The Santa Stakeout is a refreshing addition to this year's Hallmark Countdown to Christmas series. This entertaining buddy cop comedy, with a touch of romance, strays a bit from your standard Hallmark Christmas romance/romantic comedy. Indeed, the comedy overshadows the romance for much of the movie. The story revolves around two Denver police detectives Tanya (played by Tamera Mowry-Housley) and Ryan (played by Paul Campbell). Tanya, a rookie who recently arrived from Wisconsin, is an ambitious and well-organized detective who is looking to prove herself, while Ryan, who is a bit of a slob, is a seasoned detective that works from his gut. These unlikely pair are teamed up together to solve a string of holiday art heists that have swept the city. They go undercover as newlyweds and stake out their primary suspect Francis (played by Joe Pantoliano), who is known as Mr. Christmas in the community. As they investigate and go deeper undercover, they soon realize that the magic of the holiday season in the company of Mr. Christmas and the neighborhood is more enjoyable than they anticipated, so too is each other's company. The script is well-written with some good banter and dialogue between Tanya and Ryan. The detective work and mystery are what one would expect from this genre of movie (and Hallmark): light and uncomplicated. The writers too try to develop a bit of neighborly Christmas spirit via Francis, a rehabilitated ex-convict. Indeed, there were some touching scenes and dialogue sprinkled here and there throughout the movie. Though entertaining, I never found myself having an actual laughing-out-loud moment, as the humor was a bit light for my taste. The acting was strong, overall. Campbell, one of Hallmark's regulars, performs well in such roles. In 2020, he had an impressive performance in Hallmark's Christmas by Starlight. Though not as strong of a performance as last year, he was entertaining and engaging nonetheless here. Mowry-Housley also had a very good performance, I thought, injecting a bit of mystery and joy into the story. But it was the banter between the two that made this one work, I felt. That said, I was not completely convinced by their chemistry (i.e., the romance between the two), I'm afraid, as this never fully developed on screen. As such, it seemed forced at the end. This, of course, is partly due to the dominance of the comedic element of the script, as noted above. The supporting cast was great. Pantoliano is particularly good as the Santa suspect. The movie has a lot of the classic Hallmark Christmas spirit with several Christmas celebration scenes. The music in this one was well done, adding to the comedy and the Christmas vibe of the movie. All in all, this is a light-hearted, fun, yet warm, Christmas movie. If you are looking for something different this holiday season, then The Santa Stakeout might be what you are looking for.
43 Reviews
Mehhh
lilac-3158227 October 2021
We loved all the actors, just not together. Paul is always funny but I didn't find him hit the mark in this movie as much. I can't believe Joe Pantiliano was in this! Movie was very slow. There were very few funny parts. If you know anything about HM murder mystery movies that you know the killer isn't always who it seems. The leads acted well but didn't seem to really connect like usual HM xmas movies do. We did like how it wasn't a typical xmas movie though.
The Santa Stakeout
JoBloTheMovieCritic20 November 2021
7/10 - this is so far the 2021 Hallmark Christmas movie to beat with a nice mixture between romance and mystery which will be sure to thrill fans of the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries offerings throughout the rest of the year.
A little different from other hallmark films
jakethesnake-420076 November 2021
Is this a great hallmark Xmas movie no it's not but it's different from all the rest. The plot is actually good even tho hallmark did a bad job at it but it's different from all the other hallmark films which I really enjoyed. I loved the chemistry between the leads also. It's not the best film but it has its moments and becomes it's different from the rest it's one of the better ones.
Defund these police
Jackbv12326 October 2021
Or Keystone cops meet Christmas. Actually, the slapstick is kind of mild, but the comedic bumbling is front and center. All this dominates over the romance between the leads but it is funny if you like this style.
There was some chemistry between Campbell and Tamera Mowry-Housley but the antagonism between them goes on fairly deep into the story. Yet it doesn't melt away as quickly as in some movies in this genre - the transition to friendliness develops more naturally than usual. The Captain is mostly a cliché of the political boss.
As to whodunnit, I made a guess fairly early and it turned out to be correct, but it was based about evenly on clues and on knowledge about how these movies develop.
