When the holiday season rolls around, I find myself pulled towards the lure of Hallmark-esque Christmas movies. They’re simply irresistible with charming small towns, cheesy romances, and holiday cheer.

Netflix has a wide range of original holiday movies out, and heaps of them are released every November. While I haven’t seen all of them, there certainly are a couple of gems.

Of course, it’s a fair critique to say that these types of movies are very formulaic and cliche. With unrealistic plotlines and predictable twists, the movies are by no means masterpieces. The once brooding love interest will always find the true meaning of Christmas, and any threats to the holiday will be miraculously resolved. However, despite the cheesiness, there is something so lighthearted and fun about these movies that is hard to ignore.

With Christmas approaching, I set out to watch a new movie.

Number 8 on Netflix’s top ten charts was “Single All The Way,” released December 2nd, 2021. The movie centers on two gay best friends trying to navigate the holidays back home and, you guessed it, their feelings for one another.

Peter is tired of spending every Christmas single, knowing that each visit home will only consist of endless nagging questions about his relationship status. When Peter finally has a boyfriend before Christmas, he thinks it’s his one chance not to be “the single one”… until he finds out his new boyfriend is cheating on him.

Not wanting to look like a fool, Peter pretends to date Nick, his best friend, to avoid the barrage of questions, yet the plan starts to fall apart when Peter’s family steps in as a matchmaker, introducing him to James.

Stuck between his feelings for both men, it’s unclear whether or not Peter and Nick will both get to have a happy ending before Christmas.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie and would definitely recommend it. The film certainly does have its flaws. The acting is a tad corny and overdone, the script leans too heavily into archetypes and cliches, and the family’s obsession with Peter’s love life is a little unrealistic.

Yet, even with all that being said, it is easy to set aside those things and enjoy a wholesome holiday film that portrays a gay interracial couple with supportive families.

Nick was easily the best character. He is a bestselling author for a children’s book and has a side job with TaskRabbit, an odd jobs hiring company. He is considerate, even encouraging Peter to go on dates with James, the other love interest, despite his own feelings.

I also felt that the love triangle was resolved well. No one’s feelings were hurt, and there was no physical cheating between them. For a portion of the movie, I was worried that James–who is genuinely very nice–would end up heartbroken and betrayed, potentially ruining the joy of Nick and Peter finally getting together, but the movie avoided that!

“Single All the Way” discusses the importance of family, the sometimes unclear distinction between platonic and romantic feelings, and being grateful for what’s in front of you – perfect themes for the holiday season!

Being Netflix’s first gay holiday romantic comedy, the movie seems well-received. There is already speculation online of a sequel, but, for now, you can watch “Single All the Way” on Netflix if you’re looking for a movie to watch over CLC’s winter break!