Happiest Season (2020)

Film and Plot Synopsis

Abby Holland and Harper Caldwell are a young lesbian couple who are living together. As Christmas approaches, Harper invites Abby to spend the holiday with her family. However, on the way to Harper’s family’s house, Harper reveals that she has never revealed her sexuality to her politically active parents and asks Abby to pretend to be her heterosexual roommate for the trip. Torn, Abby plays along but soon starts to question her relationship with Harper as she starts to learn more about the love of her life that she didn’t know.

‘Happiest Season’ Movie Summary

Abby Holland (Kristen Stewart) and Harper Caldwell (Mackenzie Davis) are a young lesbian couple who have recently moved in with each other in the months leading up to the Christmas holiday. They are very much in love with each other, with Abby having plans to propose to Harper soon. Abby dislikes Christmas as her deceased parents used to plan elaborate holiday celebrations, and the holiday simply reminds Abby of what she has lost. Harper wishes to change Abby’s viewpoint on Christmas and invites her to celebrate the holiday with her family in her hometown. Abby sees the positive in the suggestion as it would be the perfect opportunity to introduce herself to Harper’s family and to propose to Harper on Christmas morning.

However, Abby’s plans are thrown off track on the way to the Caldwell house. Harper reveals to Abby that she had lied to Abby previously when she told her that her parents were very supportive of her coming out and being in a relationship with Abby. Harper tells Abby that her parents do not know that she is gay. Harper explains that she was fearful that the announcement might interfere with her father’s mayoral campaign. Harper begs Abby to pretend to be her heterosexual roommate for the holiday and promises Abby that she will come out to her family after Christmas. Abby reluctantly agrees.

Once arriving at the Caldwells, Abby meets Harper’s father Ted (Victor Garber), mother Tipper (Mary Steenburgen), and her sister Jane (Mary Holland). The family welcomes Abby as Harper’s orphan friend who has nowhere else to go for Christmas. The family introduces Abby to everyone she meets with the information that her parents died. Abby and Harper are forced to sleep in two separate rooms with Abby’s room being the Caldwells’ storage room. Things turn more uncomfortable when the Caldwells invite Harper’s ex-boyfriend, Connor (Jake McDorman), to dinner with the family. At the dinner, Abby and Harper also see Harper’s ex-girlfriend, Riley Johnson (Aubrey Plaza), who Harper publicly humiliated during high school when she refused to acknowledge their relationship.

The next day, Harper’s eldest sister Sloane (Alison Brie) arrives with her husband Eric (Burl Moseley) and their two twin children, Magnus and Matilda (Anis N’Dobe and Asiyih N’Dobe). Sloane displays a highly competitive and perfectionist nature. Harper begins taking every opportunity to compete with Sloane in what appears to be some form of unhealthy sibling rivalry. Meanwhile, Jane seems constantly desperate to get the attention of her parents who perpetually minimize her accomplishments. Abby begins questioning how much she knows about her girlfriend when she sees Ted and Tipper’s high expectations and Harper’s transformative behavior around her family.

During the days leading up to Christmas, Ted is working to impress a possible donor from the city council, Harry Levin (Ana Gasteyer), to contribute to his campaign. Ted’s efforts are threatened after Abby is arrested for shoplifting from a local store when Sloane’s children place a necklace into her bag without Abby knowing. Now labeled as a criminal, Ted and Tipper request that Abby not attend any of the upcoming social events over the next few days, which Harper supports. Abby constantly calls her best friend John (Daniel Levy) back home to commiserate. John tells Abby that she should not pretend to be someone she is not and encourages her to return home. Abby begins hanging out with Riley who reveals that Harper has been hiding her sexuality from her family since high school. This knowledge causes Abby to continue to question how committed Harper is to their relationship. Not long after, Harper calls Abby and invites her to come out to a bar with some of her high school friends, including Connor. Abby asks to leave but Harper decides to stay with her friends. Once again, Abby calls John to complain.

On Christmas Eve, Tipper tasks Harper with running errands to help prepare for the Caldwells’ annual Christmas Eve party. Abby is left alone again and calls Riley to help her choose a white elephant gift for the party. Harper sees the two of them together and becomes jealous. At the party, Harper spends a lot of time talking to Connor which frustrates Abby. John shows up unexpectedly and pretends to be Abby’s ex-boyfriend. Abby decides to leave with John and tells Harper that their relationship is over. As Abby is packing her things, Harper pleads with Abby to stay and continue the façade. Harper tries to kiss Abby and Sloane walks in on them. Sloane runs off to tell her parents and Harper tries to stop her. Both sisters walk in on Eric kissing another one of the party guests, and Sloane reveals that she is getting a divorce but is waiting until after their father’s election to make it public. Both sisters run into the party to reveal their mutual secrets. When Sloane outs Harper as a lesbian, Harper denies it in front of Abby, John, and Riley.

Thank you for trying to get me to like Christmas. I love that you love it. I’m just so content taking care of other people’s pets when they’re away for the holiday. Abby Holland (Kristen Stewart)

Heartbroken, Abby leaves the house with John following her. The pair talk about their individual stories of coming out to their respective families. Abby’s parents accepted her announcement with love while John’s father kicked him out of the house and did not speak to him for thirteen years. John reminds Abby that a person coming out to their family can be a terrifying experience and because Harper is frightened to reveal her sexuality to her parents does not mean that she doesn’t love Abby.

As the party winds down, Harper realizes that her fear of revealing her sexuality has caused her to hurt both Abby and Riley and may cause her to lose Abby. Harper confesses to being gay to her family. Sloane stands with her sister and reveals that she and Eric are getting divorced. Jane also joins her sisters and tells her parents how she has felt neglected over the years. All three sisters inform their parents that they have been afraid to tell them the truth for fear of not being perceived as having perfect lives. Despite the revelation, Abby still leaves with John. Ted silently walks out of the room without saying a word.
Tipper finds Ted hiding in a pantry. She confronts him about the emotional pain that each of their daughters have experienced due to their parenting chances. They both wish to do better. At the same time, Harper goes after Abby and apologizes. Harper tells Abby how much that she loves her and wants to build a life with her. With encouragement from John, Abby forgives Harper and the couple kiss.

The next morning on Christmas Day, Ted apologizes to his daughters for making them feel they always must meet his standard of perfection. During the festivities, Ted receives a call from Harry who tells him that she will support him in his campaign only if Harper keeps her sexuality private. Ted rejects the offer. Tipper gathers everyone for the family picture, something she has failed to accomplish over the preceding days. Tipper invites Abby to be a part of the picture.

One year later, the Caldwells are once again gathering for the Christmas celebration. Abby and Harper are engaged and happy. Jane has become a bestselling author with her fantasy novel. Sloane and Eric appear to have worked out their differences and remain together. Despite the lack of the donor’s support, Ted has also won the mayoral election. On Christmas Eve, the entire family goes to movie theater to watch It’s A Wonderful Life.