You are here:

The Christmas Setup

Name: The Christmas Setup
Director: Pat Mills
Released: 2020
Duration: 88 min

Representation Score

5.2/10

Fair

2020

TV-PG

Director

Pat Mills

Runtime

88 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Christmas Setup stands out by placing a queer romantic storyline at the core of a traditionally straight-centered holiday genre. By focusing on Hugo and Patrick's relationship, the film provides queer characters who play a significant role in driving the story and emotional depth. While the film excels in LGBTQ+ storytelling, it falls short in other areas. The social environment is depicted as largely homogeneous, and there are no depictions of disability or significant racial diversity. The narrative prioritizes the experiences of male characters, which limits the breadth of gendered representation.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Christmas Setup have LGBTQ+ representation?

Excellent

The film focuses on a romantic relationship between Hugo and Patrick, challenging traditional holiday narratives by making their connection the main emotional driver.

How does The Christmas Setup portray gender?

Fair

Kate plays a significant role in the story, influencing events and having authority in her community. However, the central romantic tension revolves around the male protagonists.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Christmas Setup?

Fair

The story takes place in a relatively homogeneous social circle in Milwaukee, with no notable racial diversity or casting of actors from different backgrounds.

How does The Christmas Setup represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative examines the tension between local holiday traditions and the demands of a globalized professional life, emphasizing personal emotional connections over career success.

Does The Christmas Setup include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or mentioned depictions of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the film.

Present on Screen

Centers a queer romance as the primary emotional driver of the holiday narrative.
Provides male characters with significant roles in navigating attraction and major conflicts.
Includes a female character with social authority and narrative influence.

Limited or Absent

Lacks significant racial and ethnic diversity within the Milwaukee social circle.
Provides no visible representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
Focuses romantic tension primarily on male protagonists, limiting gendered narrative breadth.

Official Synopsis

Follows the story of New York lawyer Hugo who heads to Milwaukee with his best friend Madelyn to spend the holidays with his brother Aiden and his mom Kate, who is also in charge of the local Christmas celebrations. Ever the matchmaker, Kate arranges for Hugo to run into Patrick, Hugo’s high school friend and secret crush, who has recently returned after a successful stint in Silicon Valley. As they enjoy the local holiday festivities together, Hugo and Patrick’s attraction to each other is undeniable and it looks as though Kate’s Santa-style matchmaking is a success. But as Hugo receives word of a big promotion requiring a move to London, he must decide what is most important to him.

How are these scores produced? →