Ringer Dish 2nd Day of Bingemas: 'A Merry Little Ex-Mas' With Kate Halliwell
Nov 20, 2025
Join Jodi Walker and guest Kate Halliwell, a frequent contributor and pop culture enthusiast, as they dive into Netflix’s 'A Merry Little Ex-Mas.' The duo explores the quirky charm of fake town Winterlight and dissects characters like the charming yet suspicious Tess, played by Jamila Jamil. They candidly discuss parenting woes, emotional labor, and the film's heartwarming moments, including a touching scrapbook scene that moved them to tears. With laughs and insightful critiques, they navigate the holiday chaos and emotional dynamics of a divorced couple.
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Holiday Tropes Meet Real Emotional Labor
- Netflix holiday movies blend familiar cozy tropes with unexpectedly real emotional labor about marriage and sacrifice.
- Jodi Walker and Kate Halliwell note that the film pairs hallmarks of holiday romcoms with a sharper critique of domestic labor.
Sacrifice Fuels Marital Resentment
- Kate and Jodi highlight how the heroine sacrificed career ambitions for family and ended up feeling like a 'single mother with a wedding ring.'
- That setup fuels the film's tension about support, resentment, and who gets to pursue dreams.
Secret Girlfriend Sparks Christmas Conflict
- Jodi recounts how Everett hid a new girlfriend from his wife nine months into separation and then invited her to Christmas without telling Kate.
- The hosts use this storyline to show Everett's inconsiderate behavior as a key conflict driver.
