The story kicks off with Michelle Pfeiffer’s character, the family matriarch, narrating how underappreciated mothers often feel during Christmas. They tirelessly handle the cooking, gift shopping, and decorating to ensure a warm and festive home when the family gathers. In this particular year, Claire (played by Pfeiffer) and her husband Nick (Denis Leary) are bracing themselves for a snowless Christmas in their affluent Texas neighborhood. Their three children, each with their own quirks, are coming home to celebrate. Channing (Felicity Jones), the eldest, seems the most settled, with a quirky yet endearing husband (Jason Schwartzman) and two children. Taylor (Chloe Grace Moretz), the rebellious middle child, exudes effortless coolness and is openly gay, struggling with commitment as she introduces a new partner each year. The youngest, Sammy (Dominic Sessa), is supposed to bring his first serious girlfriend home, but she breaks up with him just before the holiday.

Amidst the holiday hustle, the family neglects to enter Claire into the Mom Competition on her favorite TV show, “The Zazzy Tims,” hosted by Eva Longoria’s character, Zazzy, despite multiple reminders. This oversight deeply disappoints Claire, as it was the one Christmas gift she truly desired. The final blow comes when her family forgets to include her on their way to the annual Christmas dance show. The situation echoes a reverse “Home Alone” scenario, though it feels forced given Claire’s constant reminders about the event. Frustrated and hurt, Claire decides to cancel Christmas, packs her bags, and sets out to watch Zazzy’s show live, even if she can’t participate. Along the way, she encounters strangers, loses her car to towing, and inadvertently finds herself in the competition.

These chaotic and improbable plot developments provide a stage for comedic moments within this dysfunctional family, yet they often feel overly contrived. While this might be forgivable, the humor crafted by Chandler Baker and Michael Showalter falls short, with more misses than hits. The script’s banter and slapstick humor fail to deliver, despite the cast’s earnest efforts. There are a few humorous moments, particularly with Leary’s portrayal of a desperate husband and grandfather, and Schwartzman as a bumbling fool, but much of the comedy comes across as awkward rather than amusing. It’s unfortunate, as the talented cast is eager to entertain, but they are let down by a lackluster script.