Usually known for her moody indie roles, Kristen Stewart is embracing the festive cheer with her latest holiday rom-com, Happiest Season.
The film follows Kristen Stewart’s Abby as she joins her girlfriend Harper (played by Mackenzie Davis) for the holidays. Abby plans to propose, but soon finds out that Harper hasn’t come out to her conservative parents.
It’s got all the holiday rom-com tropes we know and love
Kristen Stewart says the film isn’t intended to be experimental or challenge the viewer, and that portraying a queer love story in the conventions of a holiday rom-com was a “really exhilarating and freeing” experience.
Writer and director Clea DuVall echoes Stewart’s views on the film.
“I’m a huge fan of Christmas movies, but I had never seen my story represented,” she told People. “Happiest Season felt like a great opportunity to tell a universal story from a new perspective.”
Director Clea DuVall also stars in the film
Happiest Season is the second feature film from co-writer and director Clea DuVall, who is widely known for her acting roles in Girl, Interrupted, The Handmaid’s Tale, Amerian Horror Story and Veep.
It’s based on the writer’s real-life story
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Clea DuVall said she was inspired to tell the story from “her own place of truth.”
She recalled several experiences as Christmases with her partners where their parents didn’t know about her queer identity, rather being labelled as “the friend”.
It features everybody’s favourite Schitt’s Creek star
Happiest Season has a stellar ensemble cast, with Aubrey Plaza, Alison Brie and Mary Steenburgen making appearances.
Fans of the hit comedy Schitt’s Creek will be happy to see Dan Levy plays a supporting role as Abby’s best friend John.
It’s arriving in cinemas and online this November
Like most movies this year, Happiest Season is heading straight to streaming services, meaning you’ll be able to watch it from the comfort of your own home from 20 November on Hulu.
For those who prefer the cinema experience (and where cinemas are open), it’ll also be coming to select movie theatres.
