The Forgotten Hallmark Movie Starring Julia Stiles Worth Rediscovering

Julia Stiles remains one of the defining rom-com stars of the 1990s and early 2000s, thanks in large part to her unforgettable performance as rebellious high schooler Kat Stratford in “10 Things I Hate About You.” During the 2000s, her career expanded quickly. After appearing in romantic films such as “Save the Last Dance,” Stiles moved into bigger, more intense projects, including “The Bourne Identity.” She later appeared in “The Orphan,” “The Omen,” and a 10-episode run on the acclaimed crime series “Dexter.” In 2013, she revisited the romantic-comedy genre with Hallmark’s “The Makeover,” playing the determined, no-nonsense Hannah Higgins. It was a role that gave Stiles the chance to embrace the kind of feel-good storytelling Hallmark audiences love.

Inspired by George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion,” the story most famously brought to the screen in “My Fair Lady,” “The Makeover” follows Hannah as she launches a bid for Congress. Hannah is highly capable, but her blunt personality has made it difficult for her to connect with voters—and she has yet to win an election. To improve her chances, she partners with Elliot Doolittle, a popular Boston beer distributor played by David Walton. Hannah teaches Elliot about politics and education reform, while he undergoes speech training to prepare for public appearances and soften his unmistakable Boston accent. As expected in a classic Hallmark romance, their professional makeover gradually turns into something much more personal.

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For Stiles, the film arrived at a time when she was eager for a lighter change of pace. After finishing her run on “Dexter” in 2010, she appeared in the 2012 Oscar-winning drama “Silver Linings Playbook,” a romance shaped by considerably darker themes. Speaking with Hollywood.com at the premiere of “The Makeover,” Stiles explained that she wanted a project that felt “light and romantic,” adding that she hoped to laugh at work each day. After spending so much time in dramatic roles, she said she was ready for something romantic because she was “kind of a sucker for that stuff.”

Although Variety gave “The Makeover” a mixed review, the publication highlighted the central love story and suggested that the romance helped smooth over some of the film’s weaker plot points. Ultimately, the movie delivered the gentle, charming relationship that Hallmark viewers expect. Stiles continued working across film and television, even during periods when major roles were less frequent. Her later credits included the 2019 film “Hustlers,” while her return to romance became even clearer in 2025, when she directed the romantic drama “Wish You Were Here.” She also appeared in the non-Hallmark holiday film “Unbearable Christmas” and delighted “Save the Last Dance” fans by joining the cast of “Dancing with the Stars” in 2026.