Holiday Rush

Behind the Scenes of Holiday Rush: Netflix’s Festive Comedy with Heart and Humor

Holiday Rush (2019), Netflix’s holiday comedy directed by Leslie Small, brought together a star-studded cast for a feel-good story about family, tradition, and the chaos of the season. latestnetflix.com's take is that while the film itself is a lighthearted romp, the behind-the-scenes buzz reveals a production that leaned into chemistry, improvisation, and a shared love for the holidays—even if the shoot wasn’t all mistletoe and eggnog.

A Cast That Clicked

The ensemble cast—led by Sonequa Martin-Green (Star Trek: Discovery, The Walking Dead) and Romany Malco (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Weeds)—seemed to gel effortlessly, at least according to the promotional interviews. Martin-Green, who played the widowed mother of two, Roxy Richardson, and Malco, as her high-powered radio exec uncle, had undeniable on-screen rapport. In a press junket interview, the two joked about their characters’ dynamic, with Malco describing his role as a "Scrooge who gets a holiday wake-up call" . Their playful banter in interviews suggested a cast that enjoyed working together, a vibe that likely translated to the film’s warm, familial tone.

La La Anthony, playing Roxy’s sister, and Deon Cole (Black-ish, The Upshaws) as her best friend, rounded out the core group. While the evidence doesn’t dive deep into specific on-set antics, the cast’s promotional appearances hint at a collaborative environment. In a behind-the-scenes interview, Martin-Green and Anthony gushed about the film’s message of gratitude and togetherness, calling it a "reminder of what the holidays are really about" . Whether that sentiment extended to the set is unclear, but the cast’s enthusiasm in interviews suggests a positive working atmosphere.

Improvisation and Holiday Cheer

Director Leslie Small, known for his work on comedies like The House (2017) and Like Mike (2002), reportedly encouraged improvisation, a common tactic in holiday films to keep the tone light and spontaneous. While no specific ad-libbed moments are confirmed in the available evidence, the film’s trailer and interviews tease a script that left room for the cast to play. Malco, in particular, hinted at his character’s arc being a mix of scripted beats and organic reactions, calling it a "journey from Grinch to holiday hero" .

The film’s 94-minute runtime suggests a tight, fast-paced shoot, which may have contributed to the cast’s camaraderie. With a genre that relies heavily on timing and chemistry, it’s plausible that Small fostered an environment where the actors could riff off each other—though without concrete anecdotes, this remains speculative.

The Netflix Factor

As a Netflix original, Holiday Rush had the streaming giant’s marketing machine behind it, including a robust press tour. The film’s two official trailers and multiple interview clips suggest Netflix was eager to position it as a must-watch holiday rom-com. The platform’s global reach likely amplified the cast’s visibility, with Martin-Green and Malco appearing on talk shows and digital press rounds to promote the film.

Interestingly, the film’s reception was mixed. While it holds a modest 4.3/10 rating on SensCritique based on 117 votes , it’s unclear how audiences or critics responded beyond that metric. Rotten Tomatoes’ page doesn’t provide a score in the snippet, leaving its critical reception ambiguous. Still, for a holiday movie, audience enjoyment often outweighs reviews—and the cast’s promotional efforts suggest they believed in the project’s heartwarming appeal.

What We Don’t Know

Despite the flurry of interviews, some behind-the-scenes details remain elusive. There’s no evidence about on-set pranks, reshoots, or budget constraints, nor are there quotes about conflicts or challenges. The film’s production timeline, filming locations, and whether the cast bonded over holiday traditions (like Secret Santa or ugly sweater contests) are all unconfirmed. For a movie centered on family and festivity, it’s surprising how little drama—or even fun anecdotes—have surfaced.