Some things just stick in your brain. You know that feeling when you watch a movie and the side plot is actually way more interesting than the main one? That’s exactly what happened with Aubrey Plaza and Kristen Stewart in Happiest Season. It’s been years since that Hulu Christmas rom-com dropped in 2020, but if you go on TikTok or Twitter today, people are still yelling about it.
Honestly, it’s a whole mood.
Stewart played Abby, the girl just trying to survive a holiday with her girlfriend’s closeted, high-intensity family. Plaza played Riley, the "ex-girlfriend from high school" who ended up being the only person who actually treated Abby with any respect. The chemistry was, frankly, kind of terrifying. It wasn't just "good acting." It was that specific, electric energy where you forget you’re watching a scripted scene.
Even Aubrey Plaza knows it.
She’s gone on record—most notably on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert—saying she "wanted it too." She basically admitted that she was rooting for Riley and Abby to ditch the toxic family drama and drive off into the sunset together. Can you imagine? The internet would have actually broken.
The Happiest Season Backlash Explained
Most holiday movies are forgettable. You watch them, eat some popcorn, and forget the character names by New Year’s. But the Aubrey Plaza and Kristen Stewart pairing created a weirdly persistent rift in the queer cinema fandom.
Why?
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Because the movie ends with Stewart’s character staying with her girlfriend, Harper (Mackenzie Davis). On paper, it’s a happy ending. But for a lot of viewers, Harper was... well, she was kind of the worst. She spent the whole movie lying to her family and pushing Abby into a literal closet. Then you have Riley (Plaza), who shows up in these incredible suits, offers Abby a drink, and actually sees her.
It felt like a betrayal of the audience’s instincts.
Why Their Chemistry Felt Different
- The Bar Scene: There’s a scene in a drag bar where they just talk. No big stunts. Just two people who feel like they belong in the same world.
- Mutual Understanding: Riley was the only one who knew what Abby was going through because Harper had done the exact same thing to her years prior.
- The Suit: Let’s be real. Aubrey Plaza in that grey suit is a cinematic event in its own right.
It’s rare to see two powerhouse actors like this share the screen in a genre that’s usually pretty fluffy. Stewart has that nervous, twitchy, grounded energy. Plaza has that deadpan, piercing, "I know what you're thinking" vibe. When they collide, it’s less like a rom-com and more like a high-stakes drama.
Are Aubrey Plaza and Kristen Stewart Friends in Real Life?
People always want to know if the vibes translate off-camera.
The short answer is yes, they seem to genuinely get along. During the press tour for the film—which was peak pandemic era—they did a lot of interviews over Zoom and masked-up photo ops. In one interview, they joked about how much they loved wearing masks on the red carpet because it meant they didn't have to fake-smile for photographers.
That’s a very specific kind of shared energy.
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They both occupy this "alt-Hollywood" space. They aren't the types to give polished, corporate answers. They’re both a little weird, very talented, and notoriously protective of their private lives. Stewart has been busy with Oscar-nominated roles like Spencer and her directorial debut, while Plaza has been killing it in The White Lotus and Agatha All Along.
But fans are still holding out for a "reunion" project.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Ship"
Some critics argued that people only wanted Riley and Abby together because they "look cool."
That’s a bit reductive.
It wasn't just about the aesthetic. It was about the narrative weight. In a lot of queer stories, we're used to seeing characters settle for "enough" just to get a happy ending. But the chemistry between Plaza and Stewart suggested something more than just "enough." It suggested a relationship built on mutual honesty rather than hiding.
Director Clea DuVall has defended the ending, noting that the movie is about Harper’s journey and her growth. That’s fair. It’s a coming-out story. But when you cast two of the most charismatic women in Hollywood and give them more sparks than the actual leads, you’re gonna have a "problem" on your hands.
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What’s Next for the Duo?
As of 2026, there isn't a confirmed sequel to Happiest Season or a new project starring both of them.
That hasn't stopped the rumors, though. Every time a new "lesbian thriller" or "indie road trip movie" is announced, their names are the first ones mentioned in the casting wish lists. It’s reached a point where their names are linked together in the Google algorithm forever.
If you’re looking for more of that specific energy, you’ve basically got to piece it together. You watch Love Lies Bleeding for the gritty Kristen Stewart performance and Emily the Criminal for the "don't-mess-with-me" Aubrey Plaza vibe.
Actionable Ways to Support More Projects Like This
If you actually want to see these two work together again, the best thing you can do is support their individual "weird" projects.
- Watch their indie films: Don't just wait for the blockbusters. High streaming numbers for their smaller, more creative roles tells studios that their specific "brand" of acting sells.
- Engagement matters: It sounds silly, but studios look at what’s trending. The reason we’re still talking about them is because the internet refuses to let the pairing die.
- Follow the directors: Keep an eye on directors like Clea DuVall or Rose Glass who are actually putting these women in roles that challenge the status quo.
Aubrey Plaza and Kristen Stewart might not have ended up together on screen, but they definitely proved that sometimes, the "wrong" choice for a character is the "right" choice for the audience’s heart.
Keep an eye on the trades. In Hollywood, if there’s this much smoke, someone eventually tries to start a fire. Whether it's a dark comedy or a high-fashion crime caper, the world is clearly ready for round two.