The Land of Steady Habits

Anders Hill is navigating a challenging phase of life after his recent divorce from Helene Harris. Having retired early from his finance career, he struggles to adjust to his new reality. His adult son, Preston Harris, who battles substance abuse issues, resides at the family home with Helene. Although he graduated from Northwestern University and is now working as a reading specialist with his mother, their relationship is strained.

Despite engaging in casual affairs post-divorce, Anders still harbors feelings for Helene. At a Christmas party co-hosted by Helene and their neighbor, Sophie Ashford, Anders finds himself feeling disconnected. Seeking company, he steps outside and encounters Sophie’s son, Charlie Ashford, and his friends. After being persuaded to smoke from a bong, he faces shock when he realizes the marijuana is mixed with PCP, leading to Charlie’s overdose and subsequent hospitalization. In a surprising twist, he discovers that his therapist was also present at the party.

As the legal owner of the home left to Helene, Anders grapples with the reality of the mortgage, which he’s fallen six months behind on. This realization forces him to confront his finances, recognizing he cannot afford retirement while retaining the house. His search for financial help leads him to a friend who introduces him to Barbara at a strip club. The two quickly connect and share a cab afterward.

In a drunken state, Anders mistakenly enters his former home, upsetting Helene, Preston, and Helene’s boyfriend, Donny O’Neil. Tensions escalate further when Helene is forced to fire Preston for misconduct involving a student. Feeling the weight of Anders’ financial struggles, Preston confides in Helene, revealing that their father cannot manage the mortgage.

Not long after, Preston drops by Anders’ condo to share that he has a delivery job but has been kicked out by Helene. During a visit, Charlie asks Anders for help as he tries to escape rehab, asking him to care for his pet turtle. Although Anders initially contemplates contacting Charlie’s parents, they instead venture to Charlie’s hideout, where they indulge in drugs while Charlie discusses his graphic novel about Laika. Eventually, Anders decides to return Charlie home, but the boy ends up escaping again.

In a moment of desperation, Preston delivers wine to a former acquaintance and finds himself insulted. As he navigates car troubles and discovers a broken-down life, he considers taking drastic measures with a bottle of champagne. However, he opts to leave it in front of an oncoming train instead. In a tragic turn, he later discovers Charlie’s lifeless body concealed behind a tree.

The aftermath of Charlie’s death leads to Preston being welcomed back into Helene’s home. On Christmas Eve, when the families typically gather for dinner, Preston convinces Anders to join them. During the festivities, Anders admits to using drugs with Charlie, prompting Sophie to reveal her infidelity with Anders, which had been ongoing for two years. This shocking revelation ignites a confrontation, resulting in a physical altercation between Anders and Mitchell, who assaults Anders in an explosive moment of rage.

Months pass, and Helene has sold the family home while planning a wedding in Hawaii with Donny. Meanwhile, Preston has opted to pursue graduate studies in New York City and finds his own apartment. As for Anders, he finds a semblance of stability by continuing his relationship with Barbara and caring for Charlie’s turtle, embracing a newfound sense of normalcy in his retirement.

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 12:00