Kristin Davis
Kate Conrad
Holiday in the Wild
“A romance off the beaten path”
2019
1h 25m
Director: Ernie Barbarash
Overview
When her husband abruptly ends their marriage, empty nester Kate embarks on a solo second honeymoon in Africa, finding purpose and potential romance.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
6 min readThe Elephant in the Rom-Com
I’ll admit it: I went into Holiday in the Wild expecting a Hallmark movie with a safari filter. And in many ways, that’s exactly what it is. But somewhere between the predictable beats—wealthy white woman rediscovers herself!
Love interest with a square jaw!—there’s a quiet, stubborn pulse that kept me watching. Maybe it’s the elephants.
The film opens with Kate Conrad (Kristin Davis), a Manhattanite whose husband drops the marital equivalent of a grenade just as their son leaves for college. "I don’t love you anymore," he says, as if love were a subscription service he’d forgotten to cancel. The timing is so cruelly efficient it borders on parody.
(Then again, so does the rest of the setup: Kate’s idea of grief is booking a solo trip to Zambia, because of course she can.) But here’s the thing: Davis sells it. Not with grand gestures or tearful breakdowns, but with the kind of exhausted stillness that makes you believe she’s spent years perfecting the art of smiling through disappointment. When she arrives in Africa, her posture is still rigid with the effort of holding herself together—shoulders squared, chin slightly lifted, as if she’s afraid that if she relaxes, she might shatter.
That’s where the film’s first real surprise comes in. Holiday in the Wild isn’t just set in Africa; it’s shot there, in the kind of golden-hour light that makes you understand why people used to call it the "dark continent" not out of ignorance, but envy. The landscapes are vast, untamed, and—crucially—free of the sanitized sheen of a studio backlot. Director Ernie Barbarash, who cut his teeth on seasonal TV movies, knows how to frame a shot for maximum emotional impact, and here, he lets the environment do half the work.
The camera lingers on the curve of an elephant’s trunk, the way dust kicks up under a jeep’s tires, the sheer scale of the sky. It’s the kind of cinematography that makes you forget, for a moment, that you’re watching a Netflix rom-com.
And then there are the elephants. Oh, the elephants. The film’s real star isn’t Davis or Rob Lowe (who plays Derek, the predictably rugged pilot with a heart of gold and a son who conveniently looks like a younger version of himself).
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.2/10
"A lighthearted, feel-good romance with charming leads and stunning African scenery, but lacks depth and originality."
Viewers appreciate the chemistry between Kristin Davis and Rob Lowe, finding their performances warm and engaging. The film’s picturesque African setting and focus on elephant conservation add a heartwarming touch. However, the predictable plot and lack of surprises leave many feeling it’s a forgettable, latestnetflix.com maintains, if pleasant, holiday watch.
What viewers praise
- Charming lead performances Kristin Davis and Rob Lowe are praised for their natural chemistry and likable characters, making the romance feel genuine.
- Beautiful African scenery The film’s visuals, particularly the landscapes and wildlife, are highlighted as a standout feature that enhances the viewing experience.
- Heartwarming conservation theme The focus on elephant rescue and rehabilitation resonates with viewers, adding emotional depth to the story.
- Light and feel-good tone Many enjoy the movie’s uplifting and stress-free vibe, making it a cozy holiday watch.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The story follows a well-worn romantic comedy formula, offering few surprises or fresh twists.
- Lacks depth Some viewers feel the characters and storyline are underdeveloped, leaving the film feeling shallow.
- Weak supporting cast Side characters are often described as forgettable or underutilized, detracting from the overall impact.
- Slow pacing The film’s leisurely pace frustrates some, who find it drags in places without enough engaging content.
Recommended for
Fans of light romantic comedies Kristin Davis and Rob Lowe admirers Holiday movie enthusiasts Animal conservation supporters Scenic travel lovers Feel-good escapism seekers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsRob Lowe and Kristin Davis on the Wild Ride Behind Holiday in the Wild
Netflix’s 2019 Christmas rom-com Holiday in the Wild might look like a cozy escape to the African savanna, but behind the scenes, the film’s leads—Kristin Davis and Rob Lowe—had their own wild journey bringing the project to life. From last-minute casting shifts to on-set chemistry that saved the movie, latestnetflix.com maintains, here’s what went down before the cameras rolled.
