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What's After the Movie?
Romantic comedy

A Dickens of a Holiday! (2021): Cast & Ratings

A Dickens of a Holiday! (2021) movie poster

A Dickens of a Holiday! is a 2021 romantic comedy directed by Paul Ziller, starring Brooke D'Orsay as Cassie, Kristoffer Polaha and Camille Sullivan. It runs 1 hour 24 minutes and was made on a reported $2.6 million budget. Its Echo Score is 79/100.

Echo Score
79
budget
$2.6M
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A Dickens of a Holiday! (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 24m (84 min)
Director
Paul Ziller
Genres
Romance , Comedy
Original language
English
Budget
$2.6M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Dickens of a Holiday! About?

The premise of A Dickens of a Holiday! without spoilers.

To ensure the 100th anniversary of her hometown's Victorian festival is a success, Cassie invites Jake, an action movie star and former classmate, to play Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. The story explores the unexpected events and personal journeys that unfold behind the festive facade.

A Dickens of a Holiday! Themes & Keywords

· 37 tags
  • christmas
  • ohio
  • 100th anniversary
  • christmas festival
  • action movie star
  • female protagonist
  • theater director
  • community theater
  • high school classmate
  • reference to off broadway
  • single man divorced woman relationship
  • female talent agent
+25 more
  • personal assistant
  • bed and breakfast
  • product placement
  • brother brother estrangement
  • uncle nephew relationship
  • prima donna behavior
  • family restaurant business
  • tv interview
  • pocket watch
  • mix tape
  • reference to a christmas carol
  • brother brother reconciliation
  • job promotion
  • interrupted kiss
  • christmas eve
  • stage play
  • trademark
  • ends with a kiss
  • horse and carriage
  • five word title
  • exclamation point in title
  • television movie
  • made for television
  • author name in title
  • christmas movie
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Cast & crew

A Dickens of a Holiday! Cast & Characters

Brooke D'Orsay leads the cast as Cassie, with Kristoffer Polaha as Jake and Camille Sullivan as Marilyn. Directed by Paul Ziller; 19 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Paul Ziller

More films directed by Paul Ziller, best-rated first: Love in Store, Private Princess Christmas, Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans and Curious Caterer: Fatal Vows.

Full filmography
Ratings

A Dickens of a Holiday! Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 79/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (68).

79 /100

A Dickens of a Holiday! Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, the film delivers a warm holiday experience anchored by strong lead performances and appealing production design. Reviewers consistently note the chemistry between the protagonists and the charming festive atmosphere, while acknowledging a predictable plot and occasional visual missteps. The combination of heartfelt moments and seasonal visuals creates a solid, if not groundbreaking, entry in the Hallmark catalog, making it enjoyable for most viewers.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, the movie benefits from inviting set pieces and period‑appropriate décor that reinforce the holiday mood. Several reviewers highlight the beautiful props and scenery, though one critic points out distracting cinematography choices. The overall production design is competent, but the visual execution shows occasional inconsistency.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, the leads receive abundant praise for nuanced performances and palpable chemistry. Multiple users describe the actors as engaging and capable of conveying genuine affection. A minority of comments note wooden delivery from one lead, but the dominant sentiment affirms the characters as a strong point of the film.

  • Story & Flow 68

    Story and flow are seen as enjoyable yet familiar, with a plot that follows a conventional Hallmark template. Reviewers appreciate the premise of a play‑within‑a‑play and find the narrative entertaining, though several mention predictable resolutions and a forced climax. The pacing remains steady, but originality is limited.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Sensory experience is characterized by a cozy holiday soundtrack and cohesive visual style that supports the festive setting. While most viewers find the overall aesthetic appealing, one reviewer cites unsatisfying shot composition that detracts from immersion. The sensory elements generally reinforce the film's warm atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 82

    Rewatch factor is high, as many users express a desire to view the movie repeatedly during the season. The combination of charming performances, festive visuals, and comforting storyline fuels lasting appeal. Even critics who note flaws agree the film remains a pleasant repeat watch for holiday audiences.

Videos

A Dickens of a Holiday! Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 teaser, 1 clip and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

Preview
  • Clip Sneak Peek
  • Behind the Scenes On Location
Details

A Dickens of a Holiday! Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “Christmas Stand-In” and “Um Show de Natal”.

Also known as
  • Christmas Stand-In
  • Um Show de Natal
  • Коледа по Дикенс
  • Dickensovské Vánoce
  • Dickens-i ünnep
  • Dickens na Święta
  • ¡Un Dickens de vacaciones!
  • Vianočná koleda

Seen A Dickens of a Holiday!?

FAQ

A Dickens of a Holiday! FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget and post-credit scenes of A Dickens of a Holiday!, each answered in a sentence.

How long is A Dickens of a Holiday!?

A Dickens of a Holiday! runs 1 hour 24 minutes (84 minutes).

When was A Dickens of a Holiday! released?

A Dickens of a Holiday! was released on December 10, 2021.

Who directed A Dickens of a Holiday!?

A Dickens of a Holiday! was directed by Paul Ziller.

More films by Paul Ziller

Who is in the cast of A Dickens of a Holiday!?

A Dickens of a Holiday! stars Brooke D'Orsay as Cassie, Kristoffer Polaha as Jake and Camille Sullivan as Marilyn, among 19 credited actors.

What was the budget of A Dickens of a Holiday!?

A Dickens of a Holiday! had a reported budget of $2.6 million.

Does A Dickens of a Holiday! have a post-credit scene?

No. A Dickens of a Holiday! has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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