokes), a young girl who has come to life through Anne’s diary. Kitty is trapped in present-day Amsterdam, trying to search for her old friend, Anne (Emily Carey).

Through Kitty’s memories and Anne’s own diary, we see flashbacks of Anne talking to Kitty and Anne’s family and freedom slowly succumbing to fear and restraint in Nazi-occupied Germany. Meanwhile, Kitty materializes and can be seen by other people when she leaves Frank’s house. She befriends a boy named Peter (Ralph Prosser), who understands that she’s truly Anne’s imaginary friend, and he tries to show her what happened to Anne Frank while conveying that discrimination and hate still exist. Kitty must cope with current discrimination, the loss of her friend, and how to honor her memory.

“Where is Anne Frank?” is as fascinating as it is frustrating. It can deliver a powerful message for children, but it also strangely simplifies the causes and solution to historic discrimination. The soundtrack and visuals are lush and captivating for any audience member, yet by focusing on the fictional Kitty, the story unravels in confusing and possibly offensive ways. Kids love magical realism, but it’s difficult to determine if the true story about a young girl experiencing the Holocaust is appropriate for magical realism. “Where is Anne Frank?” should be asking more questions about the framing of the story and why.

Content Information

“Where is Anne Frank?” is not rated, but includes mature discussions about anti-semitism, death, sex, genocide, and war.

Other Noteworthy Information

Writer and director Ari Folman’s parents are Holocaust survivors.

“Where is Anne Frank?” General Information

Character descriptions.

Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.

Kitty (Ruby Stokes)

Kitty is Anne’s imaginary friend who longs to be real. She’s inquisitive and brave, but when she has a chance at an actual life, she’s hurt by what she learns about people.

The actor is also known for their role in “The Burning Girls.”

Anne Frank (Emily Carey)

Anne is a typical teen girl with fantasies, crushes, and a teasing relationship with her sister. But when Nazis start to take away Jewish people’s rights, Anne has to grow up fast.

The actor is also known for their role in “House of the Dragon.”

Peter (Ralph Prosser)

Peter is one of the people who believes and wants to help Kitty. As someone who has faced his fair share of discrimination, Peter has only had himself to depend on.

The actor is also known for their role in “.”

“Where is Anne Frank?” Review

Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)

Let us know your thoughts in the comments:

What did you think of “Where is Anne Frank?” How did it handle the sensitive material? Would you show this to a child?

Lush Animation Creates Mesmerizing Magic

Director Ari Folman sticks with classic 2D animation to illustrate the dreams, fantasies, and world of Anne Frank and Kitty. But every scene feels captivating, lively, and filled with secrets in every frame. Stills do not do justice to the lush animation conveyed in “Where is Anne Frank?” Viewers may be confused by the story but are immediately entranced by the animated world of “Where is Anne Frank?”

On The Fence

Whose story is this.

“Where is Anne Frank?” tries to balance telling Frank’s story through the eyes of her imaginary friend, Kitty, while also telling a present-day story through the eyes of Kitty. The framing device is intriguing, but gets muddled when we start seeing Anne Frank’s memories or Kitty’s fantasies. In the middle of an argument about why Kitty is a redhead, Anne claims she’s confused because she made Kitty up. I’m equally confused. What works as a poetic short story suffers from convoluted twisting when trying to show flashbacks and, today, fact and fiction.

Magical Realism of the Holocaust

“Where is Anne Frank?” may be a more accessible reimagining of Frank’s diary, and it may just educate a viewer who knows nothing. But it also comes at the cost of details that harm knowledge about actual tragedies. The end of “Where is Anne Frank?” is shockingly simple with national trauma and traumatic with what was supposed to be its simple B-story. Are people invested in Kitty’s love story or how she came to be? Are they more interested in that than the story of Frank? The movie tries to have it both ways and claims all we need is a passionate speech to treat each other equally. All of it feels well-intentioned but has bad results.

Good If You Like

More mature animated films and stories about Anne Frank.

Recommendations

If you like this movie, we recommend:

The Book Thief
Oppenheimer

Check out our movies page for our latest movie reviews and recommendations.

The post “Where is Anne Frank?” (2024) Review – A Beautiful and Frustrating Movie first appeared on Wherever I Look and is written by Austin Estrada .

Ruby Stokes voices Kitty in “Where is Anne Frank?” (directed by Ari Folman, 2024)

[RÉCIT] - La véritable histoire de Lily Bollinger, une dame dans le Champagne par Stéphane Bern

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Historiquement vôtre: Stéphane Bern et Matthieu Noël (2020)

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