Love Hard: Netflix Fans Conflicted Over Catfish Josh

Netflix's new Christmas movie Love Hard explores a very non-traditional topic of catfishing.

Starring Nina Dobrev, the film focuses on Natalie Bauer, a columnist based in Los Angeles.

She ends up meeting a guy named Josh (Jimmy O. Yang) on a dating app - and falls head over heels in love. 

But after flying 3,000 miles to surprise him in his hometown for Christmas, she finds out she's been catfished and Josh isn't who he said he was.

Catfishing is when someone uses another person’s pictures as their own to create a false identity on social media.

Natalie discovers Josh has been filling his dating profile with photos of a man named Tag (played by Darren Barnet).

Netflix)

Josh makes a deal with Natalie; Josh will help Natalie get a date with Tag - the man in the photos - if Natalie pretends to be Josh's girlfriend for the holiday season, in a bid to please his family.

While the festive romcom with a twist has delighted many viewers, some have felt conflicted over the film's use of the catfishing trope.

One fan took to Twitter to reflect on the film's unusual premise. "#LoveHard is actually good. But not the idea of catfishing of course. Some parts of it made me cry an inch. Yeah."

Another viewer shared similar thoughts. "Watching Love Hard and I feel like she’s going to fall for the guy that catfished her and (even though I feel bad for him (kind of)) I still think catfishing is so wrong that I can’t get behind that."

Netflix)

A third Twitter user said: "putting aside the stereotype that "nerdy" asian men can't be attractive, #lovehard is one of the better rom-coms netflix put out. the leads have so much chemistry and josh is honestly such an attractive character i didn't care what he looked like i would've married him anyway."

While a fourth person didn't know which man Natalie should choose. "Watching Love Hard and I’m confused. Are we hoping she gets with Josh? Or Tag?"

Twitter)

Twitter)

Twitter)

Another person replied: "

Love this film! Totally rooted for Josh."

Lots of Netflix viewers loved the film overall, with one writing: "Omg fell in love with a Christmas movie after soooo long #LoveHard on Netflix is everything I look forward to in a Xmas movie and I just loved everything about it - from the story to the cast and the beautiful ending. Happy tears."

While another said: "Love hard on Netflix. Yes I cried happy tears."

Love Hard is available on Netflix now.

Topics: TV And Film, Christmas

Gregory Robinson

Gregory is a journalist working for Tyla. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, he has worked for both print and online publications and is particularly interested in TV, (pop) music and lifestyle. He loves Madonna, teen dramas from the '90s and prefers tea over coffee.