Happiest Season

Happiest Season attempts to mix holiday charm with the complexities of coming out, resulting in a film that feels both festive and fraught. While it offers some genuine laughs, it struggles under the weight of its own expectations.

Festive Proposal Gone Awry

The film follows Abby (Kristen Stewart) who plans a festive proposal to her girlfriend, Harper (Mackenzie Davis), during the family Christmas gathering. However, things take a turn when Abby learns that Harper hasn’t yet revealed her true self to her conservative parents. Set against the backdrop of a holiday celebration, the story weaves in themes of love, acceptance, and familial pressure, often leading to awkward moments that leave both Abby and the audience questioning their decisions. The stakes are raised as Abby navigates the difficult waters of love and hiding in plain sight, all while trying to keep her cool during the chaos of family gatherings.

Uneven Performances, Mixed Results

Kristen Stewart delivers a solid performance as Abby, effectively portraying her frustration and confusion. Mackenzie Davis, while charming, seems somewhat underutilized, especially in the film's heavier emotional moments. Supporting characters, like Dan Levy as John, provide some much-needed comedic relief, but others, such as Alison Brie’s Sloane, often come off as one-dimensional. The potential for deeper relationships is largely ignored, which ultimately leaves some characters feeling like mere plot devices rather than fully realized people. This unevenness leads to a disconnect in viewer investment in their arcs.

Cozy Yet Conventional

Clea DuVall's direction captures the cozy essence of the holidays well, with a pretty straightforward visual style that enhances the film's warm, nostalgic feel. However, the pacing suffers from overindulgence in certain subplots, making sections feel unnecessarily drawn out. The cinematography does a decent job of showcasing the festive decor and intimate family interactions, but it lacks the flair to elevate the material beyond typical romcom fare. Moments that could have been visually striking often come off as standard or even stale.

Warmth with Uneven Pacing

Watching Happiest Season is akin to being wrapped in a warm blanket—there are moments of comfort, but also a lingering awareness of its flaws. The film certainly has its heart in the right place, but it struggles with pacing and overly predictable outcomes. Some sequences drag, leading to moments of genuine boredom, particularly when the film leans too heavily on clichéd scenarios instead of advancing character development. The emotional highs feel earned at times, but they’re often followed by awkward dips that stall momentum.