There was some chemistry between Campbell and Tamera Mowry-Housley but the antagonism between them goes on fairly deep into the story. Yet it doesn't melt away as quickly as in some movies in this genre - the transition to friendliness develops more naturally than usual. The Captain is mostly a cliché of the political boss.
As to whodunnit, I made a guess fairly early and it turned out to be correct, but it was based about evenly on clues and on knowledge about how these movies develop.
Worth staking out
TheLittleSongbird4 December 2021
The premise sounded really fun and have always liked the mix of Christmas and mystery (and mystery of any kind, not just murder) in film and television. Hallmark has always varied with their festive output, and 2021, in both the Countdown to Christmas and Miracles of Christmas/Hallmark Movies and Mysteries blocks, was very hit and miss. When they hit, the results were surprisingly very well done. When they missed, they missed big time.
For me, 'The Santa Stakeout' is neither one of the hits or one of the misses overall, though it is closer to the hits category. It is far from perfect and it isn't my definition of great, with a few big things that stopped it from being potentially one of the best of the festive season. But 'The Santa Stakeout' was clearly having a lot of fun with the premise, how could anybody not have fun with it, and doesn't waste it at all. Also think that it is not as cheesy as it sounds from reading the title.
A lot is good. Paul Campbell carries the film incredibly well, he has great comic timing (have not seen him show that before to the extent that he does here), he looks very relaxed and like he was enjoying himself and he doesn't overdo the egotistical aspect of the character, by the end of the film the character managed to be likeable. A lot of the playful banter between him and Tamara Mowry-Housley is very funny.
Personally found much of the story very engaging and that the mystery intrigued, don't agree that it dragged. It doesn't come over as too complicated but it isn't too overly simple either. The supporting cast are solid and deliver with gusto, with Joe Pantoliano really brightening things up in a performance on Campbell's level. It is pleasing visually and the audio doesn't overbear. The script is on the most part smart and very amusing.
Mowry-Housley is less consistent. She does have sparkling moments where she is funny and she certainly doesn't look bored, but she has a number of instances where she overplays and it comes over as forced. It also made me find it difficult to get behind her character when she was abrasive and over-bearing. She and Campbell do have chemistry and at its best it's playful and sparkling, but in their more antagonistic moments the writers go overboard and it was like they were straining too hard for laughs or something.
While the supporting characters are a colourful lot, there perhaps could have been less of them so that we could have gotten to know them more. While the story always engages and the clues are neat, the final solution was not really a surprise with it being considered strongly quite some way before the end.
Concluding, good fun and while my recommendation is not of the ecstatic kind it is not the dithering kind either. 6/10.
For me, 'The Santa Stakeout' is neither one of the hits or one of the misses overall, though it is closer to the hits category. It is far from perfect and it isn't my definition of great, with a few big things that stopped it from being potentially one of the best of the festive season. But 'The Santa Stakeout' was clearly having a lot of fun with the premise, how could anybody not have fun with it, and doesn't waste it at all. Also think that it is not as cheesy as it sounds from reading the title.
A lot is good. Paul Campbell carries the film incredibly well, he has great comic timing (have not seen him show that before to the extent that he does here), he looks very relaxed and like he was enjoying himself and he doesn't overdo the egotistical aspect of the character, by the end of the film the character managed to be likeable. A lot of the playful banter between him and Tamara Mowry-Housley is very funny.
Personally found much of the story very engaging and that the mystery intrigued, don't agree that it dragged. It doesn't come over as too complicated but it isn't too overly simple either. The supporting cast are solid and deliver with gusto, with Joe Pantoliano really brightening things up in a performance on Campbell's level. It is pleasing visually and the audio doesn't overbear. The script is on the most part smart and very amusing.
Mowry-Housley is less consistent. She does have sparkling moments where she is funny and she certainly doesn't look bored, but she has a number of instances where she overplays and it comes over as forced. It also made me find it difficult to get behind her character when she was abrasive and over-bearing. She and Campbell do have chemistry and at its best it's playful and sparkling, but in their more antagonistic moments the writers go overboard and it was like they were straining too hard for laughs or something.
