Watch Christmas Survival

Christmas Survival is a 2018 film that centers around two sisters, Olivia and Darcy, and their families as they gather together for Christmas. Olivia is a successful businesswoman with a seemingly perfect life, while Darcy is a stay-at-home mom who feels unfulfilled in her marriage. When both families come together for the holiday, tensions rise as old wounds are reopened and secrets are revealed.

The film opens with Olivia and Darcy getting into an argument over whose family will host Christmas. In the end, they decide to all gather at Darcy's home in the countryside. As soon as they arrive, Olivia's husband, Richard, begins to criticize everything about the house, making Darcy feel embarrassed and insecure.

Throughout the film, the sisters' relationships with their spouses are tested. Darcy's husband, Tom, is struggling with his job and feels neglected by his wife. Meanwhile, Olivia's marriage starts to unravel as she becomes increasingly distant from Richard, who is more concerned with his work than his family.

Adding to the chaos are the children, who seem to be getting into constant trouble. Darcy's son, Jake, is constantly causing mischief and getting into fights with his cousin, Archie. Olivia's daughter, Mia, is struggling to fit in with her cousins and feeling left out.

As tensions rise, the family members are forced to confront their issues and work through their problems. Darcy and Tom begin to communicate and reconnect, while Olivia and Richard realize that their marriage is in trouble and attempt to repair it.

Despite its heavy themes, Christmas Survival is also a heartwarming film filled with humor and holiday cheer. The scenes with the children are particularly charming, as they provide a bit of levity and remind us of the joy that the holidays can bring.

The film is brought to life by an excellent cast, with standout performances from Julian Ovenden as Richard, Gemma Whelan as Darcy, and Joely Richardson as their mother, Caroline. The actors have great chemistry and the familial relationships feel authentic and believable.

The setting of the film is also a standout, as the idyllic countryside provides a beautiful backdrop for the holiday festivities. The scenery is stunning, and the film captures the cozy, warm feeling of being home for the holidays.

Overall, Christmas Survival is a touching and relatable film that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to navigate family dynamics during the holidays. While it deals with serious issues, it ultimately leaves the viewer feeling uplifted and hopeful.

Christmas Survival is a 2019 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.