5 Years Later, I’m Still Mad About This Christmas Movie’s Ending

by

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! The familiar charm of Hallmark Christmas movies is back, and people are excited to revisit their favorite holiday films – whether they feature Santa or not. Many of us have special movie traditions for Christmas and Christmas Eve that become more cherished with each passing year, no matter how critically acclaimed (or not) the movies may be.

It’s time to revisit beloved Christmas classics like Love Actually, Home Alone, Die Hard, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Holiday, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and It’s A Wonderful Life. These films remain popular year after year because of their heartwarming stories and ability to capture the real meaning of the holidays.

If you enjoy newer movies, you’ve probably noticed some great Christmas films released in the last ten years. While classic Christmas movies sometimes lack diverse representation, these recent films often offer a fresh perspective and cater to a wider range of viewers. No matter your preferences, Happiest Season is definitely worth watching.

Abby And Harper Should Have Broken Up In Happiest Season’s Ending

Clea Duvall created a truly special and often overlooked Christmas romance film by pairing Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis as a couple facing difficulties during the holidays. They portray Abby and Harper, who are spending Christmas with Harper’s parents, but there’s a significant and upsetting secret Harper has delayed sharing.

Harper isn’t openly out to her family, which forces her and Abby to pretend they’re just friends. Because Harper’s parents are traditional, Abby also feels pressured to hide her true sexuality. The movie does a great job of showing the difficulties they both face living these double lives, but unfortunately, the ending feels like it negates all the growth they experienced as characters.

Anyone who’s gone through a similar experience will likely agree that Abby and Harper would be better off splitting up. However, after a dramatic and sad twist, the story is heading towards them getting back together. It feels like the show has stopped focusing on realistic growth and is now aiming for a predictable, feel-good Christmas movie ending.

Happiest Season’s Ending Feels Too Conventional

Happiest Season stands out as a welcome change of pace. It’s a big-budget, well-made Christmas movie with a fantastic cast, and it’s refreshing to see a story that doesn’t center around a straight couple. The film feels like a deliberate break from tradition, and a satisfying ending would be a mature, even friendly, parting of ways for the couple.

The ending, where Harper’s secret is revealed and their conflict suddenly resolves, didn’t quite feel right for Abby. A more satisfying conclusion would have been a peaceful parting of ways, free of resentment, rather than a forced reconciliation. It seemed like the filmmakers prioritized a predictable, feel-good Christmas ending over a more original approach.

Kristen Stewart Has Better Chemistry With Aubrey Plaza In Happiest Season

The ending of Happiest Season is especially frustrating because of Harper’s ex, Riley, played by Aubrey Plaza. While it’s possible the actors were simply playing their roles, Plaza and Stewart had noticeably better chemistry in their few scenes together than Stewart and Mary Holland did as a couple throughout the entire film.

Abby and Riley had a stronger connection than Harper and Abby, which is why a relationship between Abby and Riley would have been a more satisfying conclusion to Happiest Season. Harper and Abby seemed to struggle with understanding each other, especially around family, while Abby and Riley clearly connected. Although Harper was likely a good partner to Abby at times, the way Harper acted in the movie – and her obvious chemistry with Riley – makes Riley the better romantic fit for Abby.

Dan Levy’s Cameo Would Be Improved With A Different Ending

I have to revisit Happiest Season every year – it’s become a Christmas tradition alongside Die Hard on Christmas Eve – and honestly, it’s all because of Dan Levy’s cameo. He’s just brilliant as Abby’s best friend! He’s this fabulous, funny, and incredibly empathetic city guy, but let’s just say looking after a house isn’t exactly one of his talents. He completely steals every scene he’s in!

The advice given to Abby about people coming out at their own pace ultimately led to her making up with Harper. However, it also could have helped Abby understand Harper’s perspective, even if she still decided to end the relationship. It’s difficult to ignore the hurtful and abusive behavior Abby experienced during the holidays.

Happiest Season Still Deserves To Be Considered A Christmas Classic

If you ask someone who enjoyed Happiest Season, they’ll likely say the ending is a major letdown. The reason it still bothers people years later is that the rest of the movie is so good. It beautifully portrays the experience of celebrating Christmas when your family isn’t always accepting, all without being overly sad.

While the ending of Happiest Season isn’t perfect, it doesn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the film. In fact, it highlights how even movies with flaws can be comforting and heartwarming. Harper and Abby might not have explosive chemistry, but their relationship feels real and reflects aspects of the LGBTQ+ experience, which is what makes the movie so charming. I already consider it a holiday classic and look forward to watching it every Christmas.

Read More

2025-12-07 18:40