“You think I’m flirting with you?” “Absolutely.” That’s the line Netflix wants stuck in your head this holiday season, and judging by the first trailer for Champagne Problems, they might just succeed.
Directed by Mark Steven Johnson (Love, Guaranteed, Love in the Villa), the film drops November 19, 2025, and it’s aiming squarely at the cozy‑romance crowd who believe Paris looks best under fairy lights and snowfall.
A Familiar Sparkle, With a Twist
Minka Kelly plays Sydney Price, an ambitious American exec sent to France to secure a champagne brand before Christmas. Instead, she stumbles into Henri Cassell (Tom Wozniczka), heir to the very empire she’s trying to acquire. Cue the inevitable: business deal meets holiday romance.
Yes, we’ve seen this setup before. Hell, Hallmark has built an empire on it. But Johnson leans into the glossy Parisian backdrop and lets Kelly carry the charm. She’s not reinventing the wheel, but she’s at least steering it with conviction.
The Cast Behind the Cork
Alongside Kelly and Wozniczka, the supporting cast includes Thibault de Montalemert, Sean Amsing, Flula Borg, Astrid Whettnall, Xavier Samuel, Mitchell Mullen, and Maeve Courtier‑Lilley. It’s a mix of familiar faces and European talent, the kind of ensemble Netflix loves to scatter across its global holiday slate.
Johnson’s Holiday Formula
Johnson’s career has zigzagged from Daredevil to Ghost Rider to feather‑light rom‑coms. With Champagne Problems, he’s clearly chasing the algorithm’s sweet spot: romance, Paris, Christmas. It’s cinematic comfort food — predictable, but plated with enough sparkle to keep you nibbling.
Release Strategy
Netflix will stream the film worldwide starting November 19, 2025. No festival run, no theatrical detour — just straight into living rooms, where it will compete with a dozen other holiday originals.
What to Remember About Champagne Problems
- Paris as the Star: The trailer leans heavily on postcard shots of the city, making location the film’s biggest asset.
- Minka Kelly’s Spotlight: Kelly finally gets a lead role that plays to her strengths — warmth, poise, and a touch of steel.
- Johnson’s Comfort Zone: The director sticks to his proven formula, offering charm over innovation.
- Netflix’s Holiday Playbook: A global release on November 19 ensures it lands just as audiences start craving seasonal escapism.
- Romance Meets Business: The central conflict — love versus acquisition — is as old as cinema, but still effective when played with sincerity.
Would I bet on this film redefining the holiday rom‑com? No. But will it slide down easy with a glass of actual champagne on a cold November night? Absolutely.
So, what’s your move — stream it with a smirk, or skip it for the classics?
