Directed by
Josh Gordon
Made by
Paramount Pictures
Discover the intricate plot of Office Christmas Party (2016). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
In the movie’s opening, Josh Parker, played by Jason Bateman, is on the verge of completing his divorce proceedings while also navigating his demanding role as the Chief Technical Officer at an IT firm called Zenotek. Upon arriving at work, he encounters his eclectic group of coworkers, including Mary, the strict HR Administrator portrayed by Kate McKinnon, who often butts heads with her more carefree colleagues. Notably, there’s the flamboyant Meghan (Jamie Chung), alongside the unpleasant Jeremy (Rob Corddry), and the heartbroken Alison (Vanessa Bayer), who’s trying to move on after being cheated on. Meanwhile, Nate (Karan Soni) pretends to have a girlfriend to avoid the relentless teasing from his peers.
Josh soon meets up with his coworker and friend, Tracy Hughes, played by Olivia Munn, who is working on a cutting-edge software initiative for the company. They share a palpable chemistry, yet Josh remains too timid to express his feelings. Together with his manager, Clay Vanstone (portrayed by T.J. Miller), they head out to do some holiday shopping, where an amusing mishap occurs when Clay accidentally topples a Christmas tree in a department store.
As the office gears up for the festive season, Carol, the intimidating CEO known as “the Dragon Lady,” played by Jennifer Aniston, bursts onto the scene, shutting down even the slightest hint of a holiday party. This is triggered by a startling dip in the company’s sales, which has prompted Carol to consider closing branches, including theirs. In an effort to save their jobs, Josh, Clay, and Tracy scheme to impress a potential client, Walter Davis (Courtney B. Vance), by throwing a clandestine party, hoping it will showcase the vibrant culture at Zenotek.
As the night unfolds, chaos ensues at the party. Josh, determined to impress, engages in humorous antics, including an eggnog luge that inadvertently amplifies the night’s madness. Alison and Fred’s awkward romantic moment adds an unexpected twist when he begins to act like a child, causing her to flee. Meanwhile, Nate’s secretive rendezvous involving an escort leads to further hilarity when he discovers the hefty price tag for her company.
Just as Walter shows signs of interest, the festive atmosphere spirals out of control, culminating in a series of breathtaking misadventures that put Josh, Clay, and their jobs at risk. After a thrilling car chase to stop Clay from making a risky stunt, the events of the night culminate in a dramatic crash that causes a citywide internet outage.
With their backs against the wall, Josh, Tracy, and Mary rally together to resolve the crisis, leveraging Tracy’s innovative program to restore internet services, ultimately securing their jobs as they receive a much-needed lifeline from Walter. In the aftermath, romantic sparks fly between Josh and Tracy as well as Nate and Alison, leading to a heartwarming conclusion where even Clay and Carol find common ground amidst their professional rivalry.
The film culminates in a lighthearted breakfast gathering at the hospital, where, despite the doctor’s warnings, they plan to indulge in some holiday cheer, showcasing the joy and camaraderie that ties them all together.
Track the key events of Office Christmas Party (2016) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Divorce Proceedings
The movie opens with Josh Parker struggling to finalize his divorce, which adds emotional stress to his life. As the Chief Technical Officer at Zenotek, he juggles personal and professional challenges simultaneously.
Workplace Dynamics
Upon arriving at Zenotek, Josh meets his diverse team, including the strict HR Administrator Mary who often clashes with her more carefree coworkers. Among them are Meghan, the flamboyant colleague, Jeremy, the unpleasant one, and Alison, the heartbroken employee trying to cope with her recent breakup.
Nate's Pretend Girlfriend
In an attempt to avoid ridicule from his peers, Nate lies about having a girlfriend. This humorous pretense underscores the pressures faced by the employees in their personal lives, contributing to the film's comedic elements.
Holiday Shopping Mishap
Josh and his friend Tracy head out for a holiday shopping trip with their manager Clay. Their outing turns chaotic when Clay accidentally knocks over a Christmas tree in the store, providing a comical break from their stressful work environment.
Carol's Announcement
The intimidating CEO Carol, affectionately dubbed the 'Dragon Lady', arrives at the office with disturbing news. A significant decline in sales puts the company's future at risk, leading her to threaten branch closures, including Zenotek.
Plan to Impress Walter
In a bid to save their jobs, Josh, Clay, and Tracy devise a scheme to impress a potential client, Walter Davis, by organizing a secret office party. They hope this will showcase the lively culture at Zenotek and secure a much-needed deal.