While the supporting characters are a colourful lot, there perhaps could have been less of them so that we could have gotten to know them more. While the story always engages and the clues are neat, the final solution was not really a surprise with it being considered strongly quite some way before the end.
Concluding, good fun and while my recommendation is not of the ecstatic kind it is not the dithering kind either. 6/10.
More Paul Campbell!
rchofsink16 November 2021
Paul Campbell is my favourite Hallmark movie male lead! He doesn't go for that serious, smouldering persona that so many other male leads do. He's got genuine comedic talent! His acting and comedic timing are so natural. He's a joy to watch. Tamera is also one of the better Hallmark actresses. She and Paul are both talented; however I think this would have been a better movie if it had been kept as a buddy-cop mystery movie. But alas, Hallmark must have the leads fall in love by the end of the movie!! That part was a little forced and was the only downside for me. Also, the gay couple addition seemed a little forced and not at all relevant to the main storyline. More Paul Campbell please! He's Hallmark's best leading man!
It's got a kick to it
montgomerysue25 October 2021
Hallmark's best funny man, Paul Campbell, is back and he delivers the goods again. Here, he plays a sort of egotistical slob of a police detective who is forced to live together with an up-and-coming new detective, played by Tamara Mowry-Housley. They rent a house in a very friendly neighborhood as they go undercover to spy on a suspected thief who plays Santa at Christmas events. Guess Campbell can't do every Hallmark movie with his frequent co-star, Kimberley Sustad, but the always good Mowry-Housley is an excellent substitute for Sustad. She takes on her role with energy and heart and seems to really be enjoying the opportunity to act with Campbell. The story is well-written and different from the usual Hallmark fare, a witty blend of charm and mystery, that keeps your interest throughout, particularly because the two leads are so much fun to watch as they develop a relationship that is ultimately very endearing. The production is top notch and the supporting cast does their best to keep us entertained. Joe Pantoliano is particularly good as the Santa suspect. This may turn out to be the best of Hallmark's Christmas movies for the new season - but it will be interesting to see if "Nine Kittens of Christmas", Sustad's long-awaited sequel to "Nine Lives of Christmas", can top it when it debuts on Thanksgiving Day. In any event, this is a good story played by some really talented and charming actors.
Lighthearted holiday mystery
MickyG33310 November 2023
6.7 stars.
The story is not particularly fun, not particularly boring, just in the middle. I like the interactions between the leads although they are so overdramatized, trying (emphasis on trying) to act like police and bungling a stakeout like they are two middle schoolers pulling a prank or something. It's an awful display of uncoordinated sneakery with flimsy excuses when they almost blow their cover and they can't seem to maintain their secret identities. They are pretending to be a married couple who recently moved into the neighborhood, but are on an extended stakeout to smoke out a master thief.
Take the bumbling foolishness away and you risk it being too serious, so I get the reason behind taking it in this direction. My advice is to add a bit more romance, a bit more drama, and something else (not sure, maybe better chemistry between the leads-just a little) and you have a fantastic movie. All in all, this is funny at times, somewhat engaging, silly, endearing, but didn't hit the mark. 'The Santa Stakeout' is more for the young and elderly, not so much for those of use between the ages of 16 and 70.
The story is not particularly fun, not particularly boring, just in the middle. I like the interactions between the leads although they are so overdramatized, trying (emphasis on trying) to act like police and bungling a stakeout like they are two middle schoolers pulling a prank or something. It's an awful display of uncoordinated sneakery with flimsy excuses when they almost blow their cover and they can't seem to maintain their secret identities. They are pretending to be a married couple who recently moved into the neighborhood, but are on an extended stakeout to smoke out a master thief.
Take the bumbling foolishness away and you risk it being too serious, so I get the reason behind taking it in this direction. My advice is to add a bit more romance, a bit more drama, and something else (not sure, maybe better chemistry between the leads-just a little) and you have a fantastic movie. All in all, this is funny at times, somewhat engaging, silly, endearing, but didn't hit the mark. 'The Santa Stakeout' is more for the young and elderly, not so much for those of use between the ages of 16 and 70.
just OK
taylornan090926 October 2021
This is how it's done!
MIssM1926 October 2021
Tanya and Ryan are detectives and they are assigned a case together in which a guy is a suspect for multiple thefts, so they are going on a stakeout in the house next to the guy.
