Heaven Down Here (2023 Hallmark)
📺. Stream/Watch the Movie (Ad): Watch or Stream via Hallmark Movies Now
Cast: Krystal Joy Brown, Tina Lifford, Juan Riedinger, Richard Harmon, and Phylicia Rashad
Director: Anne Wheeler
Writer: Shana Lloyd, Alison McKenzie
➡️ Check out our Youtube Channel: Lifetime Uncorked: Lifetime Movie Reviews
🎧 Listen to the Lifetime Uncorked Podcast: Listen Now
🍷 Support the show with a $5 tip: https://ko-fi.com/patrickserrano
Accused: The Karen Read Story, Katie Cassidy, and Turtleboy? – Lifetime Uncorked
- Accused: The Karen Read Story, Katie Cassidy, and Turtleboy?
- It's A Wonderful Lifetime Preview, Brandy Norwood, Vivica A. Fox, and Airplane Movies?
- If I Run Lifetime Movie, Kat Graham, and Prayer Requests?
- Ice Road Killer Lifetime Movie, Christmas Thrillers, and Truckers
- You Better Watch Out, Christmas in July, and Bramblefest?
- The Nanny Sees All 2025 Lifetime Movie, Child Actor of the Year, and Golden Madison?
- I'm Your Biggest Fan Lifetime Movie, Hailey Duff Directs, and Beverley Mitchell?
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlySynopsis (via Hallmark)
Four disparate people find themselves stranded at a local diner on Christmas Eve during a snowstorm. As they start to argue and develop bonds, they unwittingly provide one another with the answers to their respective prayers. (2023 Hallmark Channel)
Recap/Wine Thoughts
It’s the day before Christmas, and Imani sings Christmas carols while making cookies with her kids. Dan, her boss from Rocko’s Diner, calls to see if she can come in for a lunch shift. At first, she says no because she wants to be with her kids, but she reconsiders because she needs money even more.
Felix is a preacher at the local church, and his congregation cannot sing. He has trouble raising donations for Christmas for the church.
Clara lives in town and is upset that her daughter is moving to LA for film school and is PALEO! Clara is a nurse for Phylicia Rashad, who is a handful and rude AF! (She really just wants to decorate for the holidays.)
“Heaven Down Here” by Mickey Guyton plays on the radio, and the song touches the three main characters as a snowstorm moves into town.
Felix’s car breaks down by the diner, and Imani helps him call a tow and gives him some spiked eggnog. He asks the owner, Dan, if he would be willing to donate food for the Christmas dinner. Dan declines and tells the pastor that he is running a business, not a charity.
Dan leaves and puts Imani in charge. When she gets stiffed by a hot dad, Felix comes to her defense. Imani goes to the backroom and sings “Heaven Down Here” while putting on makeup in the mirror. She returns to find $20 on the table.
Clara stops by the diner to pick up a cake and gets stuck because of the snow. Imani takes care of them, thinking she is responsible for the restaurant since Dan has left. (Or so they thought!) Dan has been playing video games in his office.
Imani is outraged and tries to storm off, but the storm rages on, and a power line blows up. They sit in the diner, and Dan admits that he was going to spend Christmas alone. They go around and remember their favorite Christmas memories that we see through flashbacks.
Next, they decorate the diner to help pass the time. Imani talks about being interacially adopted. Then she freaks out because someone pickpocketed her earlier on her shift. Claire tells her she should be more careful and is the next person to get on Imani’s bad side.
Pastor Felix finds a piano, and they Livestream Christmas songs to Imani’s kids. The singing makes Imani feel better, and everyone tells her she has a gift.
The generator goes out too now, so they rush to cook the food so it doesn’t go to waste. The cooked food can go to the church for Christmas dinner. Everyone dances around the kitchen, and does it seem like Imani and Felix are vibing?
The following day, city workers clear the down power lines and the snow.
Felix thanks them for helping him find his faith and reconnect with his son. Claire, Imani, and Dan offer to help at the Church dinner later that evening.
As they start to leave, Claire drops a photo from Phylicia Rashad‘s file. It is Imani as a baby. She was given up for adoption when her mother suddenly died and is Phylicia Rashad‘s granddaughter. Also, Imani’s tips show up! Claire takes Imani to Phylicia Rashad‘s house and gives her a unique Christmas gift: her daughter and great-grandchildren. Phylicia Rashad stops being insufferable and is excited to spend time with her long-lost family.
Imani sings “Heaven Down Here” at the church, and everyone loves it. She revitalized the sad choir one year later, and the church was saved!
Note/Stray Thoughts
Heaven Down Here was a song; who knew!
I feel like Richard Harmon has been playing the hot, brooding guy forever.
Overall rating
Pour it up
Put a Cork in It
Christmas Feels
🎄🎄🎄🎄 (4 Christmas Trees)
Enjoyment Level: 🍷🍷🍷 (3 glasses of wine.)
What did you think of the movie? Let me know in the comments or on social media @LifetimeUncorked
📺. Stream/Watch the Movie (Ad):
➡️ Check out our Youtube Channel: Lifetime Uncorked: Lifetime Movie Reviews
🎧 Listen to the Lifetime Uncorked Podcast: Listen Here
🍷 Support the show/blog with a $5 tip: https://ko-fi.com/patrickserrano
Inquiries | podcast@lifetimeuncorked.com
🍾 Your Support is appreciated. Donate today to keep the website going! Thank you.
*Photo Credit: © 2023 Hallmark
