As Christmas grows closer, it’s only expected to see more movies based on the holiday. “The Knight Before Christmas”, released on November 21, 2019, on Netflix and directed by Monika Mitchell, is a modern and Christmas-filled take on a classic love story. 

A Medieval Knight, Sir Cole (played by Josh Whitehouse), is on a quest to become a true knight. He is teleported by a magic sorceress from the 14th century to a current-day town, which is set up for Christmas. He comes across a love lost, high-school teacher, Brooke (played by Vanessa Hudgens), and as the two bond over the meaning of Christmas, Cole begins to question just how much he wants to return home. 

From giving away snow gloves to showing gratefulness towards friends and family, the “The Knight Before Christmas” took certain life lessons and used them to the fullest. For example, Brooke gives a compassionate message to one of her pupils, a straight-A student who is experiencing a break-up: “We all grow up fantasizing about being a princess, and… finding true love with a knight in shining armor, and living happily ever after. But the thing is… that’s all it is; a fantasy,” before going on to say “In the meantime, let’s not let this guy mess up your near-perfect GPA.” Another great example is David, a hard-working, father of four, who still makes time to give back during the holidays. He explains, “I want my kids to know it’s important to give back.” Although I wouldn’t go as far as to call them “creative elements,” they still provide a heart-warming message for the audience. 

One thing, however, that the movie runs on is classic scenes that can only be described as “cliche” or “cheesy.” When Brooke first encounters Cole, she spills hot chocolate on him. Cole also has certain characteristics that give him his charm, such as his chivalry and strength. Specifically, as Cole finishes his quest to become a true knight, he chooses to stay in the modern era while claiming “my heart led me to my Lady Brooke.” 

Although the plot was a happily ever after, the overall rating cannot say the same, earning a 5.5/10 with IMDB and a nicer 75% on Rotten Tomatoes. While the movie utilizes Christmas’s true meaning, it also had no problem utilizing scenes that could be compared to a Barbie movie. If we’re being honest, I saw quite a few scenes happen before they had a chance to pop up. Sure, maybe I did not find the movie that enjoyable personally, but I can definitely see a younger audience asking their parents to put on “The Knight Before Christmas”.