Katie Holmes' "Happy Hours" Debuts at Tribeca: A Critical Review

Happy Hours premiered at the Tribeca Festival’s U.S. Narrative Spotlight. The 80-minute romantic drama, set in Manhattan’s Central Park, Washington Square Park, and Chinatown, follows Liz (Katie Holmes), a newly divorced photojournalist who discovers her former high-school sweetheart Andrew (Joshua Jackson) while photographing street scenes. Andrew, a travel writer promoting upscale resort destinations, re-enters Liz’s life, prompting a series of meetings that include a magazine assignment with Michael and a coffee date. The story intersperses flashbacks of their teenage romance; flashbacks depict teenage Liz and Andrew, played by Johnna Dias-Watson and Jack Martin, bonding over Blondie music. Themes of missed connections are explored.

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Holmes wrote, directed, and stars in the film, her second major feature. The project reunites her with former “Dawson’s Creek” co-star Joshua Jackson. The opening features an Alan Watts quote and later nods to poets Neruda, Rilke, and Woody Allen movies, reflecting Holmes’ intent to embed literary and cinematic allusions.

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• Katie Holmes – Liz

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• Joshua Jackson – Andrew

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• Constance Wu – Liz’s agent

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• Mary-Louise Parker – Liz’s aunt

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• Joe Tippett – Charlie, Liz’s friend (uses ASL)

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• John McGinty – John

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The Hollywood Reporter describes the film as “contrived” and “inauthentic,” noting that miscommunications are stretched beyond plausibility. Comic relief, especially scenes with Parker’s aunt, is labeled “cringey,” while dialogue in American Sign Language for the deaf character John is deemed “forced.” The reviewers acknowledge the leads’ chemistry but argue the narrative lacks believability.

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Holmes has indicated that *Happy Hours* is intended as the first installment of a trilogy, drawing a parallel to Richard Linklater’s *Before* series.

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The film marks a career milestone for Holmes, moving her from actress to writer-director. Its release may draw nostalgic interest from “Dawson’s Creek” fans and affect indie romantic dramas that blend literary references with urban settings. The announced trilogy could shape Holmes’ future direction.

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• “He’s the serious kind, one who makes proclamations on the order of “I think it’s important to have the global experience expressed through local conversation.” — Andrew, travel writer (Joshua Jackson)

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• “Happy Hours is also the sort of movie in which a fateful miscommunication that could easily be cleared up in a few seconds is instead dragged out for much of the running time.” — Hollywood Reporter review

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• “The two leads are such likeable, soulful performers that it’s even more disappointing that the film doesn’t feel believable for a second.” — Hollywood Reporter review

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• “Holmes had indicated that Happy Hours is the first installment in a trilogy, à la Richard Linklater’s Before films.” — Katie Holmes (as reported)

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• “ In but one of many convenient coincidences peppering the storyline, Liz is asked to photograph Michael for a magazine story.” — Hollywood Reporter review

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Holmes plans two additional installments to continue Liz and Andrew’s story, though production timelines remain undisclosed.

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