What Is Holidate About?
The premise of Holidate in 342 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a world where every season brings a fresh wave of expectations, the holidays become a high‑stakes arena of family gatherings, social obligations, and relentless well‑meaning pressure to be coupled up. The film leans into the familiar frenzy of festive décor and awkward small talk, wrapping its comedic heart in the warm, glossy glow of holiday lights while letting the underlying anxiety of being single shine through. Its tone balances witty sarcasm with an earnest yearning for connection, inviting the audience to laugh at the absurdity of tradition while feeling a genuine sting of relatability.
Sloane Benson is on the cusp of her thirties, a sharp‑tongued, career‑focused woman whose love‑life has stalled just as the calendar reaches the most “pair‑up‑or‑else” part of the year. Surrounded by a family that views the season as a litmus test for romance, she navigates holiday dinner tables and well‑intentioned matchmaking with a blend of exhaustion and dry humor. Her internal monologue reveals a yearning for freedom from the unspoken rule that everyone must be paired, even as she secretly craves a genuine connection that isn’t forced.
Across town, Jackson is an easy‑going Australian golfer whose laid‑back personality masks a similar dread of holiday obligations. He finds himself stuck in a date he doesn’t care for, a situation that mirrors Sloane’s own familial pressures. When the two strangers cross paths while disposing of unwanted gifts, they discover a shared inclination to sidestep the season’s romance‑driven expectations. The spark of an idea—becoming each other’s “holidate” for a year—offers a clever loophole: they can attend parties and navigate seasonal rituals together, all while keeping emotions at arm’s length.
The arrangement sets the stage for a series of increasingly quirky holiday encounters, from festive parties to intimate family moments, each offering a playful canvas for their chemistry to surface. As they glide through the calendar, the film teases the possibility that a partnership born of convenience might blossom into something far more unexpected, all wrapped in a light‑hearted, feel‑good romance that celebrates the chaos and charm of the holiday season.
What Happens in Holidate?
The complete story of Holidate, from the first scene to the last, in 503 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 9 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Almost in her thirties, Sloane Benson (Emma Roberts) finds herself dreading the holiday season, primarily due to the relentless judgment she faces from her family for being single. After experiencing a recent breakup, her mother, Elaine (Frances Fisher), relentlessly attempts to set her up with new suitors, much to Sloane’s irritation.
During a Christmas dinner hosted by her family, Sloane’s younger brother, York (Jake Manley), gets engaged to Liz (Cynthy Wu), his girlfriend of just three months, leaving Sloane as the only unmarried individual at the gathering. In another part of town, Jackson (Luke Bracey), an Australian golfer, finds himself spending the holidays with a date he has no real interest in. When his date becomes frustrated over the lack of Christmas gifts, which they had mutually decided to forgo, Jackson leaves her in a state of anger.
After the holiday, fate intervenes when Sloane and Jackson cross paths while returning unwanted gifts. Jackson proposes a unique idea: they should become Holidates, only seeing each other for holiday events to escape the burden of clingy partners. After some initial hesitation, Sloane agrees, and they share New Year’s Eve together, only to part ways again without further communication.
Valentine’s Day brings them together once more, this time with Jackson pretending to be Sloane’s boyfriend when they encounter her ex and his glamorous new partner. Their friendship blossoms as they continue to meet during various holidays. However, complications arise when, after a mishap during a July 4 celebration where Jackson loses a finger, he begins to doubt his worthiness as a partner for Sloane. In an effort to push her towards someone “better,” he sets her up on a date, resulting in a heated argument at her brother’s wedding where their respective dates get involved with each other.
Their relationship hits another bump at a Halloween party when Sloane unwittingly consumes laxatives, leading to Jackson caring for her until they end up spending the night together. The following morning brings chaos as Sloane’s married sister arrives and mistakenly assumes something inappropriate has happened, prompting Sloane to shove Jackson away, much to his chagrin.
Thanksgiving sees tensions rise once again when Jackson shares his feelings with Sloane. Their back-and-forth culminates in Sloane’s comment about Ryan Gosling while shopping, leading to an argument that ends with them breaking off contact.
