The Holdovers (2023)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
A curmudgeonly teacher and a group of students find themselves stranded at a New England boarding school during the 1970 Christmas break.
The story
In the middle of December 1970, Paul Hunham, a strict and lonely classics teacher at the all-male Barton Academy, is forced to supervise a handful of students who remain on campus during the Christmas holiday break. Among them is the troubled Angus Tully and the grieving cafeteria manager Mary Lamb. As the holiday unfolds, the disparate group of individuals—each grappling with their own personal burdens and isolation—is forced into close quarters, leading to unexpected interactions and a shared experience of the holiday season in a secluded New England setting.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In December 1970, Paul Hunham, a prickly classics teacher at Barton Academy, is tasked with supervising several students left behind during the Christmas break. The group includes Angus Tully, a student whose family plans fell through, and Mary Lamb, the cafeteria manager dealing with the loss of her son in the Vietnam War. After a series of mishaps and a forced trip to Boston, Hunham and Angus develop a bond while navigating their respective hardships. Following a New Year's Eve celebration, a conflict arises regarding Angus's access to his father in a psychiatric hospital. Hunham defends Angus against the school's administration but is ultimately fired. The film concludes with a poignant exchange between Hunham and Angus as they part ways, with Hunham ultimately finding a moment of personal resolution.
- First release year
- 2023
- Runtime (minutes)
- 133
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Alexander Payne
- Writers
- David Hemingson · writer
- Cast and characters
- Paul Giamatti · Paul Hunham; Da'Vine Joy Randolph · Mary Lamb; Dominic Sessa · Angus Tully
- Genres
- comedy; drama
- Themes
- loneliness; grief; mentorship
- Tone and mood
- nostalgic; somber
- Premise and plot tags
- period piece; holiday; ensemble
- Reception
- The film received critical acclaim and was praised for its 1970s New England setting and performances.
- Reported review scores
- CinemaScore · score: A · scale: A+ to F; PostTrak · score: 80% · scale: percentage
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Supporting Actress · win; Golden Globe Award · Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy · win; Critics' Choice Movie Award · Best Actor · win; Critics' Choice Movie Award · Best Supporting Actress · win; Critics' Choice Movie Award · Best Young Performer · win; New York Film Critics Circle Award · Best Supporting Actress · win; Academy Award · Best Actor · nomination
- Production trivia
- The film is the second collaboration between Alexander Payne and Paul Giamatti.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…