Kristin's Christmas Past

This week's easiest comedy pick is Kristin's Christmas Past. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Shiri Appleby leads a cast with real comic timing. There is no real reason to keep putting it off.

Kristin's Christmas Past arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. The jokes in Kristin's Christmas Past land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Kristin, a cynical 34-year-old, drinks a mysterious champagne on Christmas Eve and wakes up seventeen years in the past, sharing a room with her 17-year-old self. Given the chance to change the worst Christmas of her life, she attempts to fix past mistakes, only to discover surprising truths about her family that may help her mend her present-day relationships. Shiri Appleby and Hannah Marks lead a cast with the timing to make it work. It was released in 2013. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and Kristin's Christmas Past holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, Kristin's Christmas Past respects your intelligence. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Shiri Appleby sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.

Kristin's Christmas Past was released in 2013, directed by Jim Fall. The full 83-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.