The Story of That Time of Year
That Time of Year is a 2018 Danish dramedy that takes the chaos of family gatherings and turns it into something far more caustic than your typical holiday movie. Director and actor Paprika Steen doesn't soften the edges here—instead, she leans into the resentments, old arguments, and simmering conflicts that emerge when relatives are forced into proximity. The film explores how Christmas, despite its reputation as a season of goodwill, often becomes the perfect storm for bringing out the worst in people. What makes it work isn't sentimentality. It's the recognition that families are bound by both love and deep-rooted grievance, and sometimes you can't separate one from the other.
Behind the Making of That Time of Year
Paprika Steen brought That Time of Year to life through a collaboration of Danish production houses—Film Fyn, Nordisk Film Denmark, Det Danske Filminstitut, and FilmFyn all contributed to the film's creation. At 101 minutes, the film strikes a balance between comedy and genuine emotional weight, refusing to stay in one lane for too long. The production earned 12 nominations and 1 win at various festivals and awards ceremonies, a testament to its resonance within the Nordic film community and beyond. While it didn't become a mainstream blockbuster, That Time of Year found its audience among viewers who appreciate character-driven narratives that don't shy away from uncomfortable truths. Steen's dual role as both director and performer gives the film an authenticity that's hard to fake—she's invested in every frame, and that commitment shows. The ensemble cast brings a naturalistic quality to their performances, which is crucial when you're asking an audience to sit with family dysfunction for nearly two hours.
What Makes That Time of Year Stand Out
What's striking is how the film refuses the easy out. You know the type—the Christmas movie where everyone learns a lesson and hugs it out by the credits. That Time of Year doesn't traffic in that kind of resolution. Instead, it's built on the messy reality that some family wounds don't heal just because you're all stuck in the same house for a few days. The comedy works because it emerges from genuine character moments rather than forced jokes. There's a particular scene early on where a family argument spirals over something trivial—a comment about cooking, maybe—and you watch it metastasize into something much larger, touching on decades of perceived slights and unspoken resentments. That's where the film lives. It's in those moments where you recognize your own family dynamics, even if the specifics are different.
The performances anchor the film in a kind of uncomfortable authenticity. Nobody's playing a caricature here; they're all playing people you might actually know—flawed, defensive, sometimes cruel, but rarely intentionally so. That Time of Year earned an IMDb rating of 6.2 out of 10 from over 1,600 voters, which honestly feels about right for a film that's more interested in making you squirm than making you comfortable. It's not a "crowd-pleaser" in the traditional sense, and that's entirely the point. The film trusts its audience to appreciate nuance over sentimentality.
Where to Stream That Time of Year Online
That Time of Year is currently available on major OTT streaming services, and Movie OTT tracks its availability across platforms in real time. Rather than hunting through multiple streaming apps wondering where it lives, you can check the "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page to see which service has it in your region right now. Streaming rights shift frequently—especially for international films—so having a reliable aggregator like Movie OTT handy means you're not wasting time on a wild goose chase. The film's 101-minute runtime makes it a manageable evening watch, and it's the kind of film that benefits from being watched without interruption, so finding the right platform and settling in matters.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed That Time of Year?
Paprika Steen directed and stars in the film. She's a Danish filmmaker and actor known for her work in Nordic cinema, and her dual role gives the film an authenticity that permeates every scene.
Q: Is That Time of Year based on a true story?
No, it's not based on a true story, though it certainly feels like it could be. The film draws on universal experiences of family dysfunction during the holidays—the kind of thing that resonates across cultures precisely because it's so recognizable.
Q: What's the runtime of That Time of Year?
The film runs 101 minutes, which gives it enough breathing room to develop its characters and conflicts without overstaying its welcome.
Q: What awards did That Time of Year win?
The film earned 1 win and 12 nominations across various film festivals and awards bodies, particularly resonating within the Nordic film community.
Q: Is That Time of Year a Christmas movie?
It's set during Christmas and uses the holiday as a backdrop for family conflict, but it's not a traditional Christmas movie in the Hallmark sense—it's darker and more complex than that.
Final Thoughts on That Time of Year
That Time of Year works best for viewers who've experienced the particular pain of family gatherings where love and resentment coexist. It's not going to make you feel warm and fuzzy. It will, however, make you feel seen—and sometimes that's more valuable than comfort. If you're looking for a film that treats its characters with intelligence and refuses easy answers, this one's worth your time. Don't expect a feel-good ending. Expect something far more honest.
