Directed by
Johnnie To
Made by
China Lion
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Office (2015). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
In the opening scene, we find Josh Parker (Jason Bateman](/actor/jason-bateman)), the Chief Technical Officer at Zenotek, in the midst of finalizing his divorce. As he arrives at the office, we are introduced to his coworkers: Mary (Kate McKinnon), the uptight Human Resources Administrator; Meghan (Jamie Chung), who tends to keep her top unbuttoned; Jeremy (Rob Corddry), the office grouch; Alison (Vanessa Bayer), a woman recently single after her husband’s betrayal; and Nate (Karan Soni), who fakes having a girlfriend to avoid unwanted attention.
Josh makes his way to a meeting with Tracy Hughes (Olivia Munn), a colleague who is developing a promising software program. There is palpable chemistry between them, but Josh lacks the courage to act on it. After work, Josh and his friend Clay Vanstone (T.J. Miller), the branch manager, set off for some Christmas shopping. As they pass the iconic Clark Street Bridge, Clay playfully speculates about the speed required to jump it, which signals a foreshadowing of reckless antics to come. They share some lighthearted moments in a department store, culminating in Clay accidentally toppling a Christmas tree in the lobby.
Meanwhile, Alison is conversing with Fred (Randall Park), an awkward accountant, just before the no-nonsense CEO and Clay’s sister, Carol (Jennifer Aniston), storms into the office. Known as ‘the Dragon Lady’, she antagonizes the team by dismissively removing Christmas decorations and announces the company’s declining sales, leading to branch closures. Amidst the tensions, Tracy proposes her software program designed to provide users access to the internet universally. However, Carol crushes the festive spirit by rejecting the idea of a holiday party, branding it a waste of funds and instructing Clay to call it off.
Clay, visibly upset, retreats to vent in his office with Josh and Carol. Their sibling rivalry is evident, with Carol bitter over their father’s decision to pass the company leadership to Clay instead of her. In a surprising turn, Carol offers Josh a lucrative position in New York, promising double the salary, which puts him in a moral dilemma about abandoning Clay.
As the party begins later on, Josh employs the steadfast security guard Carla (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) to keep the festivities under control, while Joel (Sam Richardson) takes on the role of DJ. Meanwhile, Nate, anxious to appear desirable, bribes an escort named Savannah (Abbey Lee) and struggles with his own complicated engagement with her as chaos unfolds in the form of escalating party antics.
As the night progresses, Walter, initially disinterested, unexpectedly begins to bond with Clay and the team. However, just as spirits lift, quirky encounters lead to unexpected complications, including an impromptu performance by Josh and Tracy dressed as oversized snowmen, and scenes that push comedic boundaries as their office camaraderie is tested.
In a dramatic twist, a citywide internet outage occurs after an erratic accident, which places everyone’s jobs at risk. Determined to save their positions, Josh, Tracy, and Mary urgently rally together utilizing Tracy’s software to restore connections. In an unexpected resolution, amidst reconciliations and realizations, Josh and Tracy finally share a kiss, and Nate and Alison find a budding romance, while Carol and Clay mend their fractured relationship.
As they head to the hospital for a reunion breakfast, they plan to celebrate with drinks, despite the doctor’s strict warnings against alcohol for Clay, signaling that the chaotic night has unexpectedly culminated in newfound connections and an endearing holiday spirit.
Follow the complete movie timeline of Office (2015) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Josh Finalizes His Divorce
The movie opens with Josh Parker dealing with the stress of finalizing his divorce. As he navigates this personal turmoil, he heads to his workplace at Zenotek, setting the stage for the unfolding events.
Introduction to Colleagues
Upon arriving at work, Josh is introduced to his diverse and quirky team. He interacts with Mary, the HR Administrator, Jeremy the grumpy coworker, Alison who’s struggling with her own heartbreak, and Nate who pretends to have a girlfriend to evade harassment.
Chemistry with Tracy
Josh meets his coworker Tracy, who is developing a new software program. Their chemistry is palpable, yet Josh hesitates to act on it due to his recent breakup, revealing his lingering emotional scars.
Christmas Shopping Shenanigans
Josh and his boss Clay leave work to shop for office Christmas gifts. In a playful moment, they daydream about driving fast enough to jump the Clark Street Bridge, showcasing their lighthearted camaraderie amidst workplace stress.
