Happiest Season Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Girl brings her girlfriend home for Christmas, but the family is insane and chaos ensues, also there might be some light treason involved.

🍿 Happiest Season: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Christmas Proposal Gone Awry

Abby, who dislikes Christmas due to the loss of her parents, is invited by her girlfriend Harper to spend the holidays with her family. Abby plans to propose to Harper on Christmas morning, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to take their relationship to the next level. However, Harper reveals she hasn’t come out to her conservative parents and asks Abby to pretend to be her straight roommate.

Navigating the Caldwell Family

At Harper’s family home, Abby meets Harper’s parents, Ted and Tipper, and her quirky sister, Jane. She quickly realizes the high expectations and competitive dynamics within the family. Adding to the awkwardness, Abby encounters Harper’s ex-boyfriend, Connor, and former girlfriend, Riley, making her question how well she knows Harper.

Secrets and Revelations

As Abby tries to fit in, Ted’s mayoral campaign takes center stage. Abby unwittingly jeopardizes Ted’s chances when she is falsely accused of shoplifting. She also learns from Riley that Harper hid her sexuality in high school, further complicating Abby’s understanding of her girlfriend. Tensions rise, leading to a dramatic Christmas Eve party.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Abby (Kristen Stewart): Abby, grappling with past trauma, accompanies her girlfriend home for the holidays, only to discover a hidden secret that tests their relationship.
• Harper (Mackenzie Davis): Harper invites her girlfriend home for Christmas but hasn’t come out to her conservative family, forcing Abby to pretend to be just a friend.
• Ted (Victor Garber): Ted is Harper’s father and a mayoral candidate, who prioritizes his public image and political aspirations above all else.
• Tipper (Mary Steenburgen): Tipper, Harper’s mother, is a perfectionist who is obsessed with appearances and maintaining a flawless family image.
• Sloane (Alison Brie): Sloane is Harper’s competitive older sister, who struggles to maintain the facade of a perfect life while hiding her own secrets.
• John (Dan Levy): John, Abby’s supportive gay best friend, provides her with much-needed advice and perspective during the stressful holiday visit.
• Riley Johnson (Aubrey Plaza): Riley is Harper’s former girlfriend who offers Abby insight into Harper’s past and the challenges of navigating her family’s expectations.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• John: “Hey, Harper not coming out to her parents has nothing to do with you.” – John tries to reassure Abby that Harper’s choices about coming out are personal and not a reflection on their relationship.
• John: “Everybody’s story is different.” – John emphasizes the varied experiences of coming out, highlighting that there’s no single ‘right’ way.
• John: “That moment’s really terrifying! And once you say those words, you can’t un-say them.” – He explains the fear and irreversible nature of coming out, underlining the weight of the decision.

💰Box Office

• Budget: None
• Domestic Gross: None
• Worldwide Gross: $2,110,618

💥 Happiest Season Reviews

Personal Review

I really wanted to love ‘Happiest Season,’ and while parts of it were great (Dan Levy is always a gem), the overall experience was a bit stressful. I cringed watching Abby navigate that awkward family situation, and I felt bad for Kristen Stewart’s character. Harper was so frustrating! There were times when I just wanted Abby to run off with Aubrey Plaza and call it a day. Although there were some nice heartwarming moments, I did not expect it to be so emotional! But still, it’s an important movie that shows a diverse perspective on the holiday season.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of romantic comedies”
  • “LGBTQ+ audiences”
  • “People who enjoy holiday movies”
  • “Kristen Stewart and Aubrey Plaza fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Deals with themes of hiding one’s identity”
  • “Family conflict”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Happiest Season isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s a charming and well-acted holiday rom-com that tackles complex issues with sensitivity. Stewart and Davis bring authenticity to their roles, making it a relatable and enjoyable watch.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While the plot follows familiar rom-com beats, ‘Happiest Season’ stands out for its heartfelt portrayal of a same-sex relationship within the context of family expectations. The ensemble cast delivers strong performances, making it a worthwhile holiday viewing experience.
• Variety: “DuVall has assembled a killer cast, but the film leans too heavily on predictable tropes. Stewart’s solid and Plaza is a breath of fresh air, but Davis plays a rather unsympathetic character whose flaws feel insufficiently addressed by the end.

Audience Reactions

Dan Levy and Aubrey Plaza stole the show with their amazing performances.: Many viewers praised the performances of Dan Levy and Aubrey Plaza, feeling they brought much-needed humor and heart to the film.

The movie provides great representation for the LGBTQ+ community in a Christmas rom-com.: Many appreciated the film for its LGBTQ+ representation, marking a significant step for holiday movies.

Overall Consensus: Happiest Season is a holiday rom-com with a strong cast and heartwarming moments, although some find the plot predictable and the characters flawed.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Clea DuVall, the director, drew from her own experiences when writing the script, making it a personal and meaningful project for her.”
• “The movie was filmed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, providing a realistic backdrop for the holiday setting.”
• “The end credits feature Instagram-style snapshots, offering glimpses into the characters’ lives beyond the film’s timeline.”

🖥️ How to Watch Happiest Season?

Happiest Season is available to stream on Hulu. You can also rent or purchase the movie on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Happiest Season, you might like these similar films:

• Love, Simon (2018): Deals with similar themes of coming out and family acceptance but focuses on a gay teenager.
• The Family Stone (2005): Features a quirky, dysfunctional family dynamic during the holidays, similar to the Caldwells.
• Friendsgiving (2020): Another holiday-themed ensemble comedy with a focus on relationships, secrets, and unexpected guests.
• But I’m a Cheerleader (1999): A satirical comedy that tackles LGBTQ+ themes with a lighter, more humorous approach, appealing to fans of queer cinema.

🛒 Happiest Season Related Products

• Happiest Season [Blu-ray]: Own the physical copy of the movie and enjoy extended scenes and behind-the-scenes content. A perfect addition to your holiday movie collection.
• Happiest Season Movie Poster: Get a high-quality print of the official movie poster. Perfect for decorating your room or home theater and showing your love for the film.
• Kristen Stewart Movie Collection [DVD]: A digital bundle of Kristen Stewart’s best films, including ‘Happiest Season.’ Enjoy her diverse acting range and powerful performances.
• Funny Gay Sayings Quote Design T-Shirt: Premium quality, funny shirt for fans of the movie. Show off your support with a hilarious Dan Levy inspired quote.

🎧 Soundtrack

Happiest Season features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Candy Cane Lane” – performed by Sia
• “Christmas Morning” – performed by Sasha Sloan

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

abby and john putting up with each other for 5 minutes [happiest season]

Obsessed with Abby and John’s friendship in Happiest Season? This video is 5 minutes of pure comedic gold showcasing their best moments together. Trust me, you’ll be laughing the whole time!

HAPPIEST SEASON Bloopers & Gag Reel (2020)

Ever wonder what it’s like on set? This blooper reel from Happiest Season is hilarious! It’s so fun to see the cast cracking up and being themselves.

happiest season but it’s just RILEY

Team Riley all the way? This video is for you! It’s a compilation of all her best moments in the movie. You may end up wishing she was the main character after watching this!

✨ Rate