Okay, truth time — I didn’t expect to love this movie. 

Like it? Sure. I’m a big fan of the NCU (Netflix Christmas Universe). I love The Christmas Prince, The Princess Switch, and their sequels. I think the awkward acting and slow-mo moments are good fun, and I’m always smiling when the movie ends in either a snowy smooch. The thing is, I like these movies in the same way that I like store-bought iced sugar cookies or those hairless cats: they’re cute and I’d never turn one down, they’re just also kind of gross. 

Love Hard, though, only had two singing scenes that made me cringe! I doubt that anybody’s going to be nominated for an acting award but I honestly believed that the two leads liked each other as human beings! Also, it’s a far cry from the Marianas Trench but this thing still had depth. Those sneaky writers (whose names are Daniel Mackey and Rebecca Ewing, for anyone wondering) included themes like family and integrity. All in all, I liked it a lot more than I thought I would and thought it was very impressive for the NCU.

I know what you’re thinking: “But Monika, you think everything is impressive! How can I trust your judgment?” Fair. Since I’ve given you my opinion, I’ll now give you some facts about this movie.

Love Hard is directed by Hernán Jiménez and stars Nina Dobrev as Natalie, a writer from L.A. who just wants a happy ending. Online dating is destroying her hopes of ever finding “the one,” but at least she’s managed to build a career out of it! (She has a popular column about her “disaster dates.”) Just when she’s about to give up on love, she matches with Josh Lin, who lives in New York and is absolutely perfect. Natalie really likes this guy, and she decides to surprise her new beau by flying to visit him for Christmas. What could go wrong?

Here’s what can go wrong: the Josh she meets is not the Josh she thought she knew! Natalie has been CATFISHED! (I know this is a shock, which is why I capslock’d it.) The real Josh (played by Jimmy O. Yang) used a photo of his buddy Tag (Darren Barnet) to create a profile, hoping that Tag’s mesmerizing eyes would get him matches. That worked, obviously, but now he has to deal with the consequences. 

I won’t say that Love Hard is a groundbreaking film, but it is fun. I mean, it’s named for Love Actually and Die Hard — Josh and Natalie’s favourite Christmas movies, respectively. That’s some creative titling, especially when you look at some other NCU movies. Also, they paid homage to two of the most classic Christmas flicks ever, which I think is awesome. (You might not believe Die Hard is a Christmas movie. If that’s so, I hate to be the one to break the news to you but you are mistaken. We can discuss it later.)

If you want a lighthearted, funny, heartwarming movie to watch while you eat some gingerbread, Love Hard gets a hearty recommendation from me.