Sometimes you just want a Christmas movie that delivers exactly what it advertises. No subversive twists, no meta-commentary on the holiday industrial complex, just pure, unadulterated festive cheer. “North By North Pole: A Dial S Mystery” on UPtv seems custom-built for this purpose, promising a mystery, a romance, and enough Santa Claus to choke a reindeer.
The film centers on Zoey, whose dream of orchestrating the perfect Willow Creek Christmas Festival hits a snag when she’s forced to collaborate with Dalton, the sponsor’s son. Their clashing visions—Zoey’s traditionalist versus Dalton’s modern—set up the expected opposites-attract dynamic. And when mysterious events threaten the festival, they must put aside their differences to save Christmas, because naturally, that’s what happens in these movies. This is a holiday romance for people who really really love Christmas.
Abby Ross, Andrea Reindel, and Joey Scarpellino star, and while we’re not betting on any Oscar-worthy performances, we do love Santa’s side hustle as a mystery solver. The small-town charm of Willow Creek should round out the predictable yet comforting holiday package. So if you’re looking for something that won’t challenge your brain cells but might warm your heart, tune in.
“North By North Pole: A Dial S Mystery” premieres Sunday, December 22, at 7:00 PM on UPtv.
