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Characters & Themes

Holidate (2020) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 104 min · English
Echo score 65
JustWatch #27,498 1
Directed by
John Whitesell
Starring
Mikaela Hoover, Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey, Frances Fisher, Alex Moffat, Andrew Bachelor

Two strangers, Sloane and Jackson, despise the holidays and the pressure to be in a relationship during those times. To avoid unwanted family gatherings and awkward encounters, they make a deal to be each other's "holidate" for a year. This arrangement, initially devoid of romantic intention, sees them attending festive events as a couple. As the year progresses and they navigate increasingly absurd holiday situations, an unexpected connection begins to develop, potentially leading them to find something they didn't anticipate.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Holidate
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Holidate (2020)

Where can you watch Holidate? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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3 main characters · contains spoilers

Holidate Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Holidate (2020), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Sloane Benson (Emma Roberts)

    Sloane is a relatable character grappling with the pressures of family expectations regarding relationships. Her journey highlights her initial annoyance with being single and evolves into a deeper understanding of love and self-worth. Through her interactions with Jackson, she learns to embrace her feelings amidst the chaos of the holidays.

    • 👩‍❤️‍👨 Romantic
    • 🎭 Struggle
    • 🔄 Growth
  • Jackson (Luke Bracey)

    Jackson is portrayed as a laid-back Australian golfer who becomes an unexpected partner for Sloane. He embodies a mix of charm and vulnerability as he navigates his feelings for Sloane. His character experiences growth as he confronts insecurities, particularly about being good enough for Sloane.

    • 🏌️‍♂️ Adventurous
    • ❤️ Vulnerable
    • 🎉 Charming
  • Elaine (Frances Fisher)

    Elaine, Sloane's mother, represents the traditional pressure placed on her daughter to find love. Her well-meaning attempts to set up Sloane with eligible bachelors highlight societal norms regarding relationships. Elaine's character showcases the generational differences in perceptions of love and family.

    • 👩‍👧 Family
    • 🎭 Pressure
    • 💔 Well-meaning

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:44

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Setting

Where and When Does Holidate Take Place?

The setting of Holidate (2020): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Contemporary

Set in the present day, the film navigates modern dating challenges during holiday seasons. It reflects contemporary family dynamics, social pressures, and the evolving nature of relationships during festive occasions. Key holidays like Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Thanksgiving play a pivotal role in the story.

Location

Australia, Christmas Dinner, various Holiday locations

The movie features various holiday locations, including a festive Christmas dinner where family dynamics are explored. It also highlights Australia, where Jackson hails from, and serves as a backdrop for the final romantic getaway. These settings are central to the unfolding relationships and holiday spirit throughout the film.

  • 🎄 Holiday
  • 🌏 Travel

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:44

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3 major themes

Holidate Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Holidate (2020) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Love

    The narrative revolves around the journey of Sloane and Jackson as they navigate their feelings for each other. Their evolving relationship captures the essence of love found unexpectedly during holiday seasons. It explores the intricacies of vulnerability and connection amidst familial pressures.

  • Holidays

    Holidays serve as a backdrop for character interactions and growth, showcasing both the joy and pressure they bring. The characters experience moments of celebration and conflict, emphasizing the juxtaposition of love and familial expectations. Each holiday represents a step in Sloane and Jackson's blossoming romance.

  • Singlehood

    Sloane's struggle with being single and the judgments she faces from her family highlight the societal pressure to couple up, particularly during holidays. The movie reflects on the challenges and stigma associated with singlehood, pushing the narrative to explore self-acceptance and the complexities of modern relationships.

Last updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:44

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Character & theme questions

Holidate Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Holidate (2020): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Holidate set?

Holidate takes place across various holiday locations throughout the United States, with a significant trip to Australia serving as the backdrop for the final romantic getaway. The film also features a Christmas dinner scene as a key family setting.

  • setting
  • locations
  • australia
  • christmas dinner
  • holiday locations
Q2

What time period is Holidate set in?

Holidate is set in contemporary present-day America, following a full calendar year as the characters navigate modern dating challenges during major holiday seasons including Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Thanksgiving.

  • contemporary
  • present day
  • holidays
  • modern dating
  • 2020
Q3

Why is Australia significant in Holidate?

Australia is significant because Jackson, Sloane's love interest, hails from Australia. The country serves as the setting for the couple's final romantic getaway, representing a deeper connection and their relationship's evolution beyond the holiday arrangements.

  • australia
  • jackson
  • romantic getaway
  • backstory
Q4

What is the main theme of Holidate?

The main theme of Holidate centers on finding love unexpectedly during holiday seasons. The narrative explores how an arrangement made purely for convenience gradually evolves into genuine romantic connection, capturing the essence of vulnerability and authentic connection amidst familial pressures.

