Love on the Amazon is one of those Hallmark outings that makes you blink twice and go, “Wait… did they just try something new?” And the answer is yes — gloriously, refreshingly yes. Instead of the usual cookie‑cutter pairing of a small‑town baker and a big‑city architect rediscovering the meaning of Christmas, we get a marine biologist studying pink dolphins and a riverboat captain navigating the Amazon. It’s Hallmark, but with humidity, biodiversity, and actual stakes. The film immediately signals that it’s not here to play by the usual rules, and honestly, that alone earns it goodwill.
A huge part of that shift comes from the casting. Jaicy Elliot and Rafael de la Fuente aren’t the typical Hallmark leads — and that’s precisely why they work. Elliot brings a grounded, wry warmth that feels lived‑in rather than manufactured, and de la Fuente has that rare Hallmark‑male quality: charisma that isn’t just “I own a flannel shirt.” Their chemistry isn’t the usual saccharine slow‑burn; it’s playful, teasing, and rooted in two people who actually seem like they’d choose each other in real life. Imagine that. Hallmark letting adults behave like adults.
The humor also lands in a way that feels looser and more organic than the network’s usual “oops, I spilled cocoa on your sweater” brand. The script by Juliana Wimbles gives the leads room to banter, rib each other, and occasionally roll their eyes at the absurdity of their situation — which, let’s be honest, is exactly what any of us would do if we were trying to deliver an urgent message while dodging river hazards and unexpected wildlife. The jokes don’t feel punched‑up; they feel like the kind of humor that happens when two people are stuck together on a boat and trying not to lose their minds.
Director Colin Theys leans into the location in a way that elevates the whole film. The Amazon isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character, a mood, a vibe. The cinematography gives us lush greens, winding waterways, and a sense of scale that Hallmark rarely attempts. It’s a far cry from the usual “generic small town filmed in Vancouver but pretending to be Vermont.” You can practically feel the humidity and hear the insects plotting your demise. And that authenticity gives the romance a sense of adventure that Hallmark often promises but rarely delivers.
What really makes Love on the Amazon worth celebrating, though, is how confidently it steps outside the network’s comfort zone. It embraces leads who aren’t the standard mold, a setting that isn’t a snow‑globe town square, and a story that doesn’t hinge on a last‑minute misunderstanding about a bakery contest. It’s still cozy, still charming, still unmistakably Hallmark — but it’s Hallmark with a pulse, a sense of curiosity, and a willingness to let its characters be a little messy and interesting.
So yes, this one earns a solid 4 crowns out of 5. It’s fun, it’s fresh, it’s a little chaotic in the best way, and it proves that Hallmark can absolutely break its own formula when it wants to. If this is the direction the network is heading, I say bring on more pink dolphins, more unexpected leads, and more movies that trust their audience to enjoy something just a bit off the beaten path.
MPAA Rating: TV-G.
Runtime: 84 mins
Director: Colin theys
Writer: Juliana Wimbles
Cast: Jaicy Elliot; Rafael de la Fuente; Raissa Xavier
Genre: Drama | Romance
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote: "That was the most alive i've ever felt."
Distributor: Hallmark +
Official Site:
Release Date: January 17, 2026
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: Claire travels to Brazil and hires Danny, a riverboat captain, to help her deliver an important message for her sister Amelia, a marine biologist studying pink dolphins on the Amazon River.
