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Comedy drama

Holiday Rush (2019): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Holiday Rush (2019) movie poster

Holiday Rush is a 2019 comedy drama directed by Leslie Small, starring Romany Malco as Rush Williams, Andrea-Marie Alphonse and Selena-Marie Alphonse. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes. IMDb users rate it 5.0/10.

IMDb rating
5.0/10
Echo Score
50
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Holiday Rush (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
Leslie Small
Genres
Drama , Comedy , Romance , Family
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Holiday Rush About?

The premise of Holiday Rush without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A New York radio DJ’s world is turned upside down when he suddenly loses his job and his comfortable lifestyle. Forced to adjust to a new reality, he and his producer team up with his aunt to rediscover the importance of family and the simple joys of the holiday season. Through this experience, he hopes to reconnect with his children and learn that the most valuable gifts are love and connection.

Holiday Rush Themes & Keywords

· 16 tags
  • christmas
  • radio station
  • african american family
  • radio dj
  • two word title
  • three generations
  • riches to rags
  • family man
  • family relationships
  • radio producer
  • happy ending
  • losing a job
+4 more
  • holiday family
  • holiday season
  • character name in title
  • title spoken by character
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Cast & crew

Holiday Rush Cast & Characters

Romany Malco leads the cast as Rush Williams, with Andrea-Marie Alphonse as Evie Williams and Selena-Marie Alphonse as Gabby Williams. Directed by Leslie Small; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Holiday Rush

· 6 more
From the director

More from Leslie Small

More films directed by Leslie Small, best-rated first: Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain, Don't Trip... He Ain't Through with Me Yet, Kevin Hart: What Now? and For the Love of Money.

Full filmography
Ratings

Holiday Rush Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate Holiday Rush 5.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in character & emotion (55) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

50 /100

Holiday Rush Echo Score Breakdown

Holiday Rush offers a modestly entertaining holiday experience tempered by uneven elements. While a few engaging comedic moments and sincere performances sustain viewer interest, the narrative often feels predictable and character arcs lack depth. Technical aspects are serviceable but inconspicuous, and the film seldom delivers lasting emotional impact. Overall, this family comedy holds some seasonal charm but struggles to rise above its formulaic shortcomings.

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

  • Art & Craft 50

    In terms of art and craft, the film delivers competent but unremarkable visual execution. Production design and cinematography maintain a functional holiday aesthetic without drawing attention. Editing choices often smooth transitions but fail to enhance narrative momentum. Direction provides clear staging yet lacks inventive framing. Overall, the technical presentation remains serviceable yet largely unobtrusive.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When it comes to character development and emotional resonance, the film exhibits mixed results. A handful of lead actors deliver nuanced performances that register genuine warmth, yet most family members are portrayed with shallow motivations and uneven emotional arcs. Chemistry between characters occasionally surfaces but often feels contrived. Overall, the character dimension provides some engagement but lacks consistent depth.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative leans heavily on predictable holiday tropes and familiar beats. Pacing fluctuates between brief moments of momentum and extended intervals of inertia that undercut engagement. Plot coherence suffers from rushed emotional arcs and unfocused thematic threads. Occasional uplifting scenes provide warmth, but the overall storyline remains formulaic and intermittently disengaging.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    When it comes to the sensory experience, the film offers an energetic score and festive sound design that contribute to a seasonal ambiance. Musical cues heighten lighthearted moments, though they rarely linger beyond their context. Visual style adheres to a conventional holiday palette with clear but unadorned imagery. Overall, the sensory elements support the mood but lack distinctive flair.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film provides momentary enjoyment but offers limited lasting appeal. Familiar narrative arcs and predictable resolutions reduce incentives for repeat viewing. A few heartfelt performances and occasional humor may prompt brief revisits during the holiday season, yet the experience does not reveal significant new insights. Overall, the rewatch value remains modest and seasonally constrained.

Plot

Holiday Rush Plot Summary

What happens in Holiday Rush from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 10 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Widowed hip-hop radio DJ Rashon “Rush” Williams faces a challenging turn of events after losing his job at WMLE, a radio station that has recently transitioned to a pop format following its acquisition by CamCom. This unexpected change leaves Rush and his four children—who have grown accustomed to a life of luxury—no choice but to downscale and move back into the humble abode of Aunt Jo Jo Robinson, where they lived prior to Rush’s rise to success.

Full summary

The whole story of Holiday Rush, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Holiday Rush Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Holiday Rush.

Holiday Rush | Official Trailer | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Holiday Rush?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What profession does Rush Williams have?

Cars

Cars in Holiday Rush

16 cars on screen, including the 2019 Lexus ES 350 and the Mercedes-Benz S 550 W222.

All 16 cars
  • 2019 Lexus ES 350 in Holiday Rush 2019 Lexus ES 350 Important role
  • Mercedes-Benz S 550 W222 in Holiday Rush Mercedes-Benz S 550 W222 Important role
  • 2012 BMW 3 F30 in Holiday Rush 2012 BMW 3 F30 Background role
  • 2001 Chevrolet Venture in Holiday Rush 2001 Chevrolet Venture Background role

Seen Holiday Rush?

FAQ

Holiday Rush FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Holiday Rush, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Holiday Rush?

Holiday Rush runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was Holiday Rush released?

Holiday Rush was released on November 28, 2019.

Who directed Holiday Rush?

Holiday Rush was directed by Leslie Small.

More films by Leslie Small

Who is in the cast of Holiday Rush?

Holiday Rush stars Romany Malco as Rush Williams, Andrea-Marie Alphonse as Evie Williams and Selena-Marie Alphonse as Gabby Williams, among 10 credited actors.

How is Holiday Rush rated?

Holiday Rush has 5.0/10 on IMDb, 56% on TMDB and 3.7/5 on Movie Insider.

Does Holiday Rush have a post-credit scene?

No. Holiday Rush has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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