Jingle Bell Heist (2025)
Cash-strapped Sophie, juggling two jobs to pay for her sick mother’s private care, is caught stealing from her corrupt employer, Maxwell Sterling. She is forced into an alliance with Nick, a disgraced security expert who also needs money for his daughter. The mismatched pair decide to team up and rob Sterling’s posh London department store on Christmas Eve.
Length: 1h36m
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Crime
This Title is: Unconventional Christmas Caper
Cast
Olivia Holt, Connor Swindells, Lucy Punch, Peter Serafinowicz, Poppy Drayton
Parental Guidance
Maturity Rating: TV-14 – Mild Language and Thematic Elements
FAQ
- Is Jingle Bell Heist (2025) Based on a True Story?: No. The screenplay was written by Abby McDonald and was notably included on the 2022 Black List of well-liked, unproduced scripts.
- Where was Jingle Bell Heist (2025) filmed?: Primarily filmed in London, England, which provides a key festive backdrop without relying on artificial snow effects.
- Who Wrote the Soundtrack?: Steve Hackman
Filmmaker Profile
Director Michael Fimognari brings his signature light touch, honed from the successful *To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before* series, to this holiday feature. Fimognari expertly balances the warmth of a seasonal romance with the sharp execution of the central crime story.
Why It’s Worth Watching
The production stands out by replacing standard holiday fluff with a quick-witted crime premise that offers genuine stakes. It successfully merges the warmth of the season with the fun of a caper, backed by a great soundtrack featuring alternative holiday songs. The chemistry between the two leads is a genuine highlight.
Main Character Deep Dive
Sophie Martin is driven by profound desperation, relocating to London and working relentlessly to afford her mother’s care. Olivia Holt provides an incredibly charming, funny, and relatable presence, capturing the character’s determination and vulnerability. Her transformation from a petty thief to a mastermind driven by love and loyalty makes her journey memorable.
Unforgettable Quote
“Just smile and look festive, Nick. We’re stealing a holiday, not rescuing a kitten.”
Trivia
- The original script landed on the 2022 Black List, a highly-regarded survey of the best unproduced screenplays.
- The soundtrack notably uses non-traditional holiday music from bands like Low and Run-DMC.
- Director Michael Fimognari is the former cinematographer for several popular Netflix romance features.
Trailer
Stream Jingle Bell Heist (2025) on:
Our Review
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I genuinely enjoyed this seasonal surprise. It offers a refreshingly original twist on the usual holiday setup by combining high-stakes thievery with true romantic spirit. What truly shines is the magnetic partnership between Olivia Holt and Connor Swindells. Their on-screen connection feels authentic and elevates the entire production beyond standard seasonal fare. The picture works because we are given such strong reasons to root for Sophie and Nick; their struggles are understandable, giving their criminal activity a moral justification that fits perfectly into the spirit of Christmas generosity. Michael Fimognari maintains a quick pace and injects enough light humor and inventive moments into the plan to keep the viewer entertained. The London setting looks beautiful, capturing the festive mood without resorting to clichés. The final act delivers some surprising moments that resolve the core conflicts beautifully.
Who Should Watch This?
Stream it if you enjoy your seasonal romances mixed with a fast-paced caper and cheer for the underdog heroes who are robbing the rich for all the right reasons.
