It is almost impossible to find a Christmas movie that successfully blends a cold-blooded murder mystery with a shirtless ghost and a high-stakes real estate deal. Yet, here we are. When The Spirit of Christmas (2015) first landed on Lifetime, most people figured it was just another "lawyer finds love in a small town" trope-fest. It isn't. Well, it is, but with a weirdly gothic, Jane Eyre vibe that actually works.
Honestly, the plot sounds like a fever dream. Kate Jordan, a workaholic lawyer played by Jen Lilley, is sent to a remote inn in Vermont to wrap up a sale before the end of the year. The catch? The place is haunted by Daniel Forsythe (Thomas Beaudoin), a man who was murdered 95 years ago and returns for the twelve days of Christmas every year as a solid, breathing human being. He doesn't want the house sold. She needs the promotion. Naturally, they start solving his cold-case murder while drinking a lot of cider.
It’s easy to dismiss these movies. Critics usually do. But there is a reason this specific film has maintained a cult-like grip on streaming platforms like Hulu and Netflix over the years. It’s the chemistry. It’s the weirdly high production value for the flashbacks. It’s the fact that the ghost is actually grumpy instead of being a jolly holiday spirit.
Why The Spirit of Christmas (2015) Hits Differently
Most holiday films feel like they were written by an algorithm designed to sell sweaters. This one feels like it was written by someone who really liked 1940s noir but was told they had to include a Christmas tree in every shot.
The pacing is frantic. One minute Kate is arguing with her boss about a partnership, and the next, she's trying to figure out if a ghost can eat pancakes. He can, by the way. Because he becomes "solid" during the holidays, the movie bypasses the usual "I can't touch you" ghost drama and goes straight to "we are investigating a 1920s bootlegging operation." It’s a lot to take in.
Thomas Beaudoin’s performance as Daniel is the anchor here. He plays it straight. There is no winking at the camera or leaning into the absurdity. He is a man who was betrayed and killed, and he has spent nearly a century in a loop of grief. When he meets Kate, the clash of 1920s stoicism and 2015 "hustle culture" creates a friction that most Lifetime movies lack.
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The Mystery at the Center of the Inn
We have to talk about the murder. Usually, in a Christmas flick, the "mystery" is something like who stole the town's giant gingerbread man? Not here.
Daniel was a bootlegger. He was clubbed over the head and left to freeze. The movie spends a significant amount of time in sepia-toned flashbacks, exploring his life with his brother and his fiancé, Lilly. It gets dark. It touches on betrayal, alcoholism, and the weight of family legacy. The fact that Kate uses her actual legal skills to dig through old property records and police archives gives her more agency than your average rom-com protagonist. She isn't just there to be charmed; she's there to litigate a haunting.
The Aesthetic and the Vermont Setting
While the movie is set in Vermont, it was actually filmed in Massachusetts, largely at the Proctors Mansion Inn in Wrentham.
That house is a character. Huge. Creepy. Full of dark wood and shadows that make the Christmas lights look almost threatening at first. The director, David Jackson, uses the architecture to make the inn feel like a prison for Daniel. You really feel the isolation. When the snow starts falling—and it’s that heavy, cinematic fake snow that we all love—the atmosphere is genuinely cozy but unsettling.
Many viewers go looking for the "Hollymans Inn" after watching, only to find that the real-life location is just as grand. It’s one of those rare instances where the setting isn't just a green screen or a generic backlot. You can feel the drafts coming through the windows.
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Let's Be Real About the Writing
Is the dialogue perfect? No.
"I’m a ghost, Kate. I don’t have a future."
Lines like that are delivered with such sincerity that you kind of have to respect it. The movie avoids the "modern woman needs to learn the meaning of Christmas" trap by making the stakes about justice rather than just holiday cheer. Kate doesn't quit her job to bake cookies. She helps a man find peace so she can do her job better. It’s a subtle difference, but it matters for the character's integrity.
Also, the supporting cast—like Kati Salowsky and Steven A. Miller—do a lot of the heavy lifting in the 1920s scenes. They make the past feel lived-in, even if the budget didn't allow for Boardwalk Empire levels of detail.
Why People Keep Searching for This Movie Every December
There is a specific "Discover" itch that this movie scratches. It pops up in recommendations because it crosses genres. If you like romance, it's there. If you like "Who Done It" stories, it's there. If you like looking at attractive people in flannel, it is definitely there.
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- The Ghost Rules: The movie establishes a "magic system" that actually has rules. He appears on the 12th of December. He disappears on Christmas. He can't leave the property. Having boundaries makes the romance more tragic because there is a literal ticking clock.
- The "Solid" Twist: Most ghost stories are about longing from a distance. By making Daniel a physical person for twelve days, the movie allows for actual interaction. They can dance. They can fight. They can hunt for clues in the attic.
- The Ending: Without spoiling the specifics for the three people who haven't seen it, the ending isn't as tidy as you’d expect. It leaves a bit of a lingering question about what "forever" looks like for a man who is technically dead.
What Most People Get Wrong About The Spirit of Christmas (2015)
People often lump this in with the "so bad it's good" category. I think that's unfair. It’s actually just good. It knows exactly what it is. It’s a Gothic romance disguised as a cable TV holiday special.
There's a misconception that these movies are made in two days with zero effort. While the shoot was likely fast, the chemistry between Lilley and Beaudoin wasn't accidental. They spent time making the relationship feel earned. When Kate starts catching feelings, it isn't because he’s a ghost; it’s because he’s the first person in years who has actually challenged her intellectually.
Behind the Scenes Facts
- Thomas Beaudoin actually did a lot of his own stunts, which is hilarious considering most of the "stunts" involve looking broody in a barn.
- The film was a massive hit for the Lifetime network, often ranking in their top holiday broadcasts year after year.
- The script was written by Eirene Donohue, who has a knack for taking standard tropes and twisting them just enough to keep you from checking your phone.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re sitting down to watch this for the first time, don't go in expecting A Christmas Carol.
Look for the small details in the 1920s costuming. Pay attention to the way the lighting changes when Daniel is "ghosting" versus when he’s "human." There’s a distinct shift in the color palette that helps tell the story of his transition.
And honestly? Grab a drink. The movie is best enjoyed when you’re leaning into the melodrama. When Kate finds that old diary? Take a sip. When Daniel stares out a window while looking like a Calvin Klein model? Take another.
Actionable Insights for the Holiday Movie Binge:
- Check the Platform: As of 2025/2026, the movie frequently rotates between Lifetime Real Women, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. Don't pay for it unless it’s not on your subs; it almost always pops up for free somewhere in December.
- Pairing: This movie pairs perfectly with a heavy stout or a very strong peppermint tea. The vibe is "dark academia meets Hallmark."
- The Follow-up: If you liked the "supernatural holiday" vibe of The Spirit of Christmas (2015), your next logical steps are A Ghost for Christmas or the slightly more whimsical Midnight at the Magnolia.
- Research the Location: If you’re ever in New England, the Proctors Mansion Inn actually embraces its connection to the film. You can stay there and pretend you're solving a prohibition-era murder too.
Stop looking for the "perfect" holiday film and just embrace the weirdness of a man who dies, comes back, and falls for a lawyer. It’s a classic for a reason.