Carol the Dragon Lady Arrives
The company's CEO, Carol, bursts in, reminding everyone of their dwindling sales, which creates an atmosphere of fear and anxiety. She cancels any plans for Christmas parties, insisting that they need to focus on saving jobs instead.
Pitching to Walter Davis
Josh, Clay, and Tracy meet with potential client Walter Davis, hoping to secure a deal that will save their jobs. Despite their efforts to impress him, Walter expresses disinterest in the corporate culture at Zenotek, leaving them in despair.
Secret Christmas Party Plan
In a desperate attempt to impress Walter, Josh and his team decide to throw an unauthorized Christmas party. They hastily prepare for the celebration, believing it might show Walter a more personal side of their company.
Party Mayhem Begins
As the Christmas party kicks off, chaos ensues. Josh enlists security guard Carla to maintain order while Nate, wanting to impress, hires an escort. The antics escalate when Clay reveals he’s used a large amount of his savings as bonuses for everyone.
Unexpected Drug Incident
During the party, a bag of cocaine accidentally gets thrown into the snow machine, leading to a highly awkward moment for Walter. This mishap compounds the chaos and adds to the pressure of making a good impression.
Walter's Change of Heart
Despite the chaos, Walter begins to enjoy the genuine atmosphere created by the team. A pivotal moment occurs when he unexpectedly declares his love for Zenotek, signaling a potential partnership.
Carol's Return and Realizations
Carol returns unexpectedly after her flight is canceled and discovers the party in full swing. Initially furious, she realizes the team's efforts have culminated in closing a deal with Walter, which could save their jobs.
Climactic Crash
In a reckless moment, Clay attempts to jump over the Clark Street Bridge, resulting in a crash. The impact leads to a city-wide internet outage, putting their jobs—and lives—at risk yet again.
Team Restoration Mission
With Clay hospitalized, Josh, Tracy, and Mary race against time to restore the company's service and save their jobs. Using Tracy's program, they successfully reconnect to the internet, ensuring their survival.
Resolutions and Connections
The aftermath of the party brings unexpected connections among coworkers, leading to new relationships. Josh and Tracy share a kiss, while Nate and Alison find common ground after their own night of escapades.
Celebration of Survival
The team gathers to celebrate their survival after a tumultuous night. They plan to enjoy breakfast together—despite the doctor’s warning to Clay—vowing to embrace the holidays fully, united by their shared trials.
Explore all characters from Office (2015). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Josh Parker (Jason Bateman)
Josh is the Chief Technical Officer at Zenotek, juggling personal challenges stemming from his recent divorce while trying to navigate workplace dynamics. He experiences internal conflict about a job offer and has unresolved feelings for his coworker Tracy.
Clay Vanstone (T.J. Miller)
Clay is the branch manager who brings humor and fun to the workplace but struggles with pressure from higher management. He deeply cares for his employees and wants to ensure their job security while dealing with personal demons.
Carol (Jennifer Aniston)
As the CEO of Zenotek, Carol has a no-nonsense attitude and is often seen as the antagonist by her employees. She struggles with the nepotism of holding a position given by her father and is determined to steer the company towards profitability.
Tracy Hughes (Olivia Munn)
Tracy is a talented coworker who is developing a new software program for the company. She shares chemistry with Josh but is also career-focused, showcasing the balance between personal and professional aspirations.
Learn where and when Office (2015) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
Contemporary
The movie is set in the present day, reflecting current corporate environments and the impact of technology on everyday life. It captures modern workplace dynamics, relationships, and the pressures of the holiday season combined with job insecurity.
Location
Zenotek, Clark Street Bridge, New York
Zenotek is an IT company where the main characters work, known for its corporate culture and office dynamics. The story also features the iconic Clark Street Bridge, which symbolizes the reckless decisions made by the characters during a critical moment. The journey through New York highlights the challenges and camaraderie experienced in urban life.
Discover the main themes in Office (2015). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
🎄
Holiday Spirit
The film revolves around the holiday season and the chaos that ensues during an office Christmas party. It explores themes of camaraderie, the spirit of giving, and the significance of workplace relationships in times of crisis.
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Corporate Culture
The dynamics of a corporate environment are portrayed in the film, highlighting the challenges employees face under management pressures. The film critiques corporate culture and its impacts on personal relationships and job security.
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Divorce and Relationships
The lead character, Josh, navigates the aftermath of his divorce while trying to build connections with his coworkers. The theme of love and relationships is central to the story as characters deal with personal struggles alongside workplace challenges.
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