Netflix’s Our Little Secret is a hilariously chaotic joy ride, made even better because of the quiet chemistry between Lindsay Lohan and Ian Harding. In fairness, when it comes to second chance romances, I always want more yearning and angst, but the humor is so astute here that I’ll let it pass. More than anything, it feels like an oddly comforting Christmas movie for people who adore The Family Stone or Holidate.
The interesting thing about Lohan’s prowess is that she makes every film she’s in a load of fun. I’ve personally never watched one I’ve hated, even if I didn’t love it. Her star power comes from her charm and wholesome approach to characters, which is the case in Netflix’s Our Little Secret. And with an ensemble cast as grand as this, featuring stars like Kristin Chenoweth, the story has to balance out the narratives.
This much it does, making the movie more of a comedy than a romance, yet it still thankfully features the happy ending we’re all likely hoping for. Additionally, it’s compelling to see Logan and Avery reconnect by establishing their friendship again to showcase that, this time, they could survive the perils that come their way. Still, there’s the matter of Avery’s grief, which I wish the film explored a little more because when it does, it gives the actors the best material to work with. There’s one scene in particular where they’re back in the place where everything fell apart, and the weight of their adoration for one another is fully palpable. There, the moment of vulnerability we get brings all that longing to the surface and underscores why they’re the perfect pair for each other.
As the film pairs the two of them up again, we get some solid moments to understand them better, making some of the best moments when it’s the two of them against everyone else. The language they establish that relies on no one else being aware of what’s happening establishes a fun dynamic that contrasts the clear anxieties they felt before their breakup. The movie makes it clear that they’ve both grown from their past mistakes, and it does so in a way that gives the actors meaty room to show us everything we need to know.
However, the majority of Netflix’s Our Little Secret is one messy bombshell after another. These types of hijinks aren’t new or unique, so they ultimately make the film predictable, yet it’s this formula that fans of Christmas movies often come back for. It’s fun—it doesn’t need to be anything more grand than that.
If you’re going into the movie expecting an achingly warm second chance romance, alter those expectations. This is lighter and more heavily focused on family matters, even while it centers on Logan and Avery. It’s more geared toward people who love their holiday films with a side of romance as opposed to an entire arc, yet it’s still worth watching because of everyone involved. I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed it, even when I was fully ready to have my heart ripped out of my chest and put back inside.
Our Little Secret is now streaming on Netflix.
First Featured Image | Official Poster Credit: ©Netflix