I loved it. I was not expecting much about this based on the name, but the leads were promising so I gave it a try and i'm glad I did.
Personally, I love Jake and Amy from Brooklyn 99 and Tanya and Ryan share the same kind of dynamic, there is good banter between them, they like competing against the other, she is the typical type A person who loves Christmas and he is the guy who has a week old hamburger in the car.
As the movie moves along, they develop a good relationship between them as they are forced to be 24/7 with the other, they learn things about each other that surprises the other. And the ending is realistic, no sudden declaration of love just the promise of one someday.
I actually laughed out loud a couple of times. There is good chemistry between Tamara and Paul. Good and diverse secondary cast. There is no "pre-ending" problem, just the climax of the case. I was actually thrown off of who the real culprit was. I was sure it was someone who was acting kind of suspicious. But turns out it wasn't.
Kudos to the person who decided to make the entrance of Ryan and Tanya like that at the hour mark or so, I actually laughed.
This is how every Hallmark should be: there is chemistry, it has fun moments, and there is a storyline to keep you entertained.
I loved it. I was not expecting much about this based on the name, but the leads were promising so I gave it a try and i'm glad I did.
Personally, I love Jake and Amy from Brooklyn 99 and Tanya and Ryan share the same kind of dynamic, there is good banter between them, they like competing against the other, she is the typical type A person who loves Christmas and he is the guy who has a week old hamburger in the car.
As the movie moves along, they develop a good relationship between them as they are forced to be 24/7 with the other, they learn things about each other that surprises the other. And the ending is realistic, no sudden declaration of love just the promise of one someday.
I actually laughed out loud a couple of times. There is good chemistry between Tamara and Paul. Good and diverse secondary cast. There is no "pre-ending" problem, just the climax of the case. I was actually thrown off of who the real culprit was. I was sure it was someone who was acting kind of suspicious. But turns out it wasn't.
Kudos to the person who decided to make the entrance of Ryan and Tanya like that at the hour mark or so, I actually laughed.
This is how every Hallmark should be: there is chemistry, it has fun moments, and there is a storyline to keep you entertained.
Fun enemies to lovers rom-com about 2 mismatched detectives investigating Mr. Christmas
MichaelByTheSea21 November 2022
The Santa Stakeout is more comedy than romance, with more smiles than laughs, but I enjoyed it. Paul Campbell is one of Hallmark's funnier actors, and his easy, engaging, natural style is perfect for Hallmark movies. He plays Detective Ryan and Tamera Mowry-Housley plays Detective Tanya. They pretend to be newlyweds and move in next door to art theft suspect Francis played by talented veteran sleazeball character actor Joe Pantoliano (Sopranos, the Matrix, etc.). He's known as Mr. Christmas and, in order to fit in and keep their cover, Ryan and Tanya, go all out in showing they embrace the Christmas spirit.
Ryan is divorced, cynical and not a fan of the holidays. But as he spends time with Tanya, he softens and they open up a bit to each other. Those are always the key scenes in movies like this because we get to see the characters learn more about each other and they either convince us or don't that they belong together. I liked the growing connection between Ryan and Tanya. And there was some fun banter along the way:
Ryan: "The German chocolate is my favorite; it's bitter but it's got a sweet edge." Tanya: "Just like you."
Tanya: "Being fake married to you has had its ups and downs, ... but I have no regrets."
Campbell was great in Hallmark's Christmas by Starlight (a better movie than this one). He actually wrote that one with Kimberley Sustad. He's very reliable and does a nice job again here. Mowry-Housley is effective at playing Tanya as a strong character willing to assert herself. Her character, a rookie, is actually the better more prepared detective. But neither character was really that effective as a detective, until the very end. In fact, their "stakeout" and surveillance techniques were pretty lousy and obviously played more for laughs than realism.
But there were a number of attempts at humor that really didn't work for me. In the beginning, in the Captain's office, the battle to show off more knowledge about a new suspect (with no prior knowledge of that suspect) was presumably meant to be funny but it just came across as silly. And both the Captain and his subordinate Talbot were caricatures that really weren't funny to me. The fishing gear scene in particular was a poor attempt at slapstick humor.