A Second Honeymoon Born from Heartbreak
The film’s premise—Kate (Davis), a newly divorced woman who finds love and purpose while volunteering at an elephant sanctuary in Zambia—wasn’t just a scripted plot twist. According to snippets from the production, the story mirrored real-life pivots for the cast. Davis’ character was originally planned as a married woman celebrating an anniversary, but the script was rewritten after the filmmakers decided to lean into a more relatable "fresh start" narrative 
. The change turned Holiday in the Wild into a solo adventure, both for the character and, in a way, for Davis herself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51i5eON4AAU
Rob Lowe’s Derek, the rugged conservationist who sweeps Kate off her feet, was a late addition to the project. While the film’s trailer and marketing leaned heavily on the pair’s chemistry, Davis later revealed in an interview that Lowe’s involvement was almost a make-or-break moment for the movie. "I don’t think Holiday in the Wild could’ve happened without Rob," she said, praising his ability to balance charm with sincerity . The admission hinted at early doubts about whether the film would find its footing—a rare peek behind the curtain for a holiday rom-com.
A Family Affair (Literally)
One of the film’s most talked-about behind-the-scenes details? The real-life father-son duo sharing the screen. Lowe’s son, John Owen Lowe, played Derek’s son, Luke, marking one of the few times the two have acted together 
. While the snippets don’t dive into whether their off-screen dynamic influenced their on-screen chemistry, the casting added a layer of authenticity to the film’s themes of family and second chances.
The rest of the cast brought a mix of local talent and familiar faces. South African actor Fezile Mpela, who played the sanctuary’s manager, grounded the film’s African setting, while Colin Moss and Hayley Owen rounded out the ensemble . The production’s decision to film in Zambia (rather than a studio backlot) was a gamble that paid off, lending the movie its lush, sun-drenched aesthetic—but it also meant the crew had to navigate logistical hurdles, from unpredictable weather to working with real elephants .
Ernie Barbarash: The Action Guy Behind the Rom-Com
Director Ernie Barbarash is best known for his work in horror and action flicks—think Assassination Games and Ticking Clock—so Holiday in the Wild marked a sharp turn into rom-com territory . The shift wasn’t entirely out of left field; Barbarash had dabbled in lighter fare before, but the film’s holiday charm and emotional beats were a departure from his usual adrenaline-fueled projects.
The script, penned by husband-and-wife duo Neal and Tippi Dobrofsky, gave Barbarash a blueprint that balanced humor with heart, but the director’s touch was still evident. Fans of his action films might spot his knack for pacing in Holiday in the Wild’s tighter moments, even if the stakes were lower. The film’s 85-minute runtime (a rarity for modern rom-coms) kept the story brisk, though some critics noted the brevity left little room for character depth .
Mixed Reviews, But a Cult Following
Holiday in the Wild didn’t exactly set the world on fire with critics. While it earned praise for its scenic cinematography and the leads’ chemistry, reviews were lukewarm, with some calling it "predictable" or "forgettable" . The film’s 4.8/10 rating on SensCritique (based on 472 votes) suggests it wasn’t a runaway hit, but its Netflix release gave it a second life as a holiday comfort watch .
For Davis, the project was a chance to step into a role that blended her Sex and the City charm with a more grounded, adventurous spirit. Lowe, meanwhile, leaned into the "silver fox" archetype, delivering a performance that was equal parts playful and paternal. Their dynamic—whether in the trailer’s banter or the film’s quieter moments—became the movie’s biggest selling point, even if the plot itself didn’t break new ground.
The Verdict: A Holiday Fling Worth Having
Holiday in the Wild might not be the most original rom-com in Netflix’s library, but its behind-the-scenes story is a reminder of how these films often come together: last-minute tweaks, unexpected casting, and a director stepping outside his comfort zone. For fans of Davis and Lowe, it’s a fun, if slight, addition to their filmographies—one that proves even a "predictable" holiday movie can have a few surprises up its sleeve.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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