There hasn’t really been a new Christmas tradition since Elf. Well, I don’t know, your family’s traditions may include other films. In our house, we watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (and Black Christmas when the parents go to sleep). Netflix is hoping that this new Santa story will be one you come back to more than a few Christmases from now.

Kate and Teddy Pierce aren’t expecting a good Christmas. Their father died this year, they’ve been drifting apart and Teddy has even gotten into stealing cars. Yeah, for a seasonal movie, this movie gets dark super quick.

When going through old videos, Kate doesn’t just see her parents (the dad is played by Goldie Hawn’s son Oliver Hudson and the mom is Kimberly Williams-Paisley from Father of the Bride), but a glimpse of Santa. The plan to catch the spirit of Christmas in the act turns into an adventure where they have to save the holiday.

Your mileage may vary as to how much you enjoy this, but I was in the right holiday mood to like it. I really enjoyed how Elvis was such a part of Russell’s Santa. After all, Elvis and the actor have been linked throughout their careers. Kurt Russell’s first movie was the Elvis starring It Happened at the World’s Fair. And the actor really turned heads when he became an adult and played the King in the John Carpenter directed 1979 TV movie Elvis. Since then, Russell was the voice of a young Elvis in Forrest Gump and an Elvis dressing thief in 3000 Miles to Graceland. In this movie, Santa sings the Elvis version of “Santa Claus is Back in Town” while he’s in jail, accompanied by Steven Van Zandt’s Disciples of Soul.

There are also some funny inside jokes, as the first name read from the book of naughty and nice, as well as the kid who asks for a snowboard, are both named for Kurt’s grandsons Bing and Ryder.

As silly as the CGI elves were and as expected as the reveal of Mrs. Claus was, I was in a really forgiving mood and enjoyed their antics. What can I say? It’s almost Christmas.

Becca would like to add that many of her friends feel uncomfortable finding Santa so hot. She said they should just enjoy how good he looks.

You can watch this for yourself on Netflix.