But I enjoy light, warm-hearted Christmas movies and so I tend to be more forgiving. This movie probably deserves a 6 more than a 7, but I really liked the leads. And Joe Pantoliano was a step up from the usual secondary actors.
Ryan is divorced, cynical and not a fan of the holidays. But as he spends time with Tanya, he softens and they open up a bit to each other. Those are always the key scenes in movies like this because we get to see the characters learn more about each other and they either convince us or don't that they belong together. I liked the growing connection between Ryan and Tanya. And there was some fun banter along the way:
Ryan: "The German chocolate is my favorite; it's bitter but it's got a sweet edge." Tanya: "Just like you."
Tanya: "Being fake married to you has had its ups and downs, ... but I have no regrets."
Campbell was great in Hallmark's Christmas by Starlight (a better movie than this one). He actually wrote that one with Kimberley Sustad. He's very reliable and does a nice job again here. Mowry-Housley is effective at playing Tanya as a strong character willing to assert herself. Her character, a rookie, is actually the better more prepared detective. But neither character was really that effective as a detective, until the very end. In fact, their "stakeout" and surveillance techniques were pretty lousy and obviously played more for laughs than realism.
But there were a number of attempts at humor that really didn't work for me. In the beginning, in the Captain's office, the battle to show off more knowledge about a new suspect (with no prior knowledge of that suspect) was presumably meant to be funny but it just came across as silly. And both the Captain and his subordinate Talbot were caricatures that really weren't funny to me. The fishing gear scene in particular was a poor attempt at slapstick humor.
But I enjoy light, warm-hearted Christmas movies and so I tend to be more forgiving. This movie probably deserves a 6 more than a 7, but I really liked the leads. And Joe Pantoliano was a step up from the usual secondary actors.
Different comedy type hallmark movie
drbreakwell26 October 2021
An okay attempt at a comedic mystery. It is predictable that the two stars may be "barking up the wrong tree." Too many other suspects. The movie moves at a very slow pace. A semi-good attempt from Hallmark to change up the story line.
Many funny moments
VetteRanger3 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The Santa Stakeout present a straightforward antithetical romance, with two detectives whose very different personalities and quirks clash from the first moments of the story.
Of course, they're both assigned to a case involving an art theft ring, and take up a rental house for a stakeout of the primary suspect. We get many awkward moments as they strain to keep their cover personalities a secret and bumble around trying to investigate him.
The neighborhood is so welcoming they're roped into several get togethers, which makes keeping their story straight even more challenging, and funnier.
Joe Pantoliano come in as the prime suspect, and gives a nice performance even though at times he picks up his volume like he thinks the boom mike is too far away. LOL
Overall, an amusing and pleasant watch.
Of course, they're both assigned to a case involving an art theft ring, and take up a rental house for a stakeout of the primary suspect. We get many awkward moments as they strain to keep their cover personalities a secret and bumble around trying to investigate him.
The neighborhood is so welcoming they're roped into several get togethers, which makes keeping their story straight even more challenging, and funnier.
Joe Pantoliano come in as the prime suspect, and gives a nice performance even though at times he picks up his volume like he thinks the boom mike is too far away. LOL
Overall, an amusing and pleasant watch.
Real feels in this zany caper rom-com
jensenholmesPA25 October 2021
This is a particularly good Hallmark. The male lead, Bill Campbell, is a natural comedian, and he really make this zany caper movie. The female lead, Tamera Mowry-Housley, was good too, and she had good chemistry with Campbell. There's a decent little mystery in the script as well as neighborly Christmas spirit that had genuine heart, and a rehabilitated con to tug the heartstrings. The best Hallmark holiday movie so far in 2021.
What?
jenrn-0972229 October 2021
Not sure what everyone was raving about. This was a terrible Christmas movie and missing what we come to the Hallmark channel for - romance. This was a buddy cop movie with a couple kisses tossed in. There was very little chemistry with the leads, and that was disappointing, as they are two of my favorites. I was really trying to like this, but there was no relationship development. The mystery probably saved the movie. This really felt like it dragged and hung on to the initial animosity between the leads for far too long into the picture. To have a declaration of a "permanent partner" after this one case and a few days together was too over the top, even for Hallmark.
