Oh What Fun Review: In this Christmas comedy film, overworked mother Claire is the one every holiday season who holds everything together. But when one holiday her family forgets her on a trip that she planned, she decides to go on a holiday herself and find the Christmas magic.
Oh What Fun Movie Cast
Michelle Pfeiffer, Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Denis Leary, Dominic Sessa, Danielle Brooks, Devery Jacobs, Havana Rose Liu, Maude Apatow, Jason Schwartzman, Eva Longoria, Joan Chen
Oh What Fun Prime Video Director
Michael Showalter
Oh What Fun 2025 Writer
Chandler Baker, Michael Showalter
The film has a runtime of 108 minutes.
Oh What Fun Review
In Michelle Pfeiffer’s Oh What Fun (stylised as Oh. What. Fun.), an overworked and underappreciated Claire finds herself searching for holiday cheer and meaning when her entire family forgets about her on an outing that she had meticulously planned. Of course, unlike Kevin McAlister, she decides to do some soul searching instead of waiting around for them at home.
The film is a sad showcase of mothers getting lost in the chaos of their families, where, in the end, there is no happiness to be had for her as the script makes her out to be an air-headed, crazy woman who drives from Texas to Hollywood to take part in a reality talk show. Of course, along the way, she faces some issues here and there, but more often than not, her journey is just as predictable and uninspired as you’d expect from a mom who has been taken for granted.
It’s the writing that ultimately lacks depth and nuance. There’s a general lack of festivity because watching Claire be pushed around like this is depressing and annoying, and you relate you that in some way, which makes the situation even more sad. As a result, the final twist feels like a slap in the face. I found the movie’s desperate attempts to make us understand that this is a Christmas movie to be a bit pathetic and annoying, especially because it probably expects us to judge it less harshly because of it. Well, you would be wrong.
The thing about this film is that, in 2025, it’s easy for people not to have these misunderstandings, unlike in Home Alone, because we have cell phones. That one small notion turns everything on its head because a grown woman can just call her family if something like this happens. Although I understand the spirit of why Claire might not reach out to her family, it doesn’t hold the same tension as a literal child being forgotten at home.
Unfortunately, the topic itself is an important one because, as I mentioned previously, you relate to Claire’s woes a bit if you have ever hosted anything. More often than not, mothers are forgotten and their hard work underappreciated as they work painstakingly to make everything perfect for everyone. The comedy is abysmal and so cringy, and you are genuinely left heartbroken for the thoughtful film it could’ve been had it not taken the boomer jokey route.
In the end, Christmas is lost for viewers who possibly thought this would be something more than just another below-average entertainer. The only good thing about it is Michelle Pfeiffer, who is supremely under-utilised and made into a laughing stock by the end. She’s the only good thing about this film, along with the other actors as well, who give their best to this depressing tale.
Final Thoughts
Oh What Fun is terrible. There is no holiday cheer to be had, and the rather interesting and important topic is somehow forgotten underneath a barrage of mediocrity and cringe comedy and dialogue bits that are nothing short of disappointing. My rating is for Pfeiffer, who is a delight and deserved so much more.
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