‘In a Holidaze’ Trailer Released: Maddie Ziegler’s Christmas Time Loop on Netflix

Avatar photoRobert Milaković
IN A HOLIDAZE
Share:

Few concepts are as comforting as the time loop. When a character is forced to relive the same day, they must discover what truly matters. ‘Groundhog Day’ popularized this trope, and holiday romances have been drawing inspiration from it ever since.

Now, Netflix is adding its own festive twist to the idea. ‘In a Holidaze’ is based on the New York Times bestselling novel by the writing duo Christina Lauren. Fans of ‘Groundhog Day’ and ‘Life After Life’ have hailed the book as a perfect fit for the holiday season.

Audiences can now catch a glimpse of how this story comes to life on screen. Netflix has unveiled the first trailer, a two-minute teaser showcasing Maddie Ziegler caught in a Christmas time loop. The film is set to premiere on Netflix on December 2, concluding the streamer’s lineup of new holiday films.

Ziegler portrays Mae, and the trailer begins with her desperately seeking assistance from family friend Benny, played by a sleepy Rob Lowe. Mae has made a significant romantic blunder, kissing the wrong brother when she intended to kiss Andrew, portrayed by Graham Phillips, but ended up locking lips with his brother Theo, played by Elias Kacavas.

Mae describes herself as an emotional mess following her parents’ divorce, with her parents played by Patton Oswalt and Jackie Sandler. This Christmas marks the last time Mae and her chosen holiday family will gather at their beloved cabin, which is set to be sold.

The official logline encapsulates the story. After a monumental romantic mistake, a directionless twenty-something finds herself trapped in a holiday time loop, reliving the same Christmas at her family’s cabin until she uncovers what truly brings her joy. The trailer features picturesque snowy visuals of the lodge, glowing warmly against the dark winter night.

In the book, Mae has spent a year summoning the courage to express her feelings to Andrew. The trailer mirrors this setup, showcasing her kissing Theo instead. The cabin serves as a snowy Utah retreat where her family has celebrated the holidays every year since her birth.

Tiffany Paulsen directs and writes the film. She is a familiar name in Netflix’s holiday offerings, having directed the Emma Roberts comedy ‘Holidate’. Christina Lauren is the pen name of writing partners Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, and this project marks the first from Alloy Entertainment under its multi-year first-look agreement with Netflix.

The cast extends beyond the main characters, featuring Andrea Anders, Gil Bellows, Christopher Shyer, Samer Salem, Luke Roessier, and Meredith Salenger. Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Koplovitz are producing, with Lowe also serving as an executive producer.

The snowy backdrop was not created on a soundstage. Filming took place in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada, from late January to mid-March. These wintry British Columbia locations are sure to make the cabin feel like a character in its own right.

The film is part of a larger Christmas initiative. Netflix revealed its holiday trailer teaser on October 12, announcing four new films that will debut weekly from November through December. These include ‘Guarding Stars’, featuring Leighton Meester and Jared Padalecki, which premieres on November 18, and ‘Tyler Perry’s The Gospel of Christmas’.

‘In a Holidaze’ wraps up the holiday slate. With its time-loop premise and a love triangle involving two brothers, it promises a fresh take on the typical formula. For viewers who enjoy their rom-coms with a hint of fantasy, this might be just what the season calls for.

The real question is whether the film can capture the warmth of the book while introducing some surprises in the loop. If the trailer is any indication, it seems to deliver both humor and heart. Ziegler’s Mae appears to be a heroine worth rooting for as she navigates her way to a perfect Christmas.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!

Share: