Netflix has a specific formula for holiday movies, but Let It Snow the movie feels like it broke the mold just enough to actually matter. Most of these films are set in a fake-looking "Christmas Town" where everyone owns a bakery. This one? It’s set in Laurel, Illinois, during a massive snowstorm that actually feels cold. It's grounded. It’s messy. It’s got that specific kind of suburban midwest energy where a Waffle House (or the legally distinct "Waffle Town") is the only place left on earth.
If you haven't seen it, you've probably at least scrolled past the thumbnail featuring Kiernan Shipka or Shameik Moore. Released in 2019, it was adapted from the 2008 fix-up novel written by Maureen Johnson, John Green, and Lauren Myracle. It’s basically Love Actually but for Gen Z, swapping aging British rockers for teenagers trying to figure out if their best friend is actually their soulmate.
The movie works because it doesn't try to be a masterpiece. It just tries to be honest.
The Waffle Town Nexus: Why This Setting Works
Most teen movies fail because they feel like they were written by people who haven't spoken to a seventeen-year-old since the Clinton administration. Let It Snow the movie avoids this by leaning into the claustrophobia of a small town. When the snow shuts everything down, the stakes aren't world-ending; they’re social. Will the party at the Waffle Town actually happen? Will Tobin finally tell Angie how he feels before the plow comes?
There is something deeply relatable about the "Waffle Town" setting. It’s the sanctuary of the restless. In the film, Keon (played by Jacob Batalon) is trying to throw the party of the century while his parents are away, but the snow keeps getting in the way. It’s a classic trope, sure. But the execution feels authentic to that specific age where a single night feels like an entire lifetime.
The cinematography actually aids this. Unlike the bright, oversaturated look of many Hallmark-style productions, Let It Snow uses a cooler palette. You can almost feel the dampness of the slush. It makes the warmth of the diner feel earned rather than manufactured.
Breaking Down the Interwoven Narratives
The movie handles three main threads, and honestly, they aren't all created equal. You have Julie and Stuart, the "star-crossed" pair. Julie (Isabela Merced) is dealing with heavy real-world stuff—a sick mom and a deferred college acceptance to Columbia. Stuart (Shameik Moore) is a famous pop star stuck in town.
It sounds like a fanfiction prompt.
Surprisingly, it’s the most grounded part of the film. Their chemistry isn't explosive; it’s quiet. They spend most of their time just walking. It reminds you that sometimes the most romantic thing you can do is just listen to someone talk about their life for three hours.
🔗 Read more: All I Watch for Christmas: What You’re Missing About the TBS Holiday Tradition
Then there’s the Addie and Dorrie storyline. This is arguably the emotional heart of the film. Dorrie (Liv Hewson) is a Waffle Town waitress dealing with a "secret" romance with a cheerleader named Kerry. Addie (Odeya Rush) is Dorrie's best friend who is spiraling because she thinks her boyfriend is cheating. Addie’s plot is frustrating. She’s insecure and a bit self-absorbed, but that’s the point.
Teenagers are often self-absorbed.
Seeing her evolution from a girl obsessed with her boyfriend’s "read receipts" to someone who realizes her friendship with Dorrie is more important is a solid arc. It’s not flashy. It’s just growth.
The John Green Influence and the "Sad Teen" Aesthetic
You can see John Green’s fingerprints all over this. Even though he only co-wrote one-third of the source material, the film carries that Fault in Our Stars or Paper Towns DNA. There’s a specific kind of "philosophical teen" dialogue that happens here. Characters talk about the universe, the nature of love, and the fragility of time.
Some people hate this. They think it’s pretentious.
But if you remember being seventeen, you know that you actually did talk like that. You thought every conversation was the most important one ever had. Let It Snow the movie captures that earnestness without mocking it. It treats the characters' problems with respect, even the ones that seem trivial to adults.
The Supporting Cast is the Secret Weapon
While the leads get the posters, the side characters do the heavy lifting. Joan Cusack shows up as the "Tin Foil Woman." She’s essentially a Greek chorus in a tinfoil hat, driving a tow truck and dispensing cryptic wisdom. She’s weird. She’s eccentric. She’s exactly what the movie needs to keep it from getting too sugary.
