The Holdovers
A curmudgeonly instructor at a New England prep school is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually, he forms an unlikely bond with one of them — a damaged, brainy troublemaker — and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam.
Critics Sentiment
Angus visits his mentally ill father in psychiatric hospital
Four students depart for ski trip leaving Angus behind
The film rises dramatically from its predictable middle section to the deeply moving psychiatric hospital visit, gaining 2.5 points.
The Holdovers builds steadily from a familiar setup to become an emotionally powerful experience, with critics consistently praising the authentic character development and heartfelt performances. The film peaks during its Boston sequences and psychiatric hospital visit, where reviewers found themselves moved to tears by the genuine human connections. Despite some pacing concerns in the middle act, the film delivers a deeply satisfying and warm-hearted conclusion that many consider a new Christmas classic.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 46
Paul Giamatti
Paul Hunham
Dominic Sessa
Angus Tully
Da'Vine Joy Randolph
Mary Lamb
Carrie Preston
Miss Lydia Crane
Brady Hepner
Teddy Kountze
Ian Dolley
Alex Ollerman
Jim Kaplan
Ye-Joon Park
Michael Provost
Jason Smith
Andrew Garman
Dr. Hardy Woodrup
Naheem Garcia
Danny
Stephen Thorne
Thomas Tully
Gillian Vigman
Judy Clotfelter
Tate Donovan
Stanley Clotfelter
Darby Lee-Stack
Elise
Bill Mootos
Mr. Endicott
Dustin Tucker
Mr. Rosensweig
Juanita Pearl
Mary's Sister Peggy
Alexander Cook
Priest / Bartender
Liz Bishop
Office Lady
Cole Tristan Murphy
Toothbrushing Student
Crew
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