A 2019 Netflix original, “Santa Girl” stars Jennifer Stone as Cassandra Claus – the daughter of the big guy – who grows tired of her magical life at the North Pole and decides to enroll in college for a chance to meet new people.
Yes, it plays off as corny as it sounds, but in a holiday mushy feel it works. Jennifer Stone is a mesmerizing character on screen. She possesses a contagious smile and a certain genuine quality that makes us actually believe Cassandra is a typical girl who longs for something more. “They want you with the beard and the red suit.” She complains to her father. “They don’t want some Santa girl.” Roll credits!
“Santa Girl” includes some great characters and acting performances. Legendary Barry Bostwick plays Santa Claus; not in the typical appearance as this incarnation is dressed in a dapper suit and avoids cookies to watch his figure. He runs Christmas like a business, and has some pretty funny lines as he meets with various other characters, like the antagonistic Jack Frost (Hank Stone) a character actor who you’ll go crazy wondering where it is you know him from.
Cassandra Claus aside, my Favorite Character Award goes to Pep (McKayla Witt) who plays an overly jovial elf that accompanies Cassandra to college. I won’t pretend to know McKayla Witt from anything else, but she fits the role of an always bubbly and easily fooled elf flawlessly.
“Santa Girl” is a straight fantasy, as all the primary characters have magical powers, and seemingly no need for trivial things like money of college degrees. Cassandra obviously meets a normal guy (Devon Werkheiser) fellow student who she has a romantic connection with and it’s the type of pairing you’ll find believable and adorable. All the things we look for when watching a movie like this.
“Santa Girl” is a fun film that you need to watch this holiday season. Probably more than once.
