A rom-com gone wrong in Netflix’s ‘Holidate’

If it didn’t actually exist, “Holidate” would sound like one of those fake movies within a movie. A couple of attractive singles decide on a low-stakes, no-commitment arrangement to be each other’s dates on holidays? It’s a perfect rom-com concept in that it’s equal parts ridiculous and shamefully appealing. Slot in some very pretty people (Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey), a drunken aunt (Kristen Chenoweth) some bawdy dialogue and a picturesque and unbelievably warm Chicago where it’s possible to wear spaghetti straps at Easter and it practically

makes itself. Unfortunately, like so many that have come before, it’s pretty terrible too (and that’s taking into account the rom-com curve).

“Holidate,” available now on Netflix, is one of those extremely self- aware and cynical romantic comedies where the lead characters are neither romantics nor even particularly likeable. This garbage person love story can work under the right circumstances (see: “You’re The Worst”), but that usually takes a sharp script to execute. This script by Tiffany Paulson, with insights like “chicks go mental at the holidays” and comedic asides along the lines of “excuse me, Crocodile Dundee,” is not that. And simply being aware of rom-com cliches and having your characters discuss them is getting a little tired.

The “holidate” concept comes from Sloane’s Aunt Susan (Chenoweth, giving a terrible role her all and not earning any laughs in the process) who brought a mall Santa home and seems happy with her life. When Sloane meets Jackson in the returns line where they compare their terrible Christmases, they decide to give it a shot for New Year’s.

The best thing that “Holidate” has going for it is that Roberts and Bracey do have great chemistry, but they just don’t have a story or a script that can do it justice.

If you want a raunchy will-they-won’tthey rom-com in which two attractive people try to keep their relationship platonic, I’d suggest avoiding “Holidate” and watching Lesley Headland’s “Sleeping With Other People” instead.

Steve Dietl / Associated Press Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey in a scene from “Holidate.”