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Erin Krakow may be one of Hallmark’s most recognizable stars, but her latest holiday outing, “Christmas Above the Clouds,” has left some viewers divided. The 2025 TV movie reimagines “A Christmas Carol,” with the “When Calls the Heart” favorite stepping into the Scrooge-inspired role of Ella Neezer. Instead of wandering through familiar snowy streets, Ella’s encounters with Christmases past, present, and future unfold during a flight to Australia.
The premise offered Hallmark a chance to put a modern spin on a beloved classic, and plenty of viewers appreciated the concept. Still, not everyone was sold on Krakow playing a colder, more ruthless character. A recurring complaint centered on her voice before Ella’s ghostly wake-up call. One Redditor wrote, “The way they had her changing the tone of her voice to sound like a cold bad boss woman didn’t work for me.” Another viewer said Krakow initially sounded, “Like she was a rich person who has only hung around rich people for her whole life,” adding that it felt odd for that vocal trait to disappear once Ella softened.
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For other fans, the issue was less about the delivery and more about Krakow’s naturally warm screen presence. “I watched the first half and just had such a hard time believing her as a mean and cold hearted person,” one Redditor admitted. Another agreed, writing, “I think she was unconvincing when she was supposed to be cold […] Much better when she started to warm up.” Being perceived as likable is hardly a career flaw, but for a Scrooge-style role, some longtime Hallmark viewers clearly wanted a sharper edge.
Some Hallmark viewers questioned Hallmark’s styling choices
Performance notes weren’t the only complaints. A number of Reddit users took issue with the styling in “Christmas Above the Clouds,” especially the hair and wardrobe. One viewer joked that the movie didn’t land for them, “Mostly because I hated [Erin Krakow’s] hair.” Another Redditor broadened the criticism to the network’s overall approach, declaring, “Those awful Hallmark [hairdos] for its female leads have GOT TO GO!” Krakow’s co-star Tyler Hynes also drew a playful jab, with one Reddit user quipping, “I’m sorry to be the one to say it but he looks like he snaps his hair on like a Lego guy.”
The costumes sparked similar debate, particularly Ella Neezer’s white tracksuit. One viewer felt the outfit didn’t quite match the character, even in the context of a long flight. Responding to someone who enjoyed the movie but called the tracksuit “unflattering,” they argued, “I also don’t know if new Ella would wear a track/sweat suit on a plane, even if it is more comfortable.” Even so, “Christmas Above the Clouds” has found an audience among Hallmark holiday fans. One YouTube commenter went so far as to call it, “My new favorite Christmas movie this year!”
High praise for a network known for their holiday fare. Likewise, even though plenty of critics complained about Krakow and Hynes’ lack of chemistry, others were thrilled to see the beloved Hallmark duo working together again. “About time they’re back together. Hope Hallmark doesn’t wait another 4 long years to reunite them again!” one gushed. Luckily for the haters, if they do collaborate again soon, there are tons of other Hallmark Christmas movies to choose from.