The Holiday List

Iris Simpkins, London's society columnist, is crushed when Jasper Bloom's engagement is announced at the company Christmas party. She has been clinging to a fragile hope that they can still be together, despite his past cheating and current relationship. The moment leaves her feeling exposed and determined to reframe her life.

Iris and Amanda agree to swap homes for two weeks, with the swap set to begin the next day. Iris moves into Amanda's Los Angeles house, while Amanda returns to England. The plan offers a chance for both women to reassess their lives in new environments.

Amanda decides to return to Los Angeles the next day, hoping for practical grounding and closer contact with Graham. Iris settles into Amanda's large house, adjusting to the quiet of a different country and new surroundings. The swap shifts focus from planning to navigating new relationships.

That night, Iris's brother Graham arrives at Amanda's home after drinking and ends up kissing Amanda. She suggests they have sex, stepping into a complicated but tempting moment. The morning after, they part, but Amanda resolves to continue seeing Graham despite the risk.

Iris meets Arthur Abbott, Amanda's elderly neighbor and Oscar-winning screenwriter, during a dinner where she vents about Jasper. He offers a long list of classic films with strong female leads to help her become 'the leading lady of her own life.' The encounter plants seeds of inspiration for her personal journey.

Iris returns the kindness by helping Arthur prepare for the Writers Guild of America gala honoring him. They work together behind the scenes, deepening Iris's connection to film history and giving her a sense of purpose. The collaboration ties her heartbreak to a broader, celebratory moment in his career.

Iris forms a friendship with Miles, a colleague of Amanda's ex, who is dating aspiring actress Maggie. After Miles finds Maggie with another man, Iris and Miles connect over their shared relationship troubles. They share a meal together on Christmas Eve, strengthening their companionship.

Amanda and Graham's connection deepens as she discovers he is a widower with two young daughters, Sophie and Olivia. He reveals he hides his family life from new partners to avoid upheaval, explaining his cautious approach to relationships. The tension between past commitments and potential future grows more evident.

On the day of the gala, Maggie asks Miles to reconcile, but he refuses. At the same time, Jasper shows up at Amanda's, hoping to reignite their romance, but Iris discovers he is still engaged and throws him out. The day blends romantic tension with bittersweet resolutions.

During the gala, Arthur delivers a rousing speech that electrifies the room and validates his career achievements. Miles then asks Iris out for New Year's Eve and offers to travel to England so they can be together, a gesture she accepts with a kiss. The evening marks a turning point for Iris's outlook on romance.

Graham tells Amanda that he has fallen in love, but she says she does not return the sentiment. Nevertheless, they agree to try a long-distance relationship, hoping that time and distance won't ruin what they feel. The moment highlights their willingness to take a risk for a real connection.

As they head to the airport, Amanda breaks down crying for the first time in years. She runs back to the cottage to find Graham in tears as well, realizing they don't want to part. They decide to spend New Year's Eve together with Graham's two daughters, embracing the possibility of a future together.

On New Year's Eve, Iris, Amanda, Miles, Graham, Sophie, and Olivia gather at Graham's house to celebrate together. The scene caps a transformative Christmas period where each character negotiates love, loss, and the possibility of new beginnings. The shared moment cements the intertwined fates of the four main players.