  • love
  • romance
  • unexpected love
  • connection
  • vulnerability
Q5

How does Holidate address singlehood and family pressure?

Holidate addresses singlehood by highlighting the societal pressure and stigma faced by Sloane, particularly during holidays. Her mother's well-meaning attempts to set her up with eligible bachelors represent traditional expectations to couple up, while the movie explores the challenges of self-acceptance in the face of such familial pressure.

  • singlehood
  • family pressure
  • relationships
  • social expectations
  • single
Q6

What role do holidays play in Holidate?

Holidays serve as the structural backbone and emotional backdrop for the entire film. Each major holiday, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, acts as a plot beat that advances Sloane and Jackson's relationship while showcasing both the joy and pressure that festive occasions bring to modern relationships.

  • holidays
  • christmas
  • valentines day
  • thanksgiving
  • celebration
Q7

Who is Sloane Benson in Holidate?

Sloane Benson, played by Emma Roberts, is the film's protagonist who grapples with family expectations regarding relationships. She initially feels annoyed by the pressure to be in a relationship but evolves to embrace her feelings and develop self-worth through her unexpected connection with Jackson.

  • sloane benson
  • emma roberts
  • protagonist
  • main character
Q8

Who is Jackson in Holidate?

Jackson, played by Luke Bracey, is a laid-back Australian golfer who becomes Sloane's holidate. He brings charm and vulnerability to the story, experiencing personal growth as he confronts insecurities about being good enough for Sloane throughout their year-long arrangement.

  • jackson
  • luke bracey
  • australian golfer
  • love interest
Q9

Who is Elaine and what is her role in Holidate?

Elaine, played by Frances Fisher, is Sloane's mother who represents traditional societal pressure placed on her daughter to find love. Her well-meaning attempts to set up Sloane with eligible bachelors highlight generational differences in perceptions of love and family expectations.

  • elaine
  • mother
  • sloane's mother
  • family pressure
  • generation
Q10

What message does Holidate convey about finding love?

Holidate conveys that love can emerge unexpectedly from convenience-based arrangements when both parties allow themselves to be vulnerable. The film suggests that authentic connection often develops when people stop forcing relationships and allow genuine feelings to surface naturally.

  • message
  • love story
  • romantic comedy
  • unexpected romance
  • connection

Movie threads

More Movies Like Holidate, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Holidate tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Fake Relationship Movies Like Holidate

Stories where a practical arrangement unravels into genuine feelings. If you enjoyed the 'fake dating' trope in Holidate, explore more movies like it. This collection features romantic comedies and light dramas where characters start with a practical arrangement—be it as holidates, fake fiancés, or marriage contracts—and find themselves on a journey toward authentic love, filled with comedic mishaps and heartwarming realizations.

  • awkward
  • heartwarming
  • playful
  • romantic
  • uplifting
  • comfy
  • Tone: light, humorous, heartwarming
  • Pacing: steady, episodic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a structured progression: a deal is struck for mutual benefit, leading to a series of shared events that test the arrangement. Initial disdain or indifference gives way to camaraderie, then deeper affection, culminating in a crisis where the 'fake' nature of the relationship is exposed, forcing a choice between the safety of the deal and the risk of real love.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared 'contract-to-love' plot structure. They consistently blend light comedy with a steady, predictable romantic arc, creating a comforting viewing experience where the focus is on the 'how' and 'when' of the characters falling in love, rather than 'if'.

Holiday Romance Comedies Similar to Holidate

Lighthearted love stories set against a backdrop of chaotic holiday celebrations. For viewers who liked the festive, year-long journey of Holidate, this section features similar movies that use holidays as a narrative engine. These films are light, upbeat rom-coms filled with seasonal cheer, family gatherings, and the predictable but delightful tension that leads to a happy, heartwarming ending perfect for a cozy watch.

  • festive
  • uplifting
  • heartwarming
  • comfy
  • silly
  • romantic
  • Tone: festive, uplifting, light
  • Pacing: steady, holiday-paced
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative is often episodic, using holidays as natural chapter breaks to advance the central relationship. The tone is consistently light, using holiday-specific traditions and family pressures as sources of both comedy and character growth. The conflict is generally low-stakes social anxiety or romantic misunderstanding, resolved neatly by the final celebration.

Why they belong together: These movies share a specific vibe: the combination of romantic comedy conventions with the warm, familiar aesthetics of holidays. The pacing is steady, the emotional weight is light, and the experience is designed to be uplifting and comfortably predictable, like a favorite seasonal tradition.

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Movies Like Holidate

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Every angle

Holidate (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Holidate in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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