TMS 'Movie' Review: A Nonsense Christmas
(Netflix)
In the era of streaming and social media shorts, something like a traditional Christmas variety program can still exist. And the most recent example comes from popstar Sabrina Carpenter, who blends both the retro concept of a TV special with the references of 2024 culture. What could’ve been a clunky execution ends up mostly entertaining, though for a specific demographic. With a TV-14 rating, Sam Wrench’s A Nonsense Christmas takes full advantage of the lack of censorship not enforced on streaming platforms as well as Carpenter’s general unfiltered schtick.
From the opening number to the final sketch, Carpenter is completely taking the piss out of her own project. Making fun her own career, cheekily mocking Netflix, breaking 4th wall, mature jokes and gags clearly not for kids, re-writing the lyrics to both her own pop singles and Christmas classics to fit the novelty tone, and plenty of celebrity appearances; all while Sabrina does her throwback Ann-Margret/Joey Heatherton aesthetic.
(Netflix)
It’s equally farce as it is holiday fun. In between duets with Chappell Roan, Kali Uchis, Tyla and Shania Twain, there are some fun sketches, such as Kyle Mooney popping up as Sabrina’s fictional, shady brother-in-law; Nico Hiraga as a modern Scrooge who ghosts his girlfriends and cares most about his Silicon Valley tech job; and an unexpected Sean Astin as Santa Claus himself.
This isn’t your mom’s Bing Crosby or Bob Hope holiday special. It’s more in line with viewers of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” or general late night talk shows. If you’re a fan of low brow comedy from the 1980s-2000s or Carpenter in general, A Nonsense Christmas will give you 50 minutes worth of seasonal entertainment. For those who have been wondering about some feminists accusing Carpenter of catering to the male gaze with her retro sex kitten image, she actually acknowledges it in a fairly amusing way. And for the parents who were thinking of playing this program with the kids in the room, the dirty joke in the last segment will make you wish you saved this for a night with your significant other instead.