Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson Reunite in 'Happy Hours' at Tribeca Festival
Katie Holmes's new film 'Happy Hours,' which she wrote, directed, and stars in alongside former 'Dawson's Creek' co-star Joshua Jackson, premiered at the Tribeca Festival to mixed critical reception. The romantic drama about former high-school sweethearts reuniting in Manhattan drew significant attention from fans of the 1990s TV series, arriving the same day as a 'Boy Meets World' documentary. Critics acknowledged the leads' undeniable chemistry but found the film's contrived plot and inauthentic dialogue undermined its romantic ambitions.
Katie Holmes's 'Happy Hours,' a romantic drama she wrote, directed, and stars in, received its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival's U.S. Narrative Spotlight section. The film reunites Holmes with Joshua Jackson, her former 'Dawson's Creek' castmate, playing former high-school sweethearts who reconnect decades later in Manhattan. Holmes plays Liz, a recently divorced photojournalist, while Jackson plays Andrew, a celebrated travel writer, with the two crossing paths again through a series of convenient plot coincidences. Critics praised the chemistry between the two leads and their on-screen charisma, but The Hollywood Reporter found the film burdened by contrived situations, stilted dialogue, and literary name-dropping that felt performative rather than organic. The supporting cast includes Constance Wu, Mary-Louise Parker, and Joe Tippett, though their roles were described as uneven in execution. Holmes has indicated the film is intended as the first installment in a trilogy inspired by Richard Linklater's 'Before' series. The premiere generated considerable excitement among millennial fans, coinciding with the debut of a 'Boy Meets World' documentary, underscoring the broader cultural moment around 1990s nostalgia.
What's missing
Neither source provides substantial detail about the film's distribution plans, release date, or whether it has secured a streaming or theatrical deal following its festival premiere.
How coverage differed
The Hollywood Reporter focused primarily on a critical assessment of the film's artistic shortcomings, using pointed language like 'cringe' and 'hangover.' The Washington Post framed the premiere more broadly as a cultural phenomenon tied to 1990s nostalgia, emphasizing audience enthusiasm and the wider trend of former TV stars leveraging their legacy.
What different sources said
Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and the continued power of ’90s nostalgia
- The Hollywood ReporterCenter
‘Happy Hours’ Review: Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson Aim to Charm, but This Reunion Is Likelier to Make You Cringe Than Swoon
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