“Unexpected Christmas” Brings Family Chaos and Holiday Heart to STARZ
Unexpected Christmas dives into the Scott family’s chaotic holiday reunion, where breakups, surprise guests, and long-held grudges turn one Christmas into a hilarious, heartfelt mess.
The Scott family navigates chaos, reunions, and holiday drama in Unexpected Christmas, now streaming on STARZ. Courtesy of Starz
There is always one holiday gathering in every family where things go sideways, and you wonder if the universe is conducting a social experiment. The Scott family in Unexpected Christmas has a whole movie set around them, not just one night. The 3 Diamonds Films dramedy premiered in theaters on November 7 and is now streaming on Starz.
A Reunion That Was Never Going to Go Smoothly
A House Divided — and Loving Every Messy Minute
The charm of Unexpected Christmas lies in its refusal to eliminate the drama. It leans into it. Marissa is attempting to avoid burning herself in front of her entire family by inviting a surprise guest of her own. Her decision is a source of instant fuel for whispers at the dinner table and side-eyes in every doorway. Kerry isn’t just fawning over a new romance, she’s plotting a deeper plan that could turn Momma Scott’s dream holiday into a full-blown family meltdown. A holiday gathering that feels too familiar for anyone who has ever survived a tense Christmas dinner is created by adding romantic confusion, old childhood resentments, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.
Holiday Movies Usually Go for Comfort — This One Goes for Truth
The majority of holiday movies promise warmth. While it promises honesty, it still provides warmth through the back door. Unexpected Christmas recognizes that actual families do not magically transform into perfect greeting-card families in December. Their baggage is carried along with their gifts. Reconnecting, arguing, forgiving, and repeating is what they do. The chaos is worth it when there are glimpses of love amid it all. Despite their difficulties, the Scotts operate as a genuine family: unpredictable, hilarious, exhausting, and deeply connected even when they pretend not to be.
Why “Unexpected Christmas” Works
The reason it functions is that it’s messy in a way that feels human, not artificial. Horsford, Perry, Gomez-Preston, and Lil Rel’s skill at playing both humor and sadness is why it works. The story and characters are driven forward by the film’s refusal to hide drama, which is why it works. Unlike most holiday movies, Unexpected Christmas is a plate of leftovers after a family argument that still tastes good, warm, and has a story behind every bite.
A Holiday Reunion with Emotional Mileage
The Scotts will still not be a perfect family by the time the credits roll. Despite the chaos, they have achieved what most families hope for during the holidays: moving a little closer. Perhaps it’s because of it.
[[Anthony L. McKnight II]] also known as Krispy was Born in Rochester, NY attending the “School Of The Arts” Class of 2009. He graduated with a Regents Arts diploma while studying Creative Writing and other arts. He recently became the founder of the Los Angeles Lakers Fan Club on Clubhouse. His club has hosted several celebrity interviews inside the fan club, from names such as Robert Horry, Gloria James, Mark Medina, Jovan Buha. His favorite hobby is spending a day out in nature, favorite sports basketball & football.
