Michelle Pfeiffer's Holiday Film Falls Flat for Prime Video Subscribers

Prime Video subscribers may have been expecting a heartwarming holiday film with the release of "Oh. What. Fun.," but the movie's underwhelming portrayal of an underappreciated mother has left many viewers disappointed. The film, directed by Pamela Martin and starring Michelle Pfeiffer, premiered on the streaming platform on December 5, 2025. According to Courtney Howard's review in The Southern Chronicles, the movie's impersonal tone and lack of depth in its characters make it feel like an unenthusiastic gift to mothers. "In what feels like an impersonal present gifted to mothers, a Christmas-obsessed mom crashes out after her complacent hubby and coddled adult children don't deliver the respect she deserves," Howard wrote. Industry insiders point out that the film's failure to deliver a compelling narrative may be due to its reliance on familiar holiday tropes. "The movie's attempt to subvert traditional holiday expectations falls flat, leaving viewers with a sense of déjà vu," said a film analyst, who wished to remain anonymous. Despite its promising premise, "Oh. What. Fun." fails to deliver a satisfying viewing experience. The film's cast, which includes actors such as Stephen Colbert and Christine Baranski, is wasted in underdeveloped roles. Pfeiffer's performance, in particular, is notable for its lack of emotional depth. The film's sound design and cinematography are also noteworthy, with a festive soundtrack and visually appealing holiday settings. However, these technical aspects are not enough to redeem the movie's narrative shortcomings. In an interview with Variety, Martin expressed her disappointment with the film's reception, stating, "I had hoped that 'Oh. What. Fun.' would be a fresh take on the holiday genre, but it seems that our attempt to subvert expectations has fallen flat." As for future developments, it remains to be seen whether Prime Video will revisit the holiday genre with a more successful film. In the meantime, viewers who were expecting a heartwarming holiday film may want to look elsewhere for their seasonal entertainment. The film is currently available on Prime Video, with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes.