Ref: The

The 1994 cult classic (also known as Hostile Hostages ) is a razor-sharp dark comedy that effectively deconstructs the "happy holiday" trope. Directed by Ted Demme, the film stars Denis Leary in a role tailor-made for his signature abrasive wit, alongside heavy-hitters Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis. The Premise

The story follows Gus (Leary), a cat burglar who takes a bickering couple, Lloyd (Spacey) and Caroline (Davis), hostage on Christmas Eve after a robbery goes south. To his horror, Gus realizes he has walked into a "fate worse than jail": a marriage so dysfunctional that the couple won't stop arguing even at gunpoint. As their extended family arrives for dinner, Gus is forced to masquerade as their marriage counselor to keep the peace and avoid the police. Reviews/Film: The Ref; A Christmas That Upends Christmas The Ref