If you’re a Pentatonix fan, then the Netflix movie Meet Me Next Christmas—which began streaming today—is a must-watch. Not only is the popular a cappella group from Texas a plot point in this adorable holiday rom-com, they are also featured in the film—and they’re hilarious. Seriously, these guys may want to consider a career pivot to acting. They have the rizz!
Directed by Rusty Cundieff, with a screenplay by Molly Haldeman and Camilla Rubis, Meet Me Next Christmas is the first 2024 Netflix original Christmas movie in the streamer’s line-up of many more to come. Former pop star Christina Milian (who also starred in Netflix’s Falling Inn Love and Resort to Love) stars as Layla, a woman who has a picture-perfect airport meet-cute with a handsome guy named James (Kofi Siriboe). The only problem? Layla already has a boyfriend. James makes her a deal: If, for some reason, they are both single next Christmas, they will meet at the Pentatonix Christmas Eve concert at Radio City, aka the concert Layla goes to every year.
Wouldn’t you know it, Layla and her current boo break-up right before the next Christmas Eve. When Layla sees that James already has a ticket to Pentatonix, she figures it’s meant to be. Unfortunately, Layla doesn’t have a ticket, and the show is sold out. She hires a concierge named Teddy (Devale Ellis) to find her a ticket, and the wild goose chase is on. (Here’s where you’ll have to suspend your disbelief that Pentatonix tickets are, apparently, harder to get than Taylor Swift tickets.)
About twenty minutes in, Meet Me Next Christmas lets the audience see the story unfold from Pentatonix’s point of view. Singers Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Matt Sallee, and Kevin Olusola all play themselves, and they aren’t afraid to be the butt of the joke. When their long-suffering manager (Nikki Duval) informs them they can’t have any extra family and friends tickets, because the show is sold out, Hoying responds, “OK, famous?” and they all take a moment to preen at their career success.
Then, in a recurring bit that never wears out its welcome, they burst into a spontaneous, harmonized song. “We were not famous, but now we’re famous,” they croon, while Olusola provides his signature beatbox. “We did it!”
In a desperate attempt to get the ticket, Teddy sends a message to the Pentatonix Instagram. He keeps sending messages to keep them updated on the search, and the band become invested in this potential love story. All the while, they play the part of conceited, self-involved pop stars. It’s refreshing and hilarious to see semi-famous celebrities so comfortable poking fun at themselves. At one point, Grassi mocks Layla by calling her “Lame-la” and Hoying high-fives him for it. Later, Hoying tries to read a quote from Brené Brown, and his bandmates abandon him. It’s all very silly, and that’s what makes it so charming.
I have to admit, I’m a much bigger Pentatonix fan now than I was before watching this film.
In addition to blessing us with their acting chops, Pentatonix also released a new song for the Netflix movie, titled, appropriately, “Meet Me Next Christmas,” which you can listen to in the video player above. If you want to see the real group perform this year, you can catch them at Madison Square Garden on November 26. There are still plenty of tickets available.