Most romantic comedies tend to feature a man and a woman, falling desperately and hopelessly in love, and almost ALWAYS end with a happy ending. However, director Clea DuVall, best known for her work on 90’s classics such as The Faculty, She’s All Here and But I’m a Cheerleader (a personal favourite), is here to shake things up.
Happiest Season, an upcoming Christmas rom-com, is the first major studio romantic comedy to feature a lesbian couple at its center. Charlie’s Angels and Twilight actor Kristen Stewart with star alongside Black Mirror’s Mackenzie Davis as the two main love interests, Abby and Harper. The plot follows the two women as they return home for the Christmas holidays. For Abby, the time is right: she wants to propose to Harper. That is, until it is revealed that Harper has yet to come out to her conservative parents. As a result, things aren’t as easy as they seem.
To get us hyped for the film, which is set to be released in November, a first look and sneak preview has been released via People. The images feature Stewart and Davis navigating the holidays together as the couple are seen ice skating and taking family photos beside a Christmas tree. Smiling in the photos, Happiest Season lays true to its name – this is going to be a film filled to the brim with laughter, fun and festive spirit. With LGBTQ+ romance stories renowned for sad endings, here’s hoping that the happiness evident in these photos will last the run of the film.
The festive spirit evident in these photos was also commented on by DuVall and Stewart, who both said the movie was incredibly fun to film: “Maybe I’m biased, but this was one of the most fun sets I have ever been on”[…] “From the cast to the crew, everyone showed up each day with an excitement and energy that made every day a joy. We couldn’t have had a better more loving pack of weirdos supporting each other on this one.”
Stewart and Davis will star alongside Alison Brie (Horse Girl), Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation), Daniel Levy (Schitt’s Creek), Victor Garber (Legally Blonde) and Mary Steenburgen (Book Club). With a stellar cast, this is a holiday story that is long overdue.
Read more: Could ‘Last Christmas’ Be The New ‘Love Actually’?
When talking about the film, DuVall commented: “I’m a huge fan of Christmas movies, but I had never seen my story represented […] Happiest Season felt like a great opportunity to tell a universal story from a new perspective.” This sentiment was echoed by Stewart who told People: “I’ve wished to see a gay Christmas rom-com my whole life. I’m so happy and proud of Clea for bringing this into the world.”
I, for one, cannot wait to be snuggled up with my mince pies and a hot chocolate, enjoying a new take on the Christmas rom-com. If the pictures are anything to go off, Happiest Season is set to be a fun, feel-good film.
Happiest Season will be released on 27 November. Get the Christmas jumpers out, it’s time to get into the holiday spirit with Kristen Stewart!
Words by Lucy Lillystone
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