What Is The Plot Of Holidating?

If you’ve ever groaned at yet another aunt asking when you’ll 'settle down' at Thanksgiving, 'Holidating' is your revenge fantasy. Sloane and Jackson—both allergic to relationships—fake being a couple to survive the annual parade of holidays. Think Christmas tree disasters, drunk uncles, and forced mistletoe moments. The plot’s as comforting as reheated leftovers: you know exactly what’s coming, but it still hits the spot. Roberts and Bracey have this snappy, sarcastic dynamic that makes their slow burn delightful. The real MVP? The script’s self-awareness. It pokes fun at rom-com clichés while still delivering on them. By the time they fake-break up (you saw it coming), you’re weirdly invested in their very real-not-real love story. Great for when you want to roll your eyes and grin simultaneously.

'Holidating' is basically 'When Harry Met Sally' for the holiday-obsessed. Sloane and Jackson’s fake dating scheme spirals into a will-they-won’t-they across a year of themed parties. The plot’s fluff, but the actors sell it hard—Roberts’ eye rolls could power a small town, and Bracey’s grin should be patented as a serotonin booster. Standout scene: a disastrous Easter brunch where they ‘break up’ theatrically, only to realize the act feels too real. It’s the cinematic equivalent of a gingerbread latte: sugary, seasonal, and gone too fast.

Holidating is this hilarious romantic comedy that totally nails the awkwardness of single life during the holidays. Sloane, played by the brilliant Emma Roberts, and Jackson, brought to life by Luke Bracey, are two commitment-phobes who keep running into each other at various holiday events—Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's Day, you name it. They strike up this pact to be each other's plus-ones throughout the year just to dodge the 'why are you still single?' questions from family and friends. Of course, things get messy when real feelings start creeping in, and the chemistry between them is undeniable. The movie's packed with cringe-worthy family gatherings, over-the-top holiday decor, and those moments where you're just screaming at the screen for them to kiss already. It's like a cozy blanket of predictable yet satisfying rom-com tropes, perfect for a lazy December afternoon with hot cocoa.

What really got me was how relatable their dilemma felt—navigating societal pressure while trying to stay true to yourself. The supporting cast, especially Sloane's eccentric aunt, adds so much flavor. It’s not groundbreaking cinema, but it’s the kind of feel-good flick that makes you believe in holiday magic (and maybe, just maybe, dating). I ended up rewatching it twice last winter—once for the laughs, once to swoon over Jackson’s ridiculous charm.

The charm of 'Holidating' lies in its ridiculous yet weirdly plausible premise. Two strangers, sick of pitying looks at holiday parties, decide to be each other’s shields for a year. What starts as a transactional arrangement—help me dodge my mom’s matchmaking, I’ll pretend to laugh at your dad’s bad jokes—slowly unravels into something tender. The film’s strength is its pacing; each holiday segment (Halloween’s awkward costumes, Fourth of July’s drunken confessions) peels back layers of their defenses. Roberts shines as Sloane, especially in quieter moments where her vulnerability leaks through the sarcasm. Bracey’s Jackson, meanwhile, is the himbo with a heart—annoyingly perfect at baking pies and accidentally saying the right thing. It’s a love letter to seasonal tropes, from snowball fights to midnight countdown kisses, but with enough wit to feel fresh. I left it wanting my own holiday pact—and maybe a slice of that pumpkin pie.