Downhill 2020

As the camera gracefully sweeps across a stunning European alpine landscape, a family’s dream winter holiday begins to unfold. However, the tranquility is abruptly disrupted when two cylindrical protrusions burst forth from the snowy mountainside, accompanied by a thunderous boom and an unsettling rumble that sends shivers through the chilly air.

The Stanton family—comprising Pete, Billie, and their sons Finn and Emerson—eagerly anticipates crafting the perfect ski getaway moment. Clad in their gear, they attempt to decipher the bemusing instructions of a quirky local Austrian photographer, struggling through an array of awkward poses and futile attempts to understand his directions.

As the family grapples with their skiing skills on the slopes, they suddenly note the peculiar absence of other children in the vicinity. Yet, Pete finds his focus elsewhere, captivated by his friend Zach’s constant updates on social media, much to Billie’s amusement and slight annoyance.

Upon their arrival in the resort village, they are greeted by the cheerful Charlotte, who welcomes them with open arms and shares the enticing amenities available at the resort. She particularly highlights the notion of embracing one’s natural state in the sauna, a quirk that raises a few eyebrows, especially from Billie.

Once they settle into their charming hotel room, Pete becomes fixated on donning his father’s vintage ski hat in honor of his late parent for tomorrow’s skiing adventure. Billie provides warm encouragement as they prepare for a cozy family bed picnic, filled with room service and an impromptu dining experience.

Later, after Billie heads to the bathroom to freshen up, Pete indulges in some fries before joining her under the warm cascade of the shower. Quoting Charlotte’s mantra about celebrating one’s body, Pete’s excitement elicits playful giggles from Billie, showcasing the family’s quirky dynamics amid this picturesque winter landscape.

As the morning sun bathes the hotel room in warmth, Billie and Pete—who are practically toothbrush buddies—share a tender moment brushing their teeth, their faces just inches apart. The intimacy blooms in the silence before Billie pulls out her sticker collection, adorning each family member’s ski helmet with bright, mismatched stickers, making them stand out against the snowy backdrop.

When they finally hit the mountain trails, Finn takes off ahead, leaving his family behind. Pete calls out for him to slow down, but Finn is too caught up in the thrill of speed. Meanwhile, Emerson lags behind at a leisurely pace, prompting snickers about his “relaxed” skiing style. However, Pete steps in, showering Emerson with encouragement, reminding everyone that each person’s pace is different.

After refueling with soup and pastries at a bustling outdoor café, the family is startled by an echoing sound they’ve heard before—the ominous noise from the film’s start. This time, the unsettling rumble escalates into an avalanche, the impending doom spiraling toward the unsuspecting patrons. Chaos erupts as the crowd screams in fear, their cries swallowed by the roaring snowslide barreling toward them.

In the aftermath of the avalanche, the atmosphere in the restaurant grows heavy with anxiety and confusion. Billie, still clutching her sons, struggles to release her grasp, visibly shaken by the experience. Pete, on the other hand, attempts to dismiss the situation as he returns to their table, trying to downplay the tension around them by continuing the conversation as if nothing happened, which prompts uneasy glances from Billie and the boys.

At the rental shop later, Pete misdirects his frustration toward the attendant, a misguided effort to mask his unease. Unknowing to him, the drama he envisioned was never a real threat; it turned out to be more of a nightmare birthed from his imagination.

As Billie prepares for dinner, her tension simmers just beneath the surface. Each moment spent at the bathroom mirror feels like a reminder of their earlier tenderness, now overshadowed by an awkwardness that neither can articulate. Their stroll to the hotel restaurant is fraught; Pete’s awkward attempt at affection is rebuffed when Billie lets go of his hand, suggesting physical closeness has become unbearably uncomfortable.

Suddenly, Charlotte invites them to join her at her table, reminding them that despite everything, connections can still be made. Over dinner, Billie and Pete engage in lively banter with Charlotte. She shares her own liberated experiences, and the discussion turns to the avalanche incident. While Pete shrinks its significance, Charlotte recounts her children’s fears, while Pete reflects on his father’s recent death and their vacation to cope with grief. His father’s saying, “Every day is all we have,” becomes a resonating theme in Pete’s life.

