HOLIDAY IN THE WILD
A joyful, heartwarming story about following your calling.
Should You Watch It?
Yes. Holiday in the Wild is a joyful, heartwarming television movie with an exciting African setting, appealing elephant-rescue story, and strong chemistry between Kristin Davis and Rob Lowe. Watching the cast interact with the elephants is especially fun.
The movie celebrates selflessness, friendship, love, generosity, Christmas, and finding a renewed purpose in life. Its Christian, moral worldview gives the story a generous heart, even though the message is marred by divorce and romantic “follow your heart” elements.
The film includes no obscenities or profanities and only one potentially disturbing image: a dead elephant killed by poachers. Older children and adults, especially animal lovers, should find this a worthwhile choice.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESKate is a “retired” veterinarian whose husband abandons her just as her son leaves for college. She travels alone to Africa, where she meets Derek, a pilot passionate about protecting wildlife from poachers.
After Derek rescues a baby elephant, Kate joins him at an elephant sanctuary. There, she rediscovers her love for veterinary work, forms a strong friendship with Derek, and begins to imagine a new purpose for her life.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this film delivers an especially enjoyable viewing experience. Holiday in the Wild is extremely exciting and heartwarming, with a joyful tone throughout.
The cast works well together, and Kristin Davis and Rob Lowe have great chemistry as Kate and Derek. Watching the actors interact with the elephants adds warmth and fun. The movie’s African wildlife setting and rescue story also make it particularly appealing to animal lovers.
The Worldview
Holiday in the Wild promotes selflessness, friendship, love, generosity, and following your calling in life. Kate uses her veterinary skills to save wildlife, while the people at the elephant sanctuary celebrate Christmas by singing carols and hymns. The film also values friendship and the generosity involved in caring for vulnerable animals.
The movie’s moral outlook is marred by divorce and romantic “follow your heart” elements. Kate’s husband abandons her because he is no longer happy in their marriage, and Kate develops romantic feelings for Derek while seeking a new purpose. The story presents her renewed passion for veterinary work and wildlife rescue positively, but its romantic message is less firmly grounded than its themes of service and selflessness.
The film’s longing for purpose connects with Scripture’s call to use our abilities in service to others: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Strong Christian, moral worldview promotes selflessness, self-love, friendship, generosity, and the heroine uses her vet skills to save wildlife, friendships develop and people at a wildlife sanctuary for elephants celebrate Christmas singing carols and hymns, but marred by divorce and romantic follow your heart elements
Foul Language
No obscenities or profanities
Violence
A dead elephant is shown after being poached
Sex
No sex but two characters kiss
Nudity
No nudity
Alcohol Use
Adults drink champagne and beer
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drugs;
Miscellaneous Immorality
A married man abandons his wife and college-age son.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Kate rediscovers joy by using her veterinary skills to care for elephants. What gifts has God given you, and how might you use them to serve others?
1 Peter 4:10 · Philippians 2:3–4The people at the sanctuary celebrate Christmas with carols and hymns. How can worship and generosity shape the way your family celebrates Christmas?
Luke 2:10–14 · 2 Corinthians 9:7The story connects happiness with following your heart. How should our desires be tested against God’s wisdom and Word?
Proverbs 3:5–6 · Psalm 119:105Kate faces pain after her husband leaves and her son moves away. Where can people find strength and hope when life changes unexpectedly?
Psalm 34:18 · Romans 15:13The Final Word
Holiday in the Wild is an exciting, heartwarming movie about service, friendship, Christmas, and finding a renewed calling. Its divorce and romantic “follow your heart” elements deserve family discussion, and one image may disturb some viewers. For older children and adults—especially animal lovers—it is WORTH THE TRIP.
