People Hold On is a 2015 Canadian independent drama film written, directed, and produced by Michael Seater. The film features an ensemble cast that includes several young Canadian stars, including, among others, Katie Boland, Ashley Leggat, and Chloe Rose. Paula Brancati co-wrote the film with Seater, and also stars. The duo's production company, BrancSeater Productions, produced the film. It was filmed throughout 2014 and 2015 and debuted on the film festival circuit in 2015. It was released to general cinemas and for digital download on iTunes on May 31, 2016.
The film received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Original Song, for the song "People Hold On", written and performed by cast member Noah Reid.
Story
A group of friends in their mid-twenties reunite for their annual trip to a cottage in the woods. Alycia, Robin, Freddy, and Matthew arrive first, and are shocked when Robin's ex-boyfriend Dan shows up with a 19-year old girlfriend named Marley. Two years ago, Dan proposed to Robin but she turned him down, and things have been rocky between them ever since. Last to arrive are Julia and her new fiancee Darren, and Alycia is immediately jealous of Julia's happiness and acts coldly towards her.
The eight settle in and begin making dinner. Robin attempts to befriend Marley, but is put off when she learns she and Dan have only been dating for two weeks. After eating, the group begin drinking and smoking mushrooms. Matthew showcases his musical talent by playing an original song, but brushes it off when Dan tries to encourage him to pursue a music career. When Marley falls asleep, Dan and Robin end up briefly making out in the kitchen before Robin stops and angrily storms off, while Alycia and Freddy make a campfire and eventually have sex. The next morning, Robin tells Alycia and Julia about her kiss with Dan, and while Alycia assumes that Dan brought Marley to make Robin jealous, Julia thinks Dan is just struggling over still having feelings for her. Meanwhile, Darren is shocked when he learns that Julia used to be a drug dealer in high school due to the "good girl" image she portrays now as an adult.
The group decide to spend the day at a nearby lake. Freddy tells the other guys about sleeping with Alycia, but when he tries to ask her on a real date she abruptly turns him down and runs off. While tanning with Robin and Julia, the other girls try to convince Alycia to give Freddy a chance. Julia admits that, although she's happy with Darren, she is frightened by the idea of only being with one person for the rest of her life, and Robin admits that is part of the reason why she broke up with Dan. However, Alycia rudely blows their advice off. Meanwhile, Dan condescendingly mocks Matthew about the fact that he quit his job to come on the trip, pissing Matthew off. Matthew later hangs out with Marley, who admits that she thinks Dan is preachy and acts like he is better than everyone else. Marley encourages Matthew to talk to Dan about how he treats him, but Matthew and Dan end up getting into a physical fight. Dan goes off into the woods with Marley and tries to initiate sex, but Marley stops him and tells him she isn't blind to the issues he has with his friends, and is upset he dragged her into it. They end up breaking up.
Darren begins letting loose and drinking with the others, and when Julia asks him advice about turning thirty, Darren says that turning thirty is when you realize that you're never really going to ever have it all together. Alycia runs over and begins gossiping about Marley and Matthew flirting, leading to her comparing Marley to Julia. The others reveal that Julia has had sex with all the guys in their friend group, despite how uncomfortable the revelation makes Darren. When Alycia makes a cruel comment about Julia giving everyone STD's, Julia overhears and angrily calls Alycia out on being rude to her all weekend, telling her that everything bad about Alycia's life is her own fault. Alycia is reduced to tears, and the group awkwardly returns to the cabin. Matthew comforts Julia, and admits he has realized he needs to grow up. He goes for a walk and finds Marley sitting alone, and they share a kiss. Darren finds Julia and assures her that he doesn't care about her past actions, and only wants her to not pretend to be someone she isn't for him. They happily reconcile.