Jingle Bell Heist Divides Critics: Netflix’s Holiday Heist Is Either Cheesy Charm or Christmas Dullness

Netflix dropped Jingle Bell Heist on November 27, 2025, and the internet didn’t know whether to laugh, groan, or reach for the eggnog. The film, starring Olivia Holt as Sophia—a retail worker with a hidden edge—and Connor Swindells as Nick, a scrappy repairman with a grudge, centers on a Christmas Eve heist at a glittering New York department store. But here’s the twist: the movie isn’t about the steal. It’s about the quiet, messy, unexpected connection between two people who never meant to care about each other. And that’s where the reviews split wide open.

Two Worlds, One Store: The Heist That Wasn’t

The plot, as described by Netflix, is simple: two small-time criminals target the same high-end holiday loot. But what unfolds isn’t a slick Ocean’s Eleven-style caper. It’s more like a slow-burn drama wrapped in tinsel. Sophia, played by Holt, carries grief like a second coat—her mother’s death haunts every quiet moment. Nick, portrayed by Swindells, isn’t just broke; he’s angry. His backstory, revealed in a series of hushed conversations over stolen eggnog and broken escalators, paints him as someone who’s been crushed by corporate indifference. And that’s where Peter Serafinowicz comes in—as Mr. Sterling, the arrogant, over-the-top owner of the department store. He’s not just a villain. He’s the symbol of everything wrong with holiday capitalism.

But here’s the odd thing: the film’s most compelling moments happen when the heist takes a backseat. A scene where Sophia and Nick hide in a toy aisle, whispering about childhood Christmases they never had? That’s the heart of the movie. The actual robbery? It’s decent. The final act has some clever misdirection, a falling chandelier, and a very dramatic Santa costume. But the real tension isn’t whether they’ll get away with it—it’s whether they’ll let each other in.

Conflicting Reviews: Is It Cheesy or Clever?

Critics couldn’t agree. Collider called it “a dull, lifeless heist movie that doesn’t offer much in the way of Christmas cheer.” Their review, published the same day as the release, slammed Holt’s performance as “void of emotion” and noted the chemistry between her and Swindells “never sparks.” They also criticized the supporting cast—Lucy Punch as the “spoilt princess” and Serafinowicz as Mr. Sterling—for being underused. “It feels like Netflix picked two actors from a hat,” the reviewer wrote, “and gave them a script written in 2012.”

But then there’s Tom’s Guide, which declared it “might be the best Christmas movie of 2025” and noted it had already climbed to No. 1 on Netflix’s U.S. charts. Their take? “The twist caught me off guard,” they wrote. “The backstories give weight to the theft. Sterling isn’t just rich—he’s cruel. And for once, the holiday movie doesn’t just ask you to believe in love. It asks you to believe in justice.”

On IMDb, the ratings are split between 5.8 and 8 out of 10. One user, 8jared-25331, praised the “great chemistry” and “well-paced story,” while another, 10declutterfairiesuae, called it “finally a warm and fuzzy Xmas movie.” Meanwhile, misterberger summed it up perfectly: “I was expecting Hallmark fluff. I got something… quieter. Deeper. Like a Christmas card you find in an old coat pocket.”

Location Confusion: London or New York?

One of the strangest parts of the buzz around Jingle Bell Heist is the conflicting setting. Metacritic’s summary mentions “London’s most notorious department store.” But Collider, Tom’s Guide, and multiple IMDb user reviews all reference New York. Netflix’s official synopsis doesn’t clarify. Was this a last-minute edit? A marketing oversight? Or did the filmmakers intentionally leave the city vague so audiences could project their own holiday memories onto the screen? It’s possible the store’s architecture—ornate ceilings, grand staircases, and snow-dusted windows—was shot in a studio that could pass for either city. The ambiguity might even be the point: in a world where Christmas is sold as a global brand, does it matter where the heist happens?

Why This Matters: The New Holiday Movie Formula

Jingle Bell Heist arrives at a time when audiences are tired of the same old holiday tropes: the mistaken identity, the last-minute declaration of love, the choir singing in the town square. This film doesn’t deliver those. Instead, it gives us flawed people, quiet redemption, and a villain who isn’t cartoonish—he’s just… rich. And that’s what makes it feel different. It’s not about saving Christmas. It’s about surviving it.

What’s interesting is how the film mirrors real-life tensions. Inflation’s still biting. Retail workers are exhausted. Holiday shopping feels less like joy and more like obligation. Maybe that’s why some viewers connected with it. It didn’t pretend everything was perfect. It showed two people who were broken, and then gave them a chance to fix something—each other, maybe, or at least their own sense of worth.

What’s Next?

Netflix hasn’t announced a sequel, but the film’s No. 1 ranking suggests it’s resonating with viewers—even if critics didn’t get it. If there’s a follow-up, expect more focus on the supporting cast. Lucy Punch’s character, for instance, has a surprise arc that’s barely explored. And what about Mr. Sterling? Is he really gone? Or is he quietly watching from a penthouse, plotting his revenge?

For now, Jingle Bell Heist sits in a strange, wonderful space: it’s not a classic. It’s not a disaster. It’s just… there. Like a half-finished ornament on the tree. You don’t need to love it. But you might find yourself watching it again next year. Just to see if you feel the same.