It's a controversial opinion, but here's the truth: finding love during the holiday season is like trying to catch a snowflake on your tongue - nearly impossible. Yet, in the enchanting world of Holidate, director John Whitesell and screenwriter Tiffany Paulsen have concocted a delightful romantic comedy that defies all odds.
This 2020 American film takes us on a rollercoaster ride of laughter, love, and unexpected connections.
So, buckle up and get ready to dive into the story of Holidate, where two strangers embark on a unique pact that promises to make every holiday a memorable one.

List of Chapters
- Introduction
- The Plot
- The Characters
- The Central Theme
- Key Moments
- The Romantic Aspect
- Comedic Elements
- Memorable Quotes
- Conclusion
Introduction
The movie Holidate was directed by John Whitesell. It is a romantic comedy film released in 2020. The film stars Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey, Kristin Chenoweth, Frances Fisher, and others. It was released on Netflix and was the top-streamed item in its debut weekend.
The Plot
The story of Holidate revolves around Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey), who meet in a clothing store's returns line and come up with a plan to save them both from the holiday season's pressures.
They decide to be each other's "holidate," a term they coin to describe a platonic date for each holiday throughout the year.
The two bond over their shared hatred of holidays and their love for Ryan Gosling.
As they continue to spend time together, Sloane and Jackson begin to develop feelings for each other. However, they both deny their feelings, and their relationship remains platonic. They continue to go on holidates together, including a disastrous Valentine's Day date and a wild Fourth of July party.
Eventually, Sloane and Jackson realize their true feelings for each other and confess their love. They kiss and officially become a couple. The film ends with them spending New Year's Eve together, having finally found love.
The Characters
The main characters in the movie "Holidate" (2020) are:
Character | Actor/Actress |
---|---|
Sloane | Emma Roberts |
Jackson | Luke Bracey |
Aunt Susan | Kristin Chenoweth |
Elaine | Frances Fisher |
Neil | Andrew Bachelor |
These are the key characters in the film, but there may be additional supporting characters as well.
The Central Theme
The central theme or concept of the movie "Holidate" is the idea of two people entering into a platonic arrangement to be each other's "holidates" for various celebrations throughout the year. The main character, Sloane, is tired of enduring family holidays and the pressure to find a romantic partner, so she agrees to be the "holidate" of a man named Jackson.
They decide to be each other's companions for holidays without any romantic or sexual expectations.
The movie explores their journey as they navigate their unconventional arrangement and develop a deeper connection.
It is a romantic comedy that combines humor, holiday festivities, and the exploration of non-traditional relationships.
Key Moments
Holidate is a romantic comedy movie that was released in 2020. Here are some key moments or scenes from the movie:
- Sloane's bad date: In the beginning of the movie, Sloane goes on a bad date with a guy who is obsessed with his cat.
- Sloane and Jackson's first meeting: Sloane and Jackson meet at a mall and bond over their mutual dislike of the holiday season.
- The Halloween party: Sloane and Jackson attend a Halloween party together and dress up as characters from Pretty Woman.
- Thanksgiving dinner: Sloane and Jackson spend Thanksgiving together with Sloane's family, where they pretend to be in a serious relationship to avoid questions from her family.
- The Christmas party: Sloane and Jackson attend a Christmas party together and get drunk, leading to some awkward moments.
- The New Year's Eve party: Sloane and Jackson attend a New Year's Eve party together and share a kiss at midnight.
The Romantic Aspect
The romantic aspect of the movie Holidate develops as follows:
- The film begins with Sloane arriving at her mother's on Christmas.
- Sloane and Jackson meet while standing in a returns line at a mall, one-upping each other about the miseries of being single during holidays.
- After meeting, they enter into a pact to be each other's "holidate" for all the major holidays, from Valentine's Day to Easter.
- As they spend more time together, they start to develop feelings for each other.
- The leads leverage their charms nicely, and there is real romance between them.
Comedic Elements
It is unclear whether there are any comedic elements in the movie Holidate. While some reviews describe it as a romantic comedy, others focus more on its raunchy or adult content. None of the sources specifically mention comedic elements or humor as a defining feature of the movie.
Therefore, it is difficult to determine whether the movie has comedic elements without watching it or finding more specific reviews that address this aspect.
Memorable Quotes
Here are some memorable quotes and dialogues from the movie Holidate:
- "Human beings aren't meant to be alone on the holidays. We actually need warmth, companionship and someone to drunk mock strangers with at parties". - Luke Bracey
- "He's just my holidate, you know someone I date just for the holiday. No commitment". - Sloane
- "Your Aunt Susan brought the mall Santa home and your nephew just pooped in the manger".
- "I could never date a professional clown".
- "When did Halloween go from dressing up like a princess to dressing up like a whore?" - Sloane
- "Okay, but just remember that the house gets fifty per cent".
- "By the way, your tits look exceptional in that dress". - Jackson
- "Yeah. It fills me with warm, delicious happiness". - Sloane
- "Netflix's new RomCom Holidate is not only hilarious, it has quite the dirty side -- which you can tell from these great quotes!"
The movie Holidate concludes with Sloane and Jackson getting together, as expected. Additionally, nearly everyone ends up with someone, including Aunt Susan who ends up with the man she met at the mall.
The movie ends with Sloane and Jackson kissing in front of a Christmas tree.

Final reflections and implications
So, you've just finished watching the movie Holidate, huh? Well, buckle up because I've got some thoughts that might just blow your mind. This romantic comedy may seem like your typical holiday flick, but let me tell you, there's more to it than meets the eye.
At first glance, Holidate appears to be your run-of-the-mill love story. We've got Sloane and Jackson, two singletons who decide to be each other's holidate for every festive occasion throughout the year. It's a cute concept, right? But as the movie unfolds, we start to question the very nature of their arrangement.
Sure, the chemistry between Sloane and Jackson is undeniable. They have their fair share of hilarious and heartwarming moments, making us root for their happily ever after. But here's the thing – why do they need a holidate in the first place? Are they truly incapable of finding love on their own? Or are they simply settling for each other out of convenience?
As the story progresses, we witness Sloane and Jackson navigate through a series of disastrous dates with other people. It's almost as if the universe is conspiring to keep them together. But is this fate or just a clever plot device? Are they truly meant to be, or are they merely victims of circumstance?
And let's not forget about the underlying message of the movie. Holidate challenges the notion that being single during the holidays is a curse. It encourages us to embrace our independence and find joy in our own company. But does this message get lost amidst the whirlwind romance between Sloane and Jackson? Are we so fixated on their love story that we forget the true meaning behind it all?
So, my dear reader, as you reflect on the rollercoaster ride that is Holidate, I leave you with these thought-provoking questions. Is love something we stumble upon or something we actively seek? Can a holidate truly lead to a lifelong connection? And most importantly, what does it mean to find love in a world that constantly tells us we need someone else to be complete?
As you ponder these ideas, remember that Holidate is more than just a feel-good holiday movie. It's a mirror that reflects our own desires, fears, and the complexities of modern love. So, grab a cup of hot cocoa, cozy up by the fire, and let the magic of this film continue to unravel in your mind.
Holidate starring Emma Roberts | Find Your Perfect Plus-One | Official Trailer | Netflix
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Links and references
Holidate explained / Understanding the ending and story - CO1 2020
Holidate / Alternative ending - CO1 2020
The Ultimate Guide to Finding Love on the Most Unconventional Holiday - CO1 2020
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