(Credits: Netflix)

The post-holiday blues after New Year’s can be pretty tough – everything slows down, and the festive excitement fades like it never happened in the first place. What stings all the more is the return to routine life, which you cannot resist, just like the packing up of festive décor. While the end of festive trim might make you feel like there’s no going back from this feeling, don’t worry! Netflix has some great picks to cheer you up or at least offer some distraction.

Whether you’re looking for something funny or inspirational, Netflix has it all to shake off those post-New Year’s blues. But if you let us do the heavy lifting this one time, The Half of It could be your movie outlet to decompress.

Although the festive frenzy surrounding holiday rom-coms might make you feel like the recommendation is a stretch, what many don’t realise is that The Half of It is anything but an ordinary rom-com.

Not only does it swap the loud and hectic energy of holiday blockbusters for a quiet, introspective binge session, but it also allows viewers to get cosy in an atmosphere that actually feels like a breather after a whole night of partying.

If you plan to launch yourself back to reality with something that feels grounded and still hopeful, The Half of It completely fits the bill. However, if you still have doubts, the only way to get over them is to take a chance.

Loosely based on Edmond Rostand’s 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac, The Half of It tells the story of a Chinese-American student who assists a jock from her class to woo a girl whom they both secretly like. Set in the fictional, rainy town of Squahamish, Washington, the coming-of-age comedy-drama, unlike high-octane and fluttery rom-coms, is actually a low-key film. It moves at a gentle pace, focusing on the intricacies of life, such as shared meals and written letters.

The Half of It’s aesthetics heavily rely on a muted palate, creating a source of warmth that easily takes away the blues of post-festive days. Despite largely falling back on worn flannels and misty landscapes, it’s the perfect cinematic escape that will push you to curl up under a blanket and get lost in a world that’s not yours to begin with.

The Half of It is undoubtedly in the DNA of rom-com, and yet, it subverts the genre, making it the perfect pick for the days you feel unsure of what to watch next on Netflix. It distances itself from sugary cliches, focusing instead on platonic friendships, self-discovery and acceptance. This could particularly feel refreshing after the dose of “happily ever afters” that the holiday movies brought on their coattails.

But just so you aren’t mistaken, The Half of It is not exactly a mindless escape; it’s a thoughtful one. So, in case you’re on the lookout for movies that feel purely slapstick, this may not be it. But if you’re seeking a comfort watch that feels like a cup of tea on a rainy afternoon, this is probably it.