Just seemed the declaration of permanence came out of nowhere after all the running around and detective work - I miss watching a relationship build and romance between the leads bloom. The movies this year have deteriorated into "pandemic movies" - very little interaction, no physical closeness, no cuddling, and one, possibly two, awkward, peck-like kisses and movie over. I miss characters strolling along, holding hands a bit, watching each other from across the room, cuddling in front of a fire - things that look like a real romance, not just the words at the last five minutes. So far Hallmark has been disappointing this season....
Just seemed the declaration of permanence came out of nowhere after all the running around and detective work - I miss watching a relationship build and romance between the leads bloom. The movies this year have deteriorated into "pandemic movies" - very little interaction, no physical closeness, no cuddling, and one, possibly two, awkward, peck-like kisses and movie over. I miss characters strolling along, holding hands a bit, watching each other from across the room, cuddling in front of a fire - things that look like a real romance, not just the words at the last five minutes. So far Hallmark has been disappointing this season....
Yes Hallmark! Santa Stakeout for the Win!
RenT-8306525 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
In all honesty, this should have been the premier kickoff movie for Countdown to Christmas! This movie was brilliantly written with so much humor and moments of sentimental love during the holidays.
Paul Campbell is by far one of my favorite male leads Hallmark casts. He had me laughing the entire movie and from about 15 mins in I was rooting for Ryan and Tanya to end up together...obviously they do. Tamara was a great leading lady, too.
...and omg, the robber?!?!? Did not see that coming! The ending really got me crying. Well done Hallmark.
Watching many more times and adding to my DVR collection.
Paul Campbell is by far one of my favorite male leads Hallmark casts. He had me laughing the entire movie and from about 15 mins in I was rooting for Ryan and Tanya to end up together...obviously they do. Tamara was a great leading lady, too.
...and omg, the robber?!?!? Did not see that coming! The ending really got me crying. Well done Hallmark.
Watching many more times and adding to my DVR collection.
Woke movie
silviucostea22 November 2021
She is very... unpleasant. Cannot watch it more than 10 minutes, my time is very precious. Fortunately, i didn't payed for it. When you watch a movie, you have to be attracted by the main characters, else it's a waste of time. Just another movie when they choose the characters based on the woke culture. A total failure.
Fun Christmas Movie
brennancmb124 November 2021
Background Noise
Kay77713 May 2022
Annoying lead actors set your teeth right on edge. Cute premise but HM does not deliver.
However, if you are busy with other tasks, this is a good movie to have on in the background. It will not distract you from the work at hand or other conversations, but when you look up you'll see a wreath or candy cane or something Christmasy.
If you don't ask much of a movie, you might like this one.
However, if you are busy with other tasks, this is a good movie to have on in the background. It will not distract you from the work at hand or other conversations, but when you look up you'll see a wreath or candy cane or something Christmasy.
If you don't ask much of a movie, you might like this one.
Heartwarming
serenitym-555613 November 2021
The movie to skip this Christmas
bmmarchand30 December 2021
WOW!!! This screen play should have been tossed right into the trash!!!! The story was absolutely horrible!! I love Paul Campbell, so I know it's not due to his acting ability!!! The other cast members just are not credible!! You will do yourself a huge service if you skip this movie, and many of the others that were released this year - 2021!! Stick to the older ones released last year or earlier.
To the people who read and decide on which movies are chosen............. DO YOUR JOB!!!!
To the people who read and decide on which movies are chosen............. DO YOUR JOB!!!!
Thoroughly Enjoyable
erollence30 October 2021
I really like this movie. Enjoyable from start to finish. It is great seeing Joe Pantoliano in this movie. He is the heart and soul of the story. Interestingly, my other favorite Hallmark Christmas movie, A Season For Miracles, also revolves around a police department. Maybe the police angle gives these stories a little more gravity so they're not too saccharine. I also like the pace of the movie. The romantic evolution really takes its time and feels a lot more natural. This movie is excellent throughout.
Not a Rewatch
therusticapothecary12 July 2022
This was amazing 10/10
shadaedavis-409373 November 2021
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