Cast: Michael Strassner, Liz Larsen
Written By: Jay Duplass and Michael Strassner
Directed By: Jay Duplass
Release Year: 2025
Studio/Streamer: IFC Films
Runtime:101 minutes
Audio Description Created By: Audio Eyes
Written By: Sean Boggs
Narrated By: Rick Boggs
What Is it?: A man (Strassner) finds himself on a bit of an unexpected journey, when he finds himself in a dental emergency on Christmas Eve, and finds the only dentist (Larsen) open at the time.What starts with the promise of returning the favor slowly evolves into two strangers traveling Baltimore’s streets on Christmas Eve, trying desperately to avoid that which makes the holidays more difficult, while ultimately finding a new and unexpected bond in each other.
Why It Works: Loved this. It charmed my socks off. Much like last years Ghostlight, which IFC also distributed, I need to come to accept that I’ll find unexpected joy in a film of theirs each year. It is a departure from mumblecore of Jay Duplass, as he sets off on a solo effort without his brother, and instead teams up with the writer/star of The Baltimorons to craft a very unique Holiday tale. Hallmark doesn’t make this kind of film, but perhaps they should. Let’s be honest about their target demo, and just how many of them would like to be swept off by a younger man for the Holidays.
This isn’t the most obvious romance, as they do spend quite a bit of time just getting to know each other. It isn’t until you realize just how well these two seem to work together that you’re in a romance, and not just simply a Christmas Eve tale about two people helping each other. there’s a bond that forms, and despite having met this girlfriend, we’re not really excited to see her again.
The script does a decent job of throwing little jabs at the existing relationship, and forcing us to see that it is already frayed. that’s because most of the audience will need the extra push to root for a May December romance set in, well, December. Michael Strassner is perfectly fine in a role that could have been played by a multitude of actors. He has an Everyman feel, and because he’s so relatable, you could see yourself making similar choices. It really is Liz Larsen who steals the show, because she never feels like a cougar type, actively trying to lure a younger man. she just is simply being herself, and that is enough. It is just about as romantic as you can get, because she really doesn’t do anything, and he sees something worth pursuing, or at least exploring, in her character.
Most of the time, women seem to have to do something extraordinary, or wear flashy dresses to get attention. They have to fawn over a man. She never does any of that to spark the initial offering of a Christmas Eve spent together. She just needs to be herself, and accepted as such. Much like the cast of Ghostlight last year, who felt so human and real, Larsen brings a quality to her performance that feels like a debut, without it actually being one. this is like a discovery, but of someone who has been doing the work. I’d love to see more of her in the future.
For those who need trigger warnings in life, I’d mention that the film starts on what would be a dower note. Our lead attempts suicide, but is unsuccessful. it isn’t much of a spoiler, because it literally opens the film, but for anyone triggered by those things, there is this one scene. He survives.
The Audio Description: I don’t think Audio Eyes always reaches for the stars, but they certainly are far above what I would consider the median level of competency in audio description. the Boggses have made quite a few tracks for IFC, and this has such a low level of difficulty. It’s modern, set on one day, and is limited in cast size. Mostly, it is about highlighting the acting choices of the leads to support their emotional growth, and this track does that.
Why you Might Like it: It’s adorable, and while we’re forced to reckon with a May/December romance in a Christmas movie where the woman is the older character, if the roles were reversed, no one would bat an eye. A man of Larsen’s age could have dated a woman of Strassner’s age without their age gap even being brought up. this helps to normalize a concept that is prevalent in one direction, and avoided in the other.
Why you Might Not Like it: It’s set at Christmas, but could use more actual Christmas in it? I would think the uniqueness of the film would triumph, but I have to guess why someone may not like it.
Final thoughts: Effortlessly charming, warm, and funny, the Baltimorons is one of the best underdog surprises of 2025.
Fresh: Final Grade: 8.8/10
