What better way to kick off the holiday season than with Netflix’s latest Christmas rom-com, Dash & Lily?
Adapted from the YA book series Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David
Levithan, the show explores crucial coming-of-age issues like love, transformation and childhood scars through the story of two teenagers trading dreams, dares and desires in New York City over the holiday season.
The story begins with Lily (Midori Francis), a holiday-loving, enthusiastic nerd, leaving a red notebook with a dare written inside on the shelf at Manhattan’s famous bookstore The Strand, hoping to meet someone special this time of the year. Cynical, holiday-hating Dash (Austin Abrams) picks up the journal and does her dare, and the two embark on a romantic adventure around the city.
While pushing each other towards scavenger trips outside of each other’s bubbles, Dash and Lily gradually draw closer to each other. For a couple that does not share a lot of screen time together, the pair certainly shows exceptional chemistry.
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The show incorporates all the essential holiday rom-com tropes (like a Christmas miracle), but it also goes above and beyond to show the depth of the characters. By communicating via paper-and-pen, Dash and Lily gradually open up to each other and reveal painful childhood memories. Instead of merely focusing on romantic development, the show is able to cope with the complicated issues that go along with healing these traumas and adapting to change.
In addition to the enchanting plot, the Netflix original also features a wonderful holiday soundtrack, from all the classic Christmas carols to modern festive jazz. It even includes a performance by the Jonas Brothers!
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The ambience of New York during Christmas is delightful and really allows the audience to get in a festive mood, and the multiple stories are weaved together nicely.
If there is one thing this pair have taught us, it would be to keep dreaming, daring and believing during this magical time of the year. Dash & Lily is an adorable and heartwarming show, perfect for snuggling into the weekend with a warm blanket and a mug of hot chocolate.