As Christmas approaches, Sloane visits Jackson but falters when it comes to expressing her feelings. A serendipitous meetup at the mall presents her with one last chance, and amid a crowd, she boldly confesses her love for him. Their emotional reunion finalizes in a heartfelt embrace.
In the end credits, we see that all couples remain together. Not only are Sloane and Jackson off to Australia for the holidays, but Aunt Susan (Kristin Chenoweth) is officially engaged to Faarooq (Manish Dayal), while Wally (Alex Moffat) and Sloane’s mother are dating, alongside Neil (Andrew Bachelor) and Carly’s Mom (Meeghan Holaway). The story wraps with a sense of connection and love, showing that the holidays indeed bring people closer.
Holidate Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Sloane's Frustration with Holidays” to “Future Prospects”. 13 events name a place, across 13 locations.
- 1
Sloane's Frustration with Holidays
Sloane Benson, a woman in her thirties, dreads the holiday season due to the constant judgment she faces about her single status from her family. After breaking up with her boyfriend, she finds herself as the only single person left, heightening her annoyance with family gatherings.
When:During Christmas Season Where:Sloane's Family Home
- 2
York's Engagement
During a family Christmas dinner, Sloane's younger brother York announces his engagement to Liz, his girlfriend of just three months. This creates additional pressure on Sloane as she feels even more isolated and judged for being single in a family celebrating love and commitment.
When:Christmas Dinner Where:Family Dinner
- 3
Jackson's Holiday Dilemma
Meanwhile, Jackson, an Australian golfer, finds himself spending the holidays with a woman he has no attraction to and her unsupportive parents. In a moment of frustration, after a gift-related argument, he leaves, feeling trapped and disillusioned with the holiday spirit.
When:Christmas Season Where:Unspecified Location
- 4
Meeting at the Return Counter
Sloane and Jackson's paths cross unexpectedly when they are both returning unwanted Christmas gifts. Jackson proposes an unconventional solution to their single-status woes by suggesting they become 'Holidates', only seeing each other during holidays to avoid clingy relationships.
When:After Christmas Where:Department Store
- 5
New Year's Eve Together
Despite her initial reluctance, Sloane agrees to the Holidate pact and they spend New Year's Eve together. The night is enjoyable, but afterward, they part ways without maintaining any contact, leaving both intrigued but uncertain about each other.
When:New Year's Eve Where:New Year Party
- 6
A Valentine's Day Reunion
On Valentine's Day, Sloane and Jackson run into each other again. To help Sloane save face from her ex and his new girlfriend, Jackson pretends to be her boyfriend, and this sparks a friendship that begins to grow over the next few holidays.
When:Valentine's Day Where:Local Café
- 7
4th of July Incident
The two grow closer over the summer festivities when Jackson suffers a severe accident losing a finger during their 4th of July celebrations. This incident causes a deeper bond to form between Sloane and Jackson, but Jackson begins to doubt his worthiness as her partner.
When:July 4th Where:4th of July Barbecue
- 8
Conflict at the Wedding
At Sloane's brother's wedding, tensions arise when Jackson, feeling insecure about their relationship, attempts to help Sloane find a 'better' date. This misguided act leads to a public argument that culminates in both of their dates ending up together, intensifying the drama.
When:During the Wedding Reception Where:Wedding Venue
- 9
Halloween Mishap
During a Halloween costume party, Sloane unknowingly ingests laxatives and ends up feeling ill. Jackson stays by her side to take care of her, and they end up sleeping together after a vulnerable moment, complicating their relationship further.
When:Halloween Night Where:Halloween Party
- 10
Thanksgiving Fight
On Thanksgiving, Jackson opens up about his feelings for Sloane, but she reacts poorly, leading to a harsh argument. This disagreement causes a rift between them, resulting in both deciding to cut off contact as they reevaluate their emotions.
When:Thanksgiving Day Where:Thanksgiving Gathering
Show the other 3 events of Holidate Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Timid Visit to Jackson's Place
As Christmas approaches, Sloane struggles with her nerves and misses an opportunity to talk to Jackson when she visits his place. Her fear of revealing her true feelings leaves her feeling isolated and regretful as she heads into the holiday season.