The Clandestine Party
The party begins with a festive atmosphere, but soon descends into chaos as Josh attempts to impress the client with humorous stunts, including an eggnog luge. The unexpected antics set the tone for the night's spiraling events.
Alison's Awkward Moment
During the festivities, Alison experiences an awkward encounter with Fred, who behaves childishly. This quirky moment adds to the overall humor of the night, showcasing the various interpersonal relationships among the coworkers.
Nate's Revelation
Nate's attempt to have a rendezvous with an escort leads to comical consequences as he discovers the unexpectedly high cost. This subplot highlights the absurdities of his situation and adds to the film's comedic narrative.
Party Out of Control
As Walter shows interest in joining the festivities, the situation spirals further out of control, leading to a series of misadventures. This escalating chaos serves as a pivotal moment, putting both their jobs and the party at risk.
Dramatic Car Chase
In a desperate attempt to avert disaster, Josh engages in a thrilling car chase to prevent Clay from making a reckless stunt. The chase results in a dramatic crash that inadvertently causes a citywide internet outage, amplifying the crisis.
Crisis Resolution
Faced with the fallout from the party debacle, Josh, Tracy, and Mary come together to leverage Tracy's innovative program. Their collective efforts are instrumental in restoring internet services, ultimately saving their jobs.
Romantic Developments
With the crisis resolved, romantic sparks ignite between Josh and Tracy, and between Nate and Alison. These blossoming relationships add a heartwarming touch to the film's conclusion, showcasing personal growth amidst professional chaos.
Breakfast at the Hospital
The film concludes with a lighthearted breakfast gathering at the hospital. Despite warnings from medical professionals, the group plans to indulge in holiday cheer, emphasizing their camaraderie and the joy of their shared experiences.
Meet the characters that bring Office Christmas Party (2016) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Josh Parker
Josh is the Chief Technical Officer at Zenotek, navigating the complexities of his divorce while managing his professional responsibilities. He has a supportive and gentle nature but struggles with expressing his feelings for Tracy. His character embodies the challenge of balancing career ambition with personal life.
Tracy Hughes
Tracy is an ambitious and talented coworker who is working on a cutting-edge software project. She's confident and resourceful, often serving as the voice of reason amidst the chaos. Her chemistry with Josh adds a romantic flare to the storyline, highlighting the potential for love in a tumultuous environment.
Mary
Mary is the strict HR Administrator who often finds herself at odds with the more carefree employees. Her no-nonsense attitude serves as a foil to the antics of her coworkers, adding humor to the portrayal of workplace dynamics. Despite her stern exterior, she plays an important role in maintaining order.
Clay Vanstone
Clay is Josh's manager who embodies a laid-back and unconventional approach to leadership. His humorous yet reckless nature leads to outlandish situations, particularly during the party. Clay's character represents the challenges of balancing work responsibilities with the desire to create a fun and lively atmosphere.
Carol
Carol, often referred to as 'the Dragon Lady', is the intimidating CEO whose hard-nosed approach to business puts pressure on her employees. Despite her strict demeanor, she too navigates the pressures of corporate responsibility, highlighting the complexity of leadership in a crisis situation.
Uncover the settings of Office Christmas Party (2016), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
Christmas Season
The events unfold during the Christmas season, a time typically associated with joy and celebration. However, the film captures the underlying stress of corporate pressures and the challenges employees face as they try to balance work demands with holiday festivities. This time period emphasizes themes of togetherness and resilience amidst adversity.
Location
Zenotek, Department Store
Zenotek is a bustling IT firm known for its innovative projects and vibrant corporate culture. The atmosphere is filled with a mix of professional tension and light-hearted camaraderie among the employees. The department store serves as a backdrop for comedic holiday mishaps, showcasing the festive spirit amidst the chaos of urban life.
Explore the core themes of Office Christmas Party (2016). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
🎉
Workplace Chaos
The film delves into the comedic chaos that can ensue within a corporate environment, especially during holiday parties. It highlights the lengths employees will go to secure their jobs and maintain workplace camaraderie. The antics during the party serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of office culture.
❤️
Romantic Tensions
Romantic relationships play a vital role in the narrative, particularly between Josh and Tracy, as well as Nate and Alison. Their connections develop amidst the backdrop of workplace pressures and personal challenges, showcasing how love can blossom even in chaotic situations. The film highlights the importance of emotional support during stressful times.
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2025 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.