Let’s get this out of the way at the top, “Holidate” isn’t going to break any rom-com rules. Actually, if you watch the trailer for the new Netflix film, it’s basically following every single rom-com trope. But yet, thanks to Emma Roberts leading the way, the film does have a certain charm to it that will likely help it become a huge success on the streaming service.
“Holidate” stars Roberts as a career-focused woman that is constantly being set-up for dates from her mom, pressuring her to settle down and get married to whatever doctor she meets next. But she doesn’t want this. So, what’s a girl to do? Find a platonic partner that has zero issues with just showing up to holidays and family events, without the pressure of potential attraction and/or love. Enter Luke Bracey, as her new holidate. (Yep, it’s a term the film really wants to make happen.) But as you might expect, given the rules of a rom-com, platonic friends (especially very attractive ones) never end up staying friends.
Joining Roberts and Bracey in the film’s cast are Andrew Bachelor, Jessica Capshaw, Manish Dayal, Alex Moffat, Jake Manley, Cynthy Wu, Frances Fisher, and Kristin Chenoweth. “Holidate” is directed by John Whitesell. The filmmaker is a decades-long veteran of TV series, but he’s also helmed quite a few films including comedies such as “Malibu’s Most Wanted” and “Big Momma’s House 2.”
“Holidate” proves it’s never too early to celebrate Christmas, as the film opens before Halloween, on October 28, only on Netflix. (Yes, it covers other holidays, but it’s ridiculous that this is clearly being positioned as a Christmas movie…in October, but I digress.) You can watch the trailer below.
Here’s the synopsis:
Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey) hate the holidays. They constantly find themselves single, sitting at the kids table, or stuck with awkward dates. But when these two strangers meet one particularly bad Christmas, they make a pact to be each other’s “holidate” for every festive occasion throughout the next year. With a mutual disdain for the holidays, and assuring themselves that they have no romantic interest in the other, they make the perfect team. However, as a year of absurd celebrations come to an end, Sloane and Jackson find that sharing everything they hate may just prove to be something they unexpectedly love.