Irish Wish: Why Netflix Trash Is the Brand of Rom-Com We Want

Irish Wish Why Netflix Trash Is the Brand of Rom-Com We Want

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re exploring why Netflix’s “Irish Wish” is a stellar example of the trashy rom-com we can’t get enough of. Since we’re discussing plot points, this is your spoiler warning.

In March 2024, Netflix hoped some of the Luck of the Irish would rub off on them with their latest romcom, “Irish Wish.” It stars Lindsay Lohan as Maddie, a book editor harboring a secret crush on Paul Kennedy, an author she works with, played by Alexander Vlahos. While she musters up the courage to tell him how she feels, he meets her best friend Emma; they hit it off, and the next thing we know, we’re off to Ireland for their wedding. Once there, Maddie meets this kooky, mysterious woman who answers her wish to take her friend’s place as the bride-to-be. All of a sudden, Maddie finds herself living someone else’s life, and to top it off, she unexpectedly finds herself falling for the charismatic nature photographer James Thomas, portrayed by Ed Speleers. Sounds cheesy and predictable already? Yes, indeed! Will we be hooked from the moment we hit play? You betcha!

Netflix’s rom-coms are often criticized for being so predictable that they could’ve been written by some algorithm, and guess what? They’re not entirely wrong! Remember the golden era of rom-coms from the mid-to-late ’80s to the 00s? We were treated to unforgettable pairings like Julia Roberts with Richard Gere, Sandra Bullock with Ryan Reynolds, Kate Hudson with Matthew McConaughey, and Meg Ryan with Billy Crystal. But suddenly, rom-coms fell out of favor. After all, yeah, we get it: chance encounters, unlikely romances, overblown gestures of love, yada yada yada. In short, we were largely over it. The pandemic seemed to seal the deal, with the next big release being whatever was streaming on whichever platform you had access to.

But do you know who was keeping an eye on what we were watching? Yep, Netflix! They noticed that many of us (about 80 million, according to some sources) still had a hunger for the genre and decided it was time to dust it off and give it a revival.

As many of us found ourselves stuck at home during global lockdowns, those classic Hallmark-style rom-com plots suddenly didn’t seem so tired anymore. For about 90 minutes at a time, we were transported to picturesque settings and swept up in the love lives of a new generation of rom-com stars. We became as invested in their relationships as if they were our own friends gossiping about their latest romantic escapades.

What made these films particularly appealing was that they didn’t demand much mental effort from us. We knew exactly who the main characters were, who would play the comical best friend, and who would likely sweep in as the unlikely plot twist love interest. The stories were predictable enough that you could probably play the quickest game of bingo ever by counting the familiar tropes.

“Irish Wish” may not break new ground in the rom-com genre, but it thrives on its comforting predictability. From the beginning, it’s clear that Paul is not Maddie’s perfect match. When she and James fight over a suitcase at baggage claim, we know this is the love story we’ll be rooting for. And when they find themselves spending a cozy evening at a local pub due to a storm, no one’s thinking, “Hey, we hope she makes it back in time to marry the man who’s clearly wrong for her!” It’s not even the first time Lohan has starred in a film where she has to learn some big lesson to reverse a wish she wished she hadn’t made (not a rom-com but our point stands). So we know how these things go.

So, yes, the writing can be cringeworthy at times, and the abundance of clichés makes us question if the script was generated by a computer program with a checklist of rom-com tropes. If that’s the case, romance writers can breathe a sigh of relief knowing their jobs are safe from AI takeover for now. Still, that classic Irish charm wins us over. We know what’s going to happen, and we know we’re on route to a happy ending, but we’re still invested in seeing it play out.

As we’ve seen with previous Netflix titles, star billing can sometimes have more power over quality. When you have someone like Lindsay Lohan leading the cast, you can place her in any romantic scenario with interchangeable love interests, and audiences will still be drawn to it, even if the chemistry feels a bit off. “Irish Wish” follows a familiar formula, but it has just enough charisma to make us root for Maddie—heck, we even root for Paul and Emma.

If you want to trace the origins of romantic comedies, you might find yourself in Stratford-Upon-Avon, peering over William Shakespeare’s shoulder. They’ve been a staple of entertainment ever since. However, when we mention rom-coms, you probably imagine films like “It Happened One Night,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” “Pretty Woman,” and so on. “Irish Wish” embraces everything we adore about these movies: the unlikely meet-cute, the comedy of errors, the moment where you realize love has been right in front of you all along, and finally, the big dramatic declaration of “I can’t live without you!”

However, unlike those classics, “Irish Wish” has to appeal to a modern audience that may not necessarily buy into love at first sight and fate. It taps into themes that resonate with today’s audience, such as self-discovery and empowerment. Maddie’s journey starts with her chasing a guy but ends up being about the pursuit of happiness and fulfillment. It vaguely reminds us of Elle Woods’ transformation in “Legally Blonde.”

“Irish Wish” recognizes that audiences no longer enjoy one-sided love stories written solely for the plot. As the story wraps up, Maddie realizes she shouldn’t have interfered with her friend’s happiness and instead focuses on her own journey, both as a writer and in her relationship with James. As we say goodbye to them at the beautiful Cliffs of Moher, their future together remains uncertain, and that’s okay. Marriage no longer guarantees a happy ending. Just like we once dreamed of finding love on the Empire State Building’s observation deck, now we understand that true romance takes time to develop, but it’s worth the wait.

As we mentioned earlier, Netflix uses data to grasp audience preferences. With many of us joining in for Netflix’s “Summer of Love” back in 2018, they’re probably only just at the beginning of their journey to understanding what audiences enjoy and what we hope to get out of our viewing experiences.

“Irish Wish” may not directly tackle representation, but it reflects a time when audiences are hungry for better diversity in rom-coms. While Netflix has made strides, this film shows there’s still room for improvement. Despite its far-fetched plots, we crave the escape they offer. Whether it’s a Disney princess movie or a classic rom-com, we love these stories for their familiar comfort and promise of a happy ending.

In a world full of distractions (when was the last time you watched a movie without simultaneously scrolling through your phone?), “Irish Wish” strikes a perfect balance, requiring just the right amount of brainpower to enjoy it. It’s refreshing to see Netflix recognizing that rom-coms are more than just fluffy chick flicks—they’re a welcome break from the complexities of real life.


“Irish Wish” might not redefine the modern rom-com genre, but it ticks all the boxes we expect. Sure, it’s filled with clichés—take a shot for each one in the first 20 minutes, and you might forget you’re even watching! But that’s the beauty of it. It’s light-hearted, fun, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. While it may not win awards for its writing, it serves its purpose perfectly. Sometimes, we just need to escape from reality for a while, and Netflix offers us exactly that.

What did you think of “Irish Wish”? Let us know in the comments.