Winter just got a new must-watch. The Holdovers is crashing holiday movie night with heart, humor, and real ache. I have been hearing it in rooms across town, from publicists to programmers. People are reaching for this film the way they reach for cocoa, on repeat and with intention.
The story that sneaks up on you
Set at a snowed-in New England prep school, The Holdovers traps three people who do not expect to spend Christmas together. A grumpy classics teacher, played with sharp bite by Paul Giamatti. A restless student left behind. A grieving school cook, brought to life by Da’Vine Joy Randolph. They share meals. They share losses. They share a few laughs they do not see coming.
Alexander Payne directs with warmth and sting. The movie is funny, then it hurts, then it holds you. It looks like a lost film from the 1970s. It feels brand new. The holidays become a mirror. The season makes their loneliness louder, then makes the healing stick.
Why this one is different
Most Christmas films aim for twinkle and tidy bows. This one chooses messy truth. It never winks. It earns every smile.
- Real people, not ornaments, trying to make it through a hard week
- Comedy that lets grief breathe
- A setting that traps the trio, then frees them anyway
- A period vibe that feels cozy, but never corny
Paul Giamatti gives a career-crowning turn. He makes a man of rules feel full of contradictions, and strangely lovable. Randolph is a force. She grounds each scene with humor and heartbreak. Dominic Sessa, the student, stands tall next to them. He is sharp, sly, and human. When the three click, it is lightning in a snow globe.
The awards heat is real
Make room on the ballots. The Holdovers is squarely in the awards race this season. Voters love films that balance pain and joy. This does that with grace. Giamatti is a top tier contender. Randolph has supporting actress momentum that is impossible to ignore. Payne’s steady hand puts the film in the conversation for best picture.
Awards watch. Expect nominations for Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, with best picture and original screenplay in play.
This is not just a critics’ crush. Cast Q and As are drawing lines around the block. Industry screenings end with knowing nods. It is the rare holiday release that invites serious talk without killing the mood. You feel good. You also feel seen.
Celebs and fans are claiming it as tradition
The Holdovers is sliding into holiday rotations beside the familiar favorites. Not because it is cute. Because it is honest. Stars who live for seasonal viewing parties are putting it on the stack. They want something with bite between the peppermint sweets. Families are finding common ground here. Teens hear the student’s voice. Parents recognize the adult ghosts. Grandparents catch the period detail and the old-school frame.
One scene at a quiet diner lands like a carol. Another moment with a borrowed suit lands like a hug. Viewers are calling out the film’s small acts of kindness. They are also naming the hard truths it refuses to dodge. That mix travels from living rooms to group chats to office parties. It becomes a new ritual.
Best way to watch. Dim the lights, keep phones away, and save dessert for the final act. You will want to sit with the ending.
What it means for the holiday canon
The Holdovers does not chase nostalgia. It earns it. It sits next to the classics without copying them. It proves the season can handle complex stories. It argues that forgiveness is a gift, not a shortcut. It reminds us that found family can happen by accident, then hold for life.
If you are tired of noise, this is the answer. If you want a movie that breathes, this is it. It is the film you press play on after the wrapping paper settles. It is the one you bring to a friend who had a rough year. It is comfort with a conscience.
The bottom line
Here is the call. The Holdovers has arrived as the modern Christmas classic, quietly and completely. It looks small. It lands big. It gives you a new tradition that feels earned. Watch it now, then watch it again next year. The season just found its soul, and it sounds like laughter through tears.
