Okay, but what part of Los Angeles did the Walker family live in, because, yes it snowed in LA last year, but that much? Come on, folks, let’s not get unreasonable now. Despite the wildly unusual Freaky Friday plot, this is the least believable part of the film, and yet none of that matters because Netflix’s Family Switch is a genuine holiday delight.
For something with such an obscure premise, the riveting thing is that you don’t even have to suspend too much disbelief—it’s all about the vibes. What could’ve been an overly sentimental story about a family understanding each other’s value is something entirely bigger instead. Based on Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s children’s book and adapted by Victoria Strouse and Adam Sztykiel, the hilarious frivolity blending with the more sincere beats makes for a comedy that feels like a classic. Throw in with the likes of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation or even Christmas With the Kranks—it works, even when it shouldn’t, and it delivers a thoroughly enjoyable time for the whole family.
In more ways than one, much of it has to do with the cast’s impeccable chemistry with one another and the performances that require not only learning from each other but also challenging mannerisms and evolving them. It certainly helps that we have comedic legends like Jennifer Garner and Ed Helms playing the parents, and of course, no film featuring Rita Moreno could ever be dull, but the kids hold their own pretty impressively, too. While we knew Emma Myers was a star to look out for from Netflix’s Wednesday, she brings a whole new level of excellence to her role in Netflix’s Family Switch, holding her own brilliantly and maintaining fantastic banter with Garner throughout. Brady Noon is a newer actor to us, but the same can certainly be said about his rapport with Helms, as well as the entire cast.
The film’s writing isn’t exactly unique, but it’s outright hilarious at times, finding a steady balance between sharp and awkward that engage steadily to bring two generations to the forefront and allow them both the opportunity to shine. And I, for one, would also take a whole spinoff of their neighbor, Matthias Schweighöfer’s Rolf, trying to figure out what’s happening between their toddler, Miles and their dog, Pickles. Simultaneously, while the laugh-out-loud moments are one thing, the pacing also establishes the needed understanding between parents and children to tell a thoughtful story about finding common ground that feels believable.
It’s predictable, sure, but surprisingly, this very expectedness works to bring the film’s theme to fruition gorgeously. We don’t turn to movies like this because we expect them to be something entirely mind-blowing, but we turn to them for the execution and mechanics that’ll lend themselves to holiday escapism.
Netflix’s Family Switch is far from flawless, but it’s a well-written, hilarious treat featuring a team of actors who undoubtedly had a blast together, which translates onto the screen with sparkling ease. The best holiday films always bring easy laughter, a little magic, and a whole lot of heart without trying too hard to beat viewers over the head with revelations. And here, we have all three with precision, chemistry, and plot points that shouldn’t work, yet they do—engaging from beginning to end, the film charms its viewers almost seamlessly.
Family Switch is now streaming exclusively on Netflix.