'Hot Frosty' Reviews: "Chabert, having recently abdicated the throne as the reigning queen of Hallmark movies, nimbly negotiates the broader comedic tones of the material, grounding the magical realism in emotional honesty"

         On November 13, 2024, Netflix released 'Hot Frosty', which has received predominantly positive reviews from critics. In the film, "Two years after losing her husband, Kathy magically brings a handsome snowman to life! Through his naïveté, the snowman helps Kathy to laugh, feel and love again, as the two fall for each other just in time for the holidays... and before he melts." The ensemble cast includes Lacey Chabert, Katy Mixon, Lauren Holly, Dustin Milligan, Chrishell Stause, Joe Lo Truglio, and Craig Robinson. But what did the critics say?

        Courtney Howard of Variety says, "The narrative delivers some refreshing highlights for the benefit of Netflix’s Holiday Cinematic Universe, specifically acknowledging its target audience’s yearning for a sprinkling of cheeky, wanton lust alongside its gentle yet genuine dramatics." Adding, "Chabert, having recently abdicated the throne as the reigning queen of Hallmark movies, nimbly negotiates the broader comedic tones of the material, grounding the magical realism in emotional honesty. She gifts her protagonist with deep wells of wisdom, perseverance and vulnerability. Milligan turns in a muscular performance, channeling naive innocence with dashing wit and a compelling command, outfitting his character with a bright interiority. Although Katy Mixon Greer is dealt short shrift in her supporting role as Kathy’s friend Doctor Dottie, Lo Truglio’s doofy cop shtick augments the proceedings. Robinson is also funny as the foe, but he has the misfortune of pulling off the film’s weakest scene when his character mistakes simple wordplay for a metaphor."

        Amy Nicholson of New York Times writes, "Here’s the pitch for “Hot Frosty”: A widow wraps an enchanted scarf around a hunky snowman who springs to life and professes his love. Here are the two possible audience reactions: “How dumb!” and “How dumb — can’t wait to watch!”

Photo by Wouter Supardi Salari on Unsplash

       Sarah Musnicky of But Why Tho? A Geek Community praises the film, stating, "Hot Frosty is ultimately a silly, fun time. The premise of a snowman coming to life as a flesh and blood man and engaging in shenanigans around town lends itself to that, and therein lies its strength." Continuing, "That said, there must be something in the town’s water in Hot Frosty because the speed at which everyone jumps on the train of, “Yes, this snowman is very much alive,” is gobsmackingly hilarious. Granted, this is a film set in the Netflix Holiday Movie Universe, so it does lend itself to characters accepting the unacceptable rather quickly.  It’s just glaringly obvious how quickly everyone, except for the Sheriff (Craig Robinson) the town barely tolerates, jumps on the Jack train."