Family Weekend 2013

Sixteen-year-old Emily Smith-Dungy finds herself increasingly frustrated with her self-absorbed family, feeling neglected by the lack of affection and attention. Determined to change the dynamics, she takes drastic action by holding her parents, Samantha and Duncan, hostage, all in the name of a makeshift “Parental Aptitude Test.” In a calculated move, Emily administers her mother’s sleeping pills, ensuring that both Samantha and Duncan pass out after consuming a specially concocted drink on a seemingly ordinary Friday night.

Emily cleverly recruits her 17-year-old brother, Jackson, to film the unfolding drama, framing it as his next performance art project. Meanwhile, she involves her 9-year-old sister, Lucinda, who is obsessed with child film stars, convincing her that she’s landed a role in Jackson’s ‘movie’ with a twist: Emily is now the director.

As the situation escalates, the sharp wit of Emily’s mother clashes with her father’s perplexing case of Stockholm Syndrome, resulting in chaotic interactions that challenge Emily’s intentions. Just when Emily feels her “Family Weekend” plans are coming to fruition, an unexpected twist occurs when her friend Kat inadvertently causes a stir on social media, making the hostage situation go viral. The consequences of her actions lead to a burgeoning crisis that no one in the family anticipated.