With Christmas just 11 days away, TMC is premiering the heartwarming telefilm “A Hellish Christmas” on December 14 at 10:15 AM, featuring Fran Drescher. The story follows Hugo, who returns to Milwaukee and reconnects with his high school crush, Patrick. As their romance blossoms, Hugo’s impending job move to London and his efforts to organize a local festival complicate matters. This film offers a refreshing LGBTQ+ perspective within the traditional holiday narrative, highlighting love and community acceptance.
With just 11 days remaining until Christmas, the excitement of family gatherings is palpable! TMC is here to elevate your holiday spirit with a lineup of delightful Christmas telefilms every weekend.
This Saturday, December 14, tune in at 10:15 AM for the premiere of A Hellish Christmas, starring the beloved Fran Drescher, famously known for her role as Fran Fine in The Nanny.
A Heartwarming LGBTQ+ Romance
Hugo, alongside his best friend Maddy, returns to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the holiday season, where he unexpectedly encounters Patrick, a former high school classmate from over a decade ago.
There’s an undeniable chemistry between Hugo and Patrick, but the looming prospect of Hugo’s move to London for a job promotion complicates their budding romance. Amidst this, Hugo also has to assist his mother in organizing a magical festival and fight to preserve the historic train station that’s threatened with demolition.
Should You Watch It?
As Christmas telefilms flood our screens starting in November, the familiar formula often unfolds: a career-driven woman from a bustling city (often New York) finds herself in a quaint town that celebrates Christmas to the fullest.
In these charming locales, she usually encounters a handsome man (preferably wealthy) who inspires her to abandon her fast-paced life for a simpler, happier existence. This repetitive storyline can sometimes make it challenging to find a refreshing take on the genre, especially as many channels, including TF1 and M6, recycle the same tropes and familiar faces year after year.
However, A Hellish Christmas, airing on Tuesday, November 9 at 1:55 PM, brings a breath of fresh air to the holiday film landscape. While the overall narrative may not stray far from the classic love story, it shines with its representation of a gay couple, marking it as a progressive addition to the genre.
This represents a significant step forward for a traditionally conservative genre that often overlooks characters of color and LGBTQ+ narratives. Instead of focusing on coming-out stories or familial acceptance struggles, the film presents two characters who are already out and embraced by their community. It’s a refreshing portrayal that normalizes sexual orientation as a mere aspect of life, rather than a source of conflict.
Fran Drescher beautifully fulfills the role of the matchmaking mother, bringing her iconic charm to the screen. Alongside her is Ben Lewis from Arrow, who plays her son, Hugo.
Patrick, the object of Hugo’s affection, is portrayed by Blake Lee, known for his role in Cruel Summer. The real-life chemistry between the actors translates seamlessly to their on-screen dynamic, enhancing the film’s emotional depth.
In conclusion, while A Hellish Christmas adheres to the traditional festive storyline, it successfully weaves in a heartfelt love story that keeps viewers engaged and hopeful for a sequel.