Charlotte encourages the couple to file a formal complaint about the resort’s avalanche protocols. The next day, as they voice their grievances, the resort safety representative retorts that clear warnings are present, frustrating Billie, who reveals her profession as an attorney.

In the quiet of night, as they prepare for bed, the shift in intimacy is palpable. Their bathing ritual, once shared, has now become solitary, and despite being in the same space, they remain emotionally distant. Soon after, Billie falls asleep while Pete sends a text to Zach.

As dawn breaks, their sons waken them, reminding the parents they overslept and must scramble to prepare for their ski plans. The rush to catch a helicopter adds chaos to the already hectic day, with Pete insisting it will be an adventure worth the $2,000 he spent, while Billie hurriedly looks for snacks to keep the kids satisfied.

The event coordinator’s anxiety about potential bad weather heightens Billie’s doubts, culminating in a list of complications: hunger pangs, impending storms, and Emerson’s lost glove. With a sense of resignation, they watch the helicopter take off without them.

The following day, Billie proposes a quieter plan, suggesting they skip skiing. While she joins the boys by the fireplace for a card game, Pete secretly organizes a gathering with Zach and Rosie.

Zach and Rosie, a free-spirited couple in their thirties, embody a life of adventure—having explored countless countries without ties or plans to settle down. Pete is drawn to their carefreeness but brushes over a serious revelation about their close call during the avalanche. When Billie confronts Pete over the emotional toll of the avalanche, Pete’s attempts to dismiss its impact only widen the rift in their relationship.

When Billie learns from Finn and Emerson that Pete left them during the avalanche, anger and disappointment bubble over. Pete’s sarcastic attempts at humor fall flat, leading to a heated argument that pushes Billie to choose an evening alone with their sons.

The next day, Billie chooses to spend time apart from Pete, while in a letting go of old patterns, Charlotte arranges for the alluring Guglielmo, a charming ski instructor, to guide Billie on the slopes. It becomes evident that Charlotte has been orchestrating events, setting off a chain of consequences that challenge Billie’s relationships and sense of self.

Meanwhile, Zach and Emerson experience the joys of a family-friendly resort: characters in costumes and dazzling rides abound, igniting the question of why the group isn’t vacationing here instead. In contrast, Billie’s lesson takes a surprising turn when Guglielmo adds a splash of liquor to their coffee. Though she initially dismisses the need for guidance, he offers to ski alongside her.

As Zach, Emerson, and Pete embark on a sled ride, their joy quickly turns chaotic. Zach speeds away, prompting Emerson to plead for caution, but it only ends with Pete colliding into him—and a hilarious photo captures the moment, mirroring their mixed emotions.

At lunch, Pete tries to suggest activities for the day, but Zach and Emerson prefer the comforts of their hotel room, opting to indulge in some screens instead. In the meantime, Billie and Guglielmo share a passionate interlude in a cozy cabin, only to be interrupted by Billie’s realization that it’s time to return to skiing.

As the day unfolds, Billie becomes overwhelmed with emotion and seeks solace alone in a restroom. After a comedic mishap involving a collapsing door, she tries to vent her frustrations. Meanwhile, Pete and Billie reconnect later that evening, sharing their experiences, though tensions linger beneath the surface.

In the fading light of the resort, Pete finds solace amid the family’s movie night, uncertain of what lies ahead. He and Zach toast to a new day on the slopes but face the trials of fatherhood and self-discovery. As they hit the slopes, a nasty fall leaves Pete questioning his confidence, especially following the compliment from a beautiful woman nearby.

As Billie and her sons enjoy their skiing adventure, an encounter sparks a conversation that opens Billie’s eyes to Pete’s grief and difficulties. Meanwhile, a night out at the club leads Pete to come clean about his struggles, even as he navigates awkward interactions with strangers.

The following morning, he proposes one last skiing challenge—a descent down “the Beast,” a treacherous black diamond run. Anticipation hangs in the air as Billie, determined and resolute, decides to take on the run alone, leaving her family to wait below.

As concern creeps in and Pete goes searching for Billie, he finds her encircled by her abandoned ski gear, caught in a moment of self-reflection. Their attempt at heroics becomes a game that stirs admiration, reinforcing family bonds. Yet, as fate would have it, a snow chunk crashes down, startling them, leaving their newfound connection suspended in mid-air.