When:Days Leading to Christmas Where:Jackson's Place
- 12
Final Confrontation
While shopping at the mall, Sloane encounters Jackson again, and in front of a crowd, she finds the courage to confess her love for him. This heartfelt admission leads to a romantic embrace that signifies a new chapter in their relationship.
When:Days Before Christmas Where:Shopping Mall
- 13
Future Prospects
As the end credits roll, it is revealed that all the couples from the film remain together. Sloane and Jackson are set to travel to Australia for the holidays, implying a bright future ahead for their relationship, alongside other couples reveling in love.
When:Post-Christmas Where:Various Locations
Who Are the Main Characters in Holidate?
3 characters, among them Sloane Benson (Emma Roberts), Jackson (Luke Bracey) and Elaine (Frances Fisher): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Sloane Benson (Emma Roberts)
Played by Emma Roberts
Sloane is a relatable character grappling with the pressures of family expectations regarding relationships. Her journey highlights her initial annoyance with being single and evolves into a deeper understanding of love and self-worth. Through her interactions with Jackson, she learns to embrace her feelings amidst the chaos of the holidays.
- 👩❤️👨 Romantic
- 🎭 Struggle
- 🔄 Growth
-
Jackson (Luke Bracey)
Played by Luke Bracey
Jackson is portrayed as a laid-back Australian golfer who becomes an unexpected partner for Sloane. He embodies a mix of charm and vulnerability as he navigates his feelings for Sloane. His character experiences growth as he confronts insecurities, particularly about being good enough for Sloane.
- 🏌️♂️ Adventurous
- ❤️ Vulnerable
- 🎉 Charming
-
Elaine (Frances Fisher)
Played by Frances Fisher
Elaine, Sloane's mother, represents the traditional pressure placed on her daughter to find love. Her well-meaning attempts to set up Sloane with eligible bachelors highlight societal norms regarding relationships. Elaine's character showcases the generational differences in perceptions of love and family.
- 👩👧 Family
- 🎭 Pressure
- 💔 Well-meaning
Where and When Is Holidate Set?
Holidate is set in Australia, Christmas Dinner and various Holiday locations (Contemporary). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Contemporary
Set in the present day, the film navigates modern dating challenges during holiday seasons. It reflects contemporary family dynamics, social pressures, and the evolving nature of relationships during festive occasions. Key holidays like Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Thanksgiving play a pivotal role in the story.
Where
Australia, Christmas Dinner, various Holiday locations
The movie features various holiday locations, including a festive Christmas dinner where family dynamics are explored. It also highlights Australia, where Jackson hails from, and serves as a backdrop for the final romantic getaway. These settings are central to the unfolding relationships and holiday spirit throughout the film.
- 🎄 Holiday
- 🌏 Travel
What Are the Themes of Holidate?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Love, Holidays and Singlehood.
-
01
Love
The narrative revolves around the journey of Sloane and Jackson as they navigate their feelings for each other. Their evolving relationship captures the essence of love found unexpectedly during holiday seasons. It explores the intricacies of vulnerability and connection amidst familial pressures.
-
02
Holidays
Holidays serve as a backdrop for character interactions and growth, showcasing both the joy and pressure they bring. The characters experience moments of celebration and conflict, emphasizing the juxtaposition of love and familial expectations. Each holiday represents a step in Sloane and Jackson's blossoming romance.
-
03
Singlehood
Sloane's struggle with being single and the judgments she faces from her family highlight the societal pressure to couple up, particularly during holidays. The movie reflects on the challenges and stigma associated with singlehood, pushing the narrative to explore self-acceptance and the complexities of modern relationships.
What Kind of Film Is Holidate?
Light in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A light-hearted and consistently paced romantic comedy that chronicles a year of chaotic, awkward holiday dates, ultimately delivering a warm and festive feel-good resolution.
- frustrated
- festive
- comfy
- uplifting
- awkward
- heartwarming
- fake relationship
- holiday romance
- family pressure
- single life
Quiz
How well do you remember Holidate? Test yourself on the story.
Where to Watch Holidate
Stream it on Netflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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