Rachel Bilson explains why Christmas at the Kringles is more ho-ho-horror than holiday cheer

A Christmas movie being released in October feels like it should be illegal, but Christmas at the Kringles is as horrifying as any Halloween classic.

Or should I say it brings the ho-ho-horror to the holiday season...sorry.

If you thought you knew a thing or two about the Christmas comedy thriller genre and what it throws at audiences, think again, because this isn't like anything you've seen before.

With a plot that's something out of the noughties' slapstick comedy style, and a family that takes the festive season to a whole new level – it really does feel like it belongs right where it is in theatres today (30 October).

It's also not going easy on its celebrity star power.

Starring Ron Livingston, Rachel Bilson, Donald Faison, Rob Riggle, Tom Lennon, Arden Myrin and more, the film mixes its horror elements with unexpected comedy, thanks to its funny-heavy casting choice (thank you, director Kevin Lewis.)

Rachel Bilson's new Christmas film isn't what you'd expect (Briarcliff Entertainment)

Christmas at the Kringles is described as follows: "The Severson family move to a suburban neighborhood where their neighbours, the Kringles, celebrate Christmas year-round and harbour sinister intentions to hypnotise and indoctrinate them."

But speaking to Tyla ahead of its cinema release today, Hart of Dixie alum, Bilson, who stars as Julie Severson, explained that she has 'never laughed harder' than whilst filming the scary flick.

Oh, and that her The O.C. character, Summer Roberts, would kick the Kris out of the Kringles' a****.

The actress, who hasn't been in a film since 2019's Lovestruck, and has just found success with her 2026 return to Scrubs as Zach Braff's love interest, Charlie, says her experience with the cast of the Christmas movie has been nothing but positive.

It also left her in awe of Tom Lennon and Arden Myrin's comedic talents as she says the pair riffed and improvised many scenes – some of which couldn't make the final cut.

"Honestly, the moments where I was playing opposite Thomas Lennon and Arden Marine and they would just go off improv-ing, literally, I would be like, I don't know what movie this is, but I want to live in it because it was hysterical. I mean, their comedy and improv-ing together," praised Bilson. "It was just stuff of pure genius. It was hilarious. I've never laughed harder.

In fact, it's downright scary (Briarcliff Entertainment)

She added: "I think some of the improv during the scenes when they were going off were so good, smart, funny, quick, and there are some lines that didn't make it in that I really wish would have."

Calling the 'whole movie' a project that 'is pretty out there and insane in the best way', the Jumper actress admitted that there were moments where she wasn't sure how the team were going to 'pull this off.'

She explained to Tyla: "There were so many things in the film that I was like, 'they're not gonna be able to do - like how are we gonna do that?'"

However, she said it 'all worked, and it all came together' with the help of the director, Lewis, who she said 'is so talented and literally created the best environment for all of us' on set.

But despite working on a flick that sees Christmas celebrations taken to a whole new level, Bilson says she isn't sick of Xmas, and loves it. Except one tradition she dropped a warning about to Tyla.

The mother-of-one said: "I love Christmas traditions. I really do. It's such a good feeling and a comforting time of year. I don't know if there's anything that I would want to get rid of. I honestly love it. I love all of it."

But 'if you have children...don't start Elf on the Shelf.'

The actress laughed as she explained her thoughts on the beloved - yet menacing tradition: "Honestly, I'm being kind of funny because it is really magical if you have the time and commitment to really do it. It's so much fun, but then you're so committed and you're in it for years."

Bilson said she's 'never laughed harder' despite the subject matter (Briarcliff Entertainment)

She added: "I don't want to get rid of it, I just want to just [issue a] fair warning for everyone to really think it through before you start."

While Bilson has a few Christmassy credits to her name, one which has very much stood out is the 2000s hit, The O.C., which kick started her career and sent teenage girls everywhere into a frenzy of wishing their name was as cool as Summer Roberts.

As 2026 has seen an increase in the 90s and noughties nostalgia, which has also culminated in plenty of reboots and spin-offs (like Scrubs), Bilson revealed whether she'd be open to reprising her much-loved role.

She said: "You know, I think we all always just kind of talk about it. I'm very close with Josh Schwartz, the creator, and, you know, it's two-sided because we had so much fun and I love everyone that we work with on that show."

However, she said the question is: "Do you want to go back or do you want to kind of leave it as, like, preserved?"

Calling the show 'special', she said she would be open to reprising her role 'if there were real talks because I just love it I love Summer and I love all the people' she worked with.

Bilson said 'there's so many reboots nowadays, and Scrubs has done it very successfully', but she doesn't know.

"I'll leave it open-ended, I guess," she said.

Then, at the end of her conversation with Tyla, she admitted that is Summer was dropped off on the street of the Kringles' neighbourhood, she said she'd 'take everybody out'.

She said: "I have so much faith in her. She would just take everybody out."

However, when it comes to the other The O.C. characters on the show, she said it would be 'way too controversial' to suggest anyone wouldn't survive the scary neighbours.

So, you can come up with the name of who you think would survive all by yourself.