Holiday movies are usually a dime a dozen. You know the drill. A high-flying city executive gets stranded in a snowy town, falls for a guy in flannel, and suddenly forgets she had a mortgage in Manhattan. But Housewives of the North Pole? It’s a different beast entirely. It’s basically what happens when you take the DNA of a Bravo reality show and inject it directly into a scripted Christmas special. Honestly, it shouldn't work as well as it does.
Released back in 2021 on Peacock, it stars Kyle Richards and Betsy Brandt. Yes, that Kyle Richards from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Casting her wasn’t just a gimmick; it was the whole point. The movie leans so hard into the tropes of reality TV feuds that it feels like a fever dream for anyone who spends their Sunday nights watching Andy Cohen.
The Petty Rivalry at the Heart of North Pole
The plot centers on Trish (Richards) and Diana (Brandt). They’ve won the "Best Holiday House" decorating contest in North Pole, Vermont, for nine years straight. They are the undisputed queens of tinsel. But then, a massive blowout happens.
It’s not some grand, Shakespearean tragedy. It’s petty. It’s small. It’s exactly the kind of thing that starts a multi-episode arc on a real Housewives season. They stop speaking. They become bitter rivals. The town, which revolves around this contest, essentially starts to fracture.
What makes Housewives of the North Pole stand out is how it treats the decorating contest. It’s not just a hobby; it’s a blood sport. You’ve got these two grown women willing to burn their friendship to the ground over who gets the better lawn display. It’s hilarious because we all know someone who takes the holidays just a little too seriously.
Casting Chemistry and Bravo Meta-Humor
Kyle Richards plays Trish exactly how you’d expect—polished, slightly high-strung, and fiercely competitive. But the real surprise for many was Betsy Brandt. Most people know her as Marie from Breaking Bad (the one who stole the spoon). In this, she’s the perfect foil. She brings a grounded, slightly more eccentric energy that keeps the movie from becoming a total caricature.
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There are so many meta-nods to the Bravo universe. If you look closely, the way the scenes are edited—the sharp cuts, the dramatic pauses—mimics the "confessional" style of reality TV without actually using confessionals. It’s a smart move by director Ron Oliver. He knew the audience wasn't just looking for a Christmas story; they were looking for a parody of a genre.
The movie also features Jordin Sparks and Kyle Selig as the children of the two feuding mothers. Naturally, they fall in love. It’s a classic Romeo and Juliet trope but with more candy canes and fewer poisonings. Their romance provides the "heart" that holiday movies require, but let’s be real: we’re here for the mom-fight.
Why We Are Still Talking About It
Most streaming holiday movies disappear into the ether after December 26th. This one stuck around. Why? Because it tapped into a very specific demographic: the "Bravo-holics."
It’s a niche, but it’s a loud one.
There’s also the production value. Unlike some of those ultra-cheap movies that look like they were filmed in a garage with a single string of LEDs, the sets here are genuinely impressive. The "North Pole" town feels lived-in. The houses are legitimately over-the-top. You can tell the budget went into the glitter.
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Critics were split, of course. Some found it too cheesy. Others thought the reality TV parody was too on-the-nose. But for the fans? It was exactly what they wanted. It didn’t try to be Citizen Kane. It tried to be a fun, ninety-minute escape involving two women arguing about "the spirit of Christmas" while wearing four-inch heels in the snow.
Breaking Down the "Reality" of the Script
The script, written by Tippi Dobrofsky, Neal Dobrofsky, and Spyder Dobrofsky, manages to thread a needle. It has to satisfy the Hallmark-style requirements of a cozy winter movie while maintaining the edge of a satirical comedy.
One of the best elements is the "social media influencer" subplot. One of the daughters is trying to make it as a reporter/influencer and uses the feud for "clout." It’s a very 2020s touch that feels authentic to how a real-world feud would play out today. It’s not just about the neighbors seeing the fight; it’s about the whole world seeing it on a live stream.
Real-World Inspiration: Is North Pole, Vermont Real?
While the movie is set in a picturesque Vermont town, you won’t find a "North Pole, Vermont" on a standard map that looks exactly like the one in the film. It’s a fictionalized version of the quintessential New England Christmas village. However, places like Woodstock, Vermont, or even the real North Pole, New York (a theme park in the Adirondacks), capture that same vibe.
The obsession with holiday decorating is a real phenomenon, though. In places like Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, homeowners spend tens of thousands of dollars on professional installers. The rivalry depicted in the film isn't actually that far from reality for some neighborhoods.
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Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Holiday Binge
If you haven’t seen Housewives of the North Pole yet, or if you’re planning a rewatch, here is how to actually enjoy it without getting overwhelmed by the cheese:
- Watch for the Easter Eggs: If you’re a fan of The Real Housewives, look for the "taglines." The movie subtly references the way reality stars introduce themselves.
- Don't expect a masterpiece: Go in with the mindset that this is a satire. If you take the plot too seriously, you’ll miss the jokes.
- Check out the "making of" clips: Peacock released some behind-the-scenes footage of Kyle Richards talking about how her real-life experience influenced her character's "stink eye." It’s worth a watch.
- Look for the fashion: The costume design is intentionally "extra." From the coats to the jewelry, it’s meant to look like Beverly Hills moved to the mountains.
Final Thoughts on the North Pole Feud
Housewives of the North Pole isn't going to win an Oscar, and it doesn't want to. It’s a specific flavor of entertainment—glamorous, slightly ridiculous, and ultimately warm-hearted. It proved that there is a massive market for "genre-mashing" in the holiday space.
By taking the structure of a Christmas movie and the soul of a reality TV show, Peacock created something that feels more "human" in its pettiness than the standard, sanitized holiday fare. It’s about the fact that even at the most wonderful time of the year, people can still be absolute nightmares to one another. And honestly? That’s pretty relatable.
Next Steps:
To get the most out of this sub-genre, compare this film to the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City "Christmas" episodes. You’ll see exactly where the writers got their inspiration for the dialogue and the over-the-top outfits. Also, check out the other Peacock original holiday movies from that same era to see how they tried to replicate this "niche audience" success.