There's also the matter of Brad, whose character is responsible for the frustration present in the middle act of The Best Thanksgiving Ever. While initially introduced as the cynical realist to Kevin's relentless optimist, Brad quickly segues into toxic friend territory, repeatedly goading the clearly unwilling Kevin to join him in his night of alcohol-fueled night of casual sex, under the false guise of helping him get over his heartache. The fact that Brad is married only adds further salt to the wound, and even after Kevin delivers a cathartic tell-off rant to Brad, the film never allows for Brad to truly redeem himself for his behavior. It doesn't help that the closest thing he has to a redemption arc is tied in with a gag involving Brad and old high school classmate Samantha that is guaranteed to strike some the wrong way and render Brad thoroughly unlikable.
