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Jingle Bell Heist’ Lands on Netflix as Critics Balance Stylish Look Against Slack Spark

Early reviews highlight polished London-set visuals alongside concerns over energy and romantic chemistry.

Overview

  • Netflix released the holiday caper-romcom today, starring Olivia Holt and Connor Swindells as two strangers who plot to rob a wealthy London department store.
  • Several outlets single out director-cinematographer Michael Fimognari’s work for elevating the film’s look and feel beyond typical seasonal fare.
  • Reactions vary from praise for a crowd-pleasing twist and charm to critiques of a low-energy pace, uneven writing, and thin on-screen chemistry.
  • The production filmed on location, with Brixton’s Loughborough Hotel transformed into Sterlings Department Store and The Victory Pub in Cambridge Heath used for key scenes.
  • Coverage credits Abby McDonald as the writer, though some reviews list Amy Reed as a co-writer, reflecting inconsistent early reporting on the screenplay byline.