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It’s safe to say that Lindsay Lohan’s comeback (or what some might call “The Lindsay Lohan-aissance”) has officially begun.
Thanks to a two-part movie deal the 37-year-old actress signed with Netflix, we saw the release of her holiday rom-com Falling for Christmas in 2022 (read our honest review here). And next up on the list is the new rom-com Irish Wish, which just premiered on the platform last week and has already hit #1 on Netflix's top ten most-watched list.
Irish Wish follows a book editor named Maddie (Lohan), who’s secretly in love with her boss/best-selling author, Paul Kennedy. But her world turns upside down when her best friend Emma and Kennedy start dating and ultimately get engaged.
Days before the wedding, Maddie makes a wish (with the help of an ancient stone in Ireland) for true love. The next day, she wakes up as the bride-to-be. While preparing for her wedding, Maddie meets a dashing nature photographer named James (Ed Speleers). As sparks begin to fly between her and James, Maddie finds herself torn between the two men. So, is she meant to be with Paul? Or is James her one true love?
Aside from Lohan, audiences may recognize a few familiar faces amongst the Irish Wish ensemble cast. In the film, Lohan’s on-screen love interest is played by Speleers, who you may recognize from the popular Netflix thriller series, You. (FYI, the British actor was first introduced in You season four.)
Another notable face is Ayesha Curry, who plays Heather (aka one of Maddie’s best friends). In case you didn’t know, the 34-year-old is the wife of basketball star, Steph Curry. Oh, and did we mention that the soon-to-be mother of four owns a cookware brand called PotsandPans, which is available to shop on Amazon?
Other cast members include Alexander Vlahos (Versailles, Sanditon), Jane Seymour (Somewhere in Time), Elizabeth Tan (The Singapore Grip) and Ella Cannon (It’s a Christmas Thing).
On the surface, Irish Wish may seem like another cheesy rom-com. While yes, it does have its moments (insert the dramatic “Big Kiss” scene here), it does pay homage to the classic rom-coms that came before it. For example, Maddie and Paul’s dynamic in Irish Wish feels reminiscent of similar pairings in romantic films like The Holiday (2006), where Iris (Kate Winslet) is still in love with her colleague, Jasper (Rufus Sewell), whom she works with at the Daily Telegraph.
And, of course, we see similarities between Irish Wish and the 1997 classic, My Best Friend’s Wedding, which stars Julia Roberts as Julianne Potter, who’s in love with her childhood best friend, Michael (Dermot Mulroney). However, she doesn’t realize her feelings for him until he’s getting ready to tie the knot with a beautiful 20-year-old woman named Kimberly (Cameron Diaz).
Another reason why Irish Wish is worth the watch is because it doesn’t try too hard to be funny. (We’re looking at you, Anyone but You). In this Netflix rom-com, the jokes come naturally and they don’t feel forced. From Maddie and James’s witty banter to the hilarious fight scene between Paul and James on Maddie’s wedding day, we couldn’t help but laugh. (Or, at least, crack a smile.)
If you loved watching Lindsay Lohan’s movies in the late 1990s and early 2000s, then you will thoroughly enjoy Irish Wish.
The Netflix rom-com does include subtle nods to the movies featured in the former child star’s catalog. In one scene, Maddie is shocked to find Paul taking a shower in her bathroom. Soon, Maddie realizes that she’s the one getting married to Paul instead of Emma. This particular scene instantly reminded us of a similar scene in 2003’s Freaky Friday (which is getting a sequel, btw), where teenage Anna (Lohan) wakes up to find herself trapped in her mother’s (Jamie Lee Curtis) body.
Since the majority of Irish Wish takes place in Ireland, the film does a great job of incorporating Irish culture into the narrative, from showcasing the beautiful landscapes to implementing an Irish dance number.
Overall, Irish Wish is a feel-good, lighthearted romantic comedy that is enjoyable to watch. With its tender moments, romance clichés and a solid performance by the ensemble cast, this movie is perfect if you’re looking for a fun rom-com to watch on a casual movie night.
