Not Your Typical Hallmark Holiday Special

Now that Halloween is over, Thanksgiving and Christmas are around the corner; it’s officially the holiday season. That means festive sweaters, large feasts, and my favorite holiday films. On Oct. 28, “Holidate” starring Emma Roberts was released as a Netflix holiday original. This film is definitely original.

Some people love a good Hallmark holiday special. You know, the cheesy romantic ones where it snows at the exact moment the main characters share their first kiss and the Christmas choir sings at the end? They may be classic, but they’re predictable and lack an edge.

“Holidate” is not a film to watch with the family, but it definitely is funny and festive. The movie also includes other holidays besides Thanksgiving and Christmas, so you can watch it year-round.

The film is one hour and 48 minutes of pure laughter. Almost-thirty-something Crass Sloane (Emma Roberts) is a character most women can identify with. She continues to show up stag to all of her family holiday get-togethers. Her overbearing mother calls her non-stop during her Zoom meetings and shames her for being single. Even Sloane’s 10-year-old niece has a “boyfriend,” and Sloane’s younger brother is engaged.

Crazy aunt Susan (Kristin Chenoweth) introduces Sloane to the concept of a Holidate: a person you bring as your date only for holidays— no strings attached. Aunt Susan had various interesting Holidates, like a mall Santa she brought home for Christmas dinner and a gas station Uncle Sam for the Fourth of July.

Sloane ends up trying out this little Holidate thing so she can avoid being lonely on holidays, as well as her mother. Sloane goes to the mall after Christmas to return last season’s 2XL pajamas to the mall that her cheap sister Abby (Jessica Capshaw) gave her. There she meets a dashing yet bothersome man with an Australian accent named Jackson. They hit it off and discuss how relationships during the holidays can be tragic. New Year’s rolls around and they're holidates, but they break things off until they cross paths again on Valentine’s day. Then it becomes a regular thing for every holiday, including St. Patrick’s, Cinco De Mayo, Mother’s Day, and Easter.

With Sloane's sarcastic woe-is-me attitude and Jackson’s playful banter, their relationship or lack thereof is funny to watch. On Mother’s Day, Sloane’s mom confronts Jackson and Sloane about their relationship. Sloane laughingly says, “This one’s for you,” as she and Jackson skip to the bathroom in the middle of brunch; the sexual innuendos just keep on coming.

Of course, there are some ridiculous occurrences like someone’s finger getting blown off with a firework and Abby giving Sloane four laxative pills instead of a hangover pill. I know that sounds gross, but it’s done in a comedic and simple way, so it’s slightly believable. As for utterly outrageous scenes, they smoke weed in the hospital and don't get in trouble.

The comedy in this holiday film was up to par; it was great seeing Roberts be so relatable yet hilarious. But of course, the holidate relationship between Jackson and Sloane develops, and they catch feelings—shocker. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I will spare the details; just know the romance is similar to Hallmark holiday specials. I’m not knocking the ending, though. It may be a little cheesy but in a way that makes fun of romance in holiday films.

“Holidate” is a hilarious adult comedy and definitely a Netflix favorite for me. Other TV critics were not so generous. It was rated 45% on Rotten Tomatoes, 6.1 out of 10 for IMBD, and (shocker) 0.5 out of 5 for Parent Previews. I’m no movie critic, but I must point out this film is not for children, so it makes sense that it would have a low parent rating. As for the others, they didn’t like that it was too much like a Hallmark movie with not enough comedy. However, if you enjoy movies with crude humor, relatable characters, and holiday festivities, you should give “Holidate” a watch.