Then there’s D’Arcy Carden. Most people know her as Janet from The Good Place. Here, she plays a publicist, and her brief screen time is a masterclass in comedic timing. These seasoned actors provide a necessary anchor. They remind us that there is a world outside of the teenage bubble, even if the characters can't see it yet.
💡 You might also like: Al Pacino Angels in America: Why His Roy Cohn Still Terrifies Us
Why We Keep Coming Back to Holiday Rom-Coms
Let’s be real. Nobody watches a movie like this for a plot twist. We know how it ends. The girl gets the guy (or the girl), the party is a success, and the snow creates a magical backdrop for a final kiss.
So why does it rank so high on Netflix every December?
It’s about the atmosphere. Let It Snow the movie provides a specific kind of escapism. It’s a world where the biggest threat is a snowbank and the worst-case scenario is a broken heart. In a world that often feels like it's falling apart, there is a profound comfort in watching a group of kids figure it out in a diner.
The soundtrack also helps. It’s a mix of indie-pop and holiday classics that doesn't feel cheesy. It feels like a playlist a real person would actually make. When "Whole of the Moon" starts playing, you can't help but feel a little bit better about things.
Comparing the Movie to the Book
If you’re a purist, you’ll notice changes. The book is three distinct novellas that overlap. The movie blends them more seamlessly.
One of the biggest shifts is the character of Julie. In the book, her conflict is a bit more internal. In the movie, the stakes with her mother’s health are heightened. It gives the film a weight that the prose didn't always have. Conversely, some of the humor in the Tobin and Angie (The Duke) storyline feels a bit more "slapstick" in the film version. The whole "stolen keg" plotline is pure teen movie trope territory, but it works because of the chemistry between Mitchell Hope and Kiernan Shipka.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Film
A common criticism is that the movie is "predictable."
Well, yeah.
📖 Related: Adam Scott in Step Brothers: Why Derek is Still the Funniest Part of the Movie
Criticizing a holiday rom-com for being predictable is like criticizing a glass of water for being wet. That’s the point of the genre. The value isn't in the what; it’s in the how. Let It Snow succeeds because the "how" involves diverse casting that feels natural, queer representation that isn't a "very special episode" plot point, and a genuine sense of place.
It also avoids the "mean girl" trope. There’s no central villain. Even the characters who act poorly (like Kerry or Addie’s boyfriend) are shown to be complicated or just scared. It’s a kinder movie than most of its predecessors. It suggests that most people are just trying their best, even when they’re failing.
Key Takeaways for Your Next Rewatch
If you’re going to sit down with this movie again, pay attention to the background details. The production design at the Waffle Town is incredible. It feels lived-in. Look at the way the lighting shifts from the cold blue of the exterior to the warm orange of the interior. It’s a visual representation of the safety the characters find in each other.
Also, watch the "Waffle Town" dance sequence. It’s a bit cringe-worthy, but in a way that feels authentic to a group of bored employees trying to entertain themselves. It’s those small, human moments that elevate Let It Snow the movie above the sea of generic holiday content.
How to Get the Most Out of Let It Snow
To truly appreciate what this film is doing, you have to approach it with the right mindset. This isn't high art; it's a mood.
- Watch it on a rainy or snowy day. The immersion factor goes up by 200%.
- Don't skip the book. If you liked the movie, the original stories by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle offer way more internal monologue and dry humor.
- Check out the soundtrack. It’s one of the rare holiday movies where the music could stand alone as a solid winter playlist.
- Look for the cameos. Beyond Joan Cusack, there are several nods to the authors and the genre hidden in the background.
The film is currently streaming on Netflix. It’s a quick 92 minutes. It won't change your life, but it might make your evening a little bit warmer.
Practical Next Steps:
- Host a "Winter Comfort" Double Feature: Pair Let It Snow with The Holiday or Dash & Lily for a binge session that captures that specific cozy aesthetic.
- Read the Original Novellas: Pick up the 2008 book to see how the three authors' distinct voices were woven together compared to the film's singular vision.
- Explore the Cast's Other Work: If you liked Kiernan Shipka here, check out Chilling Adventures of Sabrina for a much darker vibe, or Shameik Moore in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse to see his range as a lead.
The real magic of the film isn't the snow; it's the reminder that even when things are frozen and stuck, life keeps moving forward. Sometimes, all you need is a diner, some fries, and the right person sitting across from you.