There's No Better Time to Revisit This 97%-Rated Instant Classic
This is a film that doesn't try to impress you – it tries to make you feel understood.
During the bustle of December, you may find yourself craving more than just another festive comedy with tinsel, but real, deep comfort.
Alexander Payne's The Holdovers offers just that – it's like a cozy sweater that warms you from the inside or a gentle snowfall that soothes the soul.
What Is 'The Holdovers' About?
The story takes place on Christmas Eve in 1970 at an academy for boys in New England.
The students have left for their homes, but three people remain in the empty hallways: Angus, a resentful senior; Mr. Hunham, a sullen and lonely history teacher; and Mary, a cook mourning her son who did not return from Vietnam.
Their forced proximity evolves into an unexpected journey from mutual irritation and misunderstanding to a fragile yet genuine bond.
'The Holdovers' Is a Movie That Instantly Became a Christmas Classic – and Deservedly So
Almost from the moment it was released, The Holdovers was hailed as a new holiday classic – and with good reason. Director Alexander Payne crafted a film that perfectly balances lighthearted melancholy and gentle humor while avoiding cheap sentimentality.
He doesn't try to deceive us with a tale of instant miracles. Instead, he offers something more valuable: the truth that warmth is born not from magic but from simple human compassion.
This honesty, carefully packaged within the nostalgic aesthetic of the 1970s – with its rough textures, warm film colors, and empty, snow-covered school scenes – creates a genuine sense of magic, not just a decorative one.
'The Holdovers' Is a Warm, Subtle Film That Envelops You Like a Blanket
The Holdovers is the cinematic equivalent of hot cocoa by the fireplace. The pace is leisurely, the dialogue is full of lively and witty vocabulary, and the characters are written with such love and depth that they feel utterly real.
The acting trio is impeccable. Paul Giamatti portrays a loser with a heart of gold, Da'Vine Joy Randolph radiates quiet, crushing grief, and newcomer Dominic Sessa impresses with his natural acting.
Their arguments, awkward silences, and rare moments of mutual support form a truly delicate narrative.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Holdovers'?
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The Holdovers has 97% from critics and 92% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.9/10.
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On Letterboxd, The Holdovers scored 4.2/5.0.
Where to Watch 'The Holdovers'?
The Holdovers is available to stream on Peacock.
