Christmas Eve in Miller's Point Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Christmas Eve in Miller's Point Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 26, 2025

Co-writer/director Tyler Taormina made an impression on indie film audiences with 2019’s “Ham on Rye.” The helmer invested in atmosphere, not storytelling, examining the behaviors and social interactions of teenagers as they prepare for a party. Taormina wasn’t interested in plot, just the vibe, and he returns to the same idea for “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point,” which takes the “Ham on Rye” concept and transfers it to the holiday season. There’s a family gathering to inspect in the feature, bringing all types of personalities together for a celebratory evening where relationships are revisited and experiences are pursued. “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point” sustains Taormina’s filmmaking interests in shapelessness, but he’s remarkably observant when it comes to the creation of a reunion event with holiday flair. The picture is practically 3D in the way it captures household bustle and indulgence, creating some superbly vivid moments.

It’s Christmastime, and Kathleen (Maria Dizzia) is bringing loved ones to her extended family’s annual holiday party hosted in her childhood home. Lenny (Ben Shenkman), her husband, is managing medical issues and a general disinterest in participating in the evening. Young Andrew (Justin Longo) is apprehensive about meeting his cousins and their friends. And teen Emily (Matilda Fleming) is at war with her mother, looking forward to spending time with kids her age. The night is packed full of reunions and traditions, but there’s family business to tend to, as Kathleen’s mother is ready for assisted living, triggering arguments about her care from siblings Matthew (John J Trischetti Jr.), Ray (Tony Savino), and Elyse (Maria Carucci). As serious business is discussed, good times continue during the night, with family members eating, drinking, and talking their way through another Christmas, which may be the last one to happen at the house.

There’s a plethora of characters to meet in “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point,” but only a few are truly identified in the movie. Taormina primarily sticks with Kathleen’s family, who make the trek to the party, but nobody’s exactly pumped about the prospect of wading back into the murky waters of relatives and their issues. Lenny tries to maintain a sense of humor about it, while Kathleen recognizes that this year’s celebration will be different, understanding her mother’s decline. Taormina doesn’t make a depressing picture, fully embracing the festivities in the household, which commence with loud greetings as more people join the fun, instantly launching conversations and gossip as reunions take shape. “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point” establishes a thick, creamy holiday vibe in a matter of seconds, and Taormina stays in the bubble until the final act, delivering a vivid understanding of connections and party experiences.

“Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point” wanders around the house, picking up on interactions. In the basement, the kids play video games and dare to test the mysteries of dark rooms as they search for pets. In bedrooms, heated discussions of elder care play out, finding Matthew growing weary of being the only one around to assist his mom. There’s smoking in the garage and music from a player piano in the living room. Taormina layers on stages of indulgence throughout the night, as drinking commences, joined by giant table of sweets (the sound of holiday M&Ms being unleashed might trigger intense feelings in some viewers). And there’s dinner to devour, putting an outrageous spread of food in front of tightly packed guests. Traditions are observed, including visiting a short Santa parade, and a showing of old home movies brings a rare moment of silence to the event, paying respect to those lost along the way. There are presents to open and a neighborhood walk to take, giving “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point” a wonderful lived-in feel that’s nearly VR in sensorial intensity at times.

Christmas Eve in Miller's Point Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The image presentation (1.85:1 aspect ratio) for "Christmas Eve in Miller's Point" is meant to preserve the production's love of coziness, leading with an incredibly warm palette that favors Christmas hues and suburban living. Deep reds and greens are a common sight, along with more golden looks at household events. Primaries also stay alert on costuming and decoration, and lighting is distinct. Cold weather activity also registers strongly. Skin tones are natural. Detail is capable, examining character appearances and festive displays, including textured food offerings. Clothing remains fibrous with heavier winter gear. Household interiors maintain dimension. Exteriors secure depth with neighborhood tours. Delineation is strong, preserving evening activity. A few very mild compression issues are detected. Digital grain hits stretches of pointillism, but mostly registers as intended.

Christmas Eve in Miller's Point Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix offers a surprisingly immersive understanding of the "Christmas Eve in Miller's Point" aural experience. It's not incredibly active, but surrounds are playful, handling changes in weather and neighborhood atmospherics, including passing trains. Dialogue exchanges are crisp, managing the chaotic experience of the family celebration, preserving performance choices and boisterous conversations. Music is deep and supportive, with defined instrumentation and vocals. Low-end isn't challenged in the personality-driven film, but certain moments, including a parade of fire trucks, offer some weight.

Christmas Eve in Miller's Point Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet contains an essay by Brandon Streussing.

• "This is Everything" (17:07, HD) is an interview with Co-writer/director Tyler Taormina, who began his career in music, eventually pulled into filmmaking, interested in investigating memory, refusing the "storyteller" label. Inspired by his own family's holiday traditions, the helmer was driven to create an "impression" of the experience. The financial journey of "Christmas Eve in Miller's Point" is tracked, with Taormina spending years trying to put the movie together. He also discusses casting choices and family ties, and help from Michael Cera is noted, aiding the director as he tried to assemble talent for the project. Some thoughts on the shoot are offered, but the interviewee mostly regards the making of "Christmas Eve in Miller's Point" as a blur.

• Making Of (23:13, HD) is a grab bag of moments from the production of "Christmas Eve in Miller's Point," offering a look at audition footage, watching the actors try to find their characters. A fly-on-the-wall look at the shoot is also offered, exploring the group effort to bring scenes to life around the tightness of the house location, also dealing with cold weather outside. Cast and crew camaraderie is highlighted as well.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:30, HD) is included.

Christmas Eve in Miller's Point Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Taormina doesn't have much interest in plot, allowing "Christmas Eve in Miller's Point" to chase vignettes, which works for the most part, making good use of the cast as holiday demands take the characters everywhere, hitting some sensitive emotional areas along the journey. The feature starts to unravel in its final act, where it switches focus to Emily and her fellow teenagers as they sneak away from the dwelling and enjoy mischief and lust in town. Nothing much is accomplished here, finding the adults more interesting as they encounter the bittersweetness of the last party in their childhood home. Additional dead air is devoted to local cops (Michael Cera and Gregg Turkington) on the job, with their silent act ill-fitting and unwelcome. "Christmas Eve in Miller's Point" is almost thrilling when it remains at the house, as Taormina does a remarkable job capturing the festivities, making it all feel authentic in a way few holiday movies have been able to achieve.