Ringer Dish 3rd Day of Bingemas: ‘Christmas Above the Clouds’ With Rob Mahoney
Nov 24, 2025
Rob Mahoney, a longtime contributor and film critic, joins to unpack Hallmark’s 'Christmas Above the Clouds.' The duo discusses the film's clever Dickensian parallels and the surprising depth of lead characters Ella and Jake. They delve into themes of workplace culture, the humor of ghostly visits, and the significance of emotional revelations. Rob highlights the film's unique charm, from the airport reunion to Ella's transformative journey, all wrapped up in festive cheer and a nod to classic holiday narratives.
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Episode notes
A Christmas Carol On A Plane
- Christmas Above the Clouds is a straight-up A Christmas Carol riff transplanted to a red-eye flight with corporate satire.
- Jodi Walker and Rob Mahoney note the film uses Dickensian beats to critique grind culture and capitalism.
Girlboss Scrooge And Grind Culture
- The movie frames its Scrooge figure as a female CEO whose ambition and mentorship led to emotional isolation.
- Rob and Jodi see the film interrogate how grind culture and mentorship perpetuate cold workplace hierarchies.
Office Details Tell The Story
- Jodi and Rob describe Ella's office persona with office jokes (55-degree floor, 'Krampus' nickname, Bobby Cratchit).
- They use these details to show how the film signals Scrooge analogues through workplace behavior and names.
