Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy leads Prime Video with cozy, heartfelt romance

A blizzard, a broken plan, and a woman who thought she knew what happiness looked like. Finding Joy opens on the quiet ache of a designer escaping New York success for Colorado silence – until the storm forces her into the orbit of a stranger who might just change everything. Written and directed by Tyler Perry, this romantic drama finds warmth in isolation and hope in heartbreak. The trailer is at the end of the article.

Tyler Perry leaves behind his usual family-ensemble comedies to explore something quieter – a story of emotional survival dressed as a winter romance. Joy (Thornton) is a fashion designer whose career and relationship hit a wall. When a trip meant to rekindle love goes wrong, she’s forced to rely on Ridge (Morohunfola), a stranger who offers her shelter and an unexpected sense of calm (if you’re looking for Tyler Perry’s signature style, don’t miss Madea brings holiday chaos and laughter to Netflix’s top 10).

Stranded in the snow-covered mountains, Joy must navigate not only the harsh weather but her own doubts and insecurities. As she spends time with Ridge, the two slowly develop trust, sharing conversations, routines, and quiet moments that reveal their personal struggles. Along the way, Joy also reconnects with her friends and gains perspective on what she truly wants from her career and life. The film carefully balances these moments of introspection with the natural tension of isolation, creating a plot that is both emotionally engaging and gently suspenseful—without giving away the resolution of their journey.

What follows isn’t a grand romance, but a story of healing. Perry focuses on emotional honesty rather than melodrama, letting small gestures—shared meals, late-night talks, quiet walks—carry the weight. Thornton’s performance is thoughtful and grounded, and Morohunfola gives Ridge a quiet strength that complements her vulnerability.

Visually, the film shifts between the gleam of Manhattan runways versus the rough, snow-covered solitude of Colorado. The cinematography by Justyn Moro captures that contrast, making the mountains feel both freeing and isolating.

Beneath its surface, the film explores identity, loss, and the courage to start over. It’s about letting go of perfection, learning to forgive both yourself and others, and finding value in the moments that don’t go as planned. Joy’s journey reminds us that life rarely follows a script, and that the quiet, unremarkable moments—shared laughter over coffee, a long walk through falling snow, a heartfelt conversation by the fire—can carry the deepest meaning. In the process, the film asks us to reflect on our own setbacks and the ways in which vulnerability can open the door to unexpected growth and connection.

Critics have been mixed: some find the pacing uneven, others praise Perry’s restraint. But viewers responded immediately. Within a week of release, Finding Joy became Prime Video’s #1 film, showing that audiences still crave heartfelt stories with emotional sincerity over spectacle.

Ultimately, the film offers exactly what its title promises: not easy happiness, but earned peace. Finding Joy doesn’t reinvent the genre—it refines it. Perry’s touch is softer here, his message simpler: even when life unravels, connection can start the healing.

Finding Joy isn’t about fireworks or grand gestures—it’s about moments of connection, self-discovery, and the courage to embrace life’s imperfections. For viewers drawn to heartfelt, character-driven tales, this winter romance is a must-watch, offering warmth and reflection in equal measure.
► Watch on Prime Video

In the meantime, enjoy the trailer below.