Maddie Ziegler Trapped in Festive Time-Loop in Netflix's 'In A Holidaze'
This festive narrative revolves around Mae, a young woman grappling with personal turmoil during the holiday season, who unexpectedly finds herself reliving the same Christmas day. This temporal anomaly pushes her to confront her romantic missteps and emotional baggage, all while the future of her cherished family cabin hangs in the balance. The film promises a blend of holiday cheer and self-discovery, anchored by Ziegler's performance and a heartwarming supporting cast.
Netflix Unveils Trailer for 'In A Holidaze' Featuring Maddie Ziegler in Repetitive Christmas Quandary
On a crisp Thursday morning, October 15, 2026, Netflix released the first glimpse of its upcoming holiday feature, 'In A Holidaze,' starring Maddie Ziegler. The movie, adapted from Christina Lauren's popular romance novel, thrusts Ziegler's character, Mae, into an endless Christmas time-loop. The trailer opens with a distressed Mae confiding in family friend Benny, portrayed by Rob Lowe, detailing a significant romantic mishap. She recounts inadvertently kissing Theo (Elias Kacavas) instead of Andrew (Graham Phillips), the brother she truly intended to confess her feelings to, thereby, in her eyes, ruining the festive period. Lowe's character queries the mix-up, to which Mae confirms her affections for Andrew, expressing regret over her accidental embrace with Theo.
Tiffany Paulsen, who both penned and directed the film, sets the stage for Mae's predicament. The story's core premise sees a directionless twenty-something caught in a Yuletide cycle after a monumental romantic error, compelled to re-experience the same Christmas at her family's retreat until she uncovers the genuine source of her joy. Throughout the two-minute preview, Mae elucidates her current state: an "emotional wreck" reeling from her parents' divorce, played by Patton Oswalt and Jackie Sandler. This Christmas is particularly poignant, as it is slated to be the last time her extended holiday family gathers at their beloved cabin before its impending sale. A mysterious incident then plunges Mae into the recurring Christmas, forcing her to navigate the holiday repeatedly until she can break free from the loop.
'In A Holidaze' marks the inaugural screen adaptation for the acclaimed romance writing duo, Christina Lauren (the collective pseudonym for Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings). Known for their significant contributions to contemporary romance literature, the authors have several other projects in development, including an adaptation of their 2018 novel 'Love and Other Words' by the newly established Magic Hour Entertainment. The ensemble cast of 'In A Holidaze' further includes Andrea Anders, Gil Bellows, Christopher Shyer, Samer Salem, Luke Roessier, and Meredith Salenger. Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Koplovitz are producing the film, with Dutton Billings, Galen Fletcher, and Rob Lowe serving as executive producers. The film is scheduled to premiere exclusively on Netflix starting December 2.
This narrative of a festive time loop offers a comforting yet thought-provoking reflection on the importance of family, self-discovery, and embracing true feelings. In a world that often rushes through experiences, Mae's predicament reminds us to slow down, appreciate the present, and perhaps, with a touch of holiday magic, find clarity amidst the chaos. It highlights that sometimes, repeating the past can be the very path to understanding and improving our future, especially when it comes to matters of the heart and the bonds that define us.
