Get ready to feel all the nostalgia because Netflix just dropped the ultimate Christmas gift for millennials: Merry Little Ex-Mas, starring none other than Alicia Silverstone and Melissa Joan Hart. Yes, you read that right—these two '90s icons are finally sharing the screen for the first time ever. If you grew up in the era of Clueless and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, this movie is basically a time machine wrapped in a bow. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the casting is a dream come true, the plot might leave you shouting at your screen. Let me explain.
Directed by Steve Carr and written by Holly Hester, Merry Little Ex-Mas follows Kate (Silverstone), a soon-to-be divorcée who’s ready to ditch her unhappy marriage and start over. She’s got a job offer in the big city, her youngest is off to college, and she’s done with her husband Everett’s (Oliver Hudson) small-town life. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Wrong. This is a Christmas movie, after all, and we all know how those go. But don’t worry—the real magic happens when Silverstone and Hart, playing her best friend April, share the screen. Their chemistry is undeniable, and Hart even called the cast a ‘dream come true’ in an interview with Netflix’s Tudum.
For anyone who missed the '90s, let’s break it down: Silverstone and Hart were the ultimate teen icons. Silverstone’s Cher Horowitz in Clueless (1995) and Hart’s roles in Clarissa Explains It All and Sabrina the Teenage Witch made them household names. If you were a teen girl back then, these two were your role models. Fast forward to 2025, and they’re still making waves—though Hart’s role in this film is a bit underwhelming, even if she does get to swoon over the obligatory Christmas hunk (played by Pierson Fodé).
And this is the part most people miss: While millennials are celebrating this casting win, the movie also takes a few jabs at our generation’s obsession with nostalgia. Remember those Harry Potter-obsessed adults? Yeah, the film doesn’t let us forget how silly we sound in 2025. Fair point? Absolutely. But it’s also a reminder that growing up doesn’t mean letting go of the things we love—it just means finding new ways to enjoy them.
So, is Merry Little Ex-Mas the perfect Christmas movie? Not exactly. But it’s a heartwarming, laugh-out-loud ride that’s sure to spark some serious '90s nostalgia. Here’s the real question: Does the film’s critique of millennial nostalgia hit too close to home, or is it just playful banter? Let us know in the comments—we’re ready for the debate!
