(L to R) Paul Giamatti stars as Paul Hunham and Dominic Sessa as Angus Tully in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.
Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdover’ is a holiday dramedy set in the 1970s starring Paul Giamatti (‘Jungle Cruise’), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (‘Rustin’), and Dominic Sessa. Taking place at the elite Barton Academy, a history teacher, a school kitchen manager, and a student are stuck in the school and are forced to spend the holidays together. They form an interesting and unlikely bond as they learn more about each other.
This film reunited Academy Award winning director Alexander Payne with Paul Giamatti since their collaboration on ‘Sideways’, which was released almost 20 years ago in 2004.
Where Can I Watch ‘The Holdovers’?
(L to R) Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of FOCUS FEATURES / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.
The movie held its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023. Following the positive reaction from Telluride attendees, the film was also screened at TIFF on September 10, 2023. It was released domestically on October 27, 2023. ‘The Holdovers’ is set to have its release in the UK on January 15, 2024.
Buy Tickets: ‘The Holdovers’ Movie Showtimes
With the film being in theaters for over 60 days, showings have become quite limited. However, you still have plenty of opportunities to view the movie from the comfort of your home. The film became available for streaming on Peacock on December 29, 2023.
Where to Watch: ‘The Holdovers’ Online
The film is also available for purchase digitally on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Vudu, and Microsoft for $19.99
A Story of Grief, Coming of Age, and Self-Discovery
(L to R) Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mary Lamb in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.
The movie’s three leads find themselves in a different time in their lives. Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) is mourning the loss of her son, Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) is a grumpy history teacher disliked by students and fellow faculty, and Angus Tully, a student at Barton who is having a hard time coming to terms with the loss of his father, and his mother’s new relationship.
This unlikely trio is forced to spend the holidays at the Academy, and through this experience, though unpleasant at first, their eventual bond and appreciation for each other slowly help them come to terms with their hardship.
Related Article: Movie Review: ‘The Holdovers’
‘The Holdovers’ Wins At The Golden Globe Awards
Paul Giamatti at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards, airing live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
After its successful showings at Telluride and TIFF, buzz began to build around the movie, and as we head into award season, you can expect to see ‘The Holdovers’ be a part of the conversation.
At the 2024 Golden Globe Award, ‘The Holdovers’ was nominated for four awards: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture, Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
Paul Giamatti took home the award for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, making it his third Golden Globe win. Da’Vine Joy Randolph wins for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture, making it her first Golden Globe win.
Aside from the Golden Globe nomination and wins, ‘The Holdovers’ is touted to be a top contender during the upcoming Award season. For the 2024 Critics Choice Awards, it received eight nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Young Actor/Actress, Best Acting Ensemble, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Comedy.
We’ll be keeping an eye on ‘The Holdovers’ as the 94th Academy Awards approach.
When Will ‘The Holdovers’ Be Available On Blu-Ray?
(L to R) Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.
The movie is currently available on VOD, but if you prefer physical media, you’re in luck. It was announced that ‘The Holdovers’ became available on DVD and Blu-ray on January 2, 2024. You can purchase it from retailers such as Amazon and Walmart.
The DVD and Blu-ray will include bonus features such as deleted scenes and featurettes such as “Working with Alexander” and “The Cast of The Holdovers.”
Buy ‘The Holdovers’ on Amazon
Watch the official trailers for ‘The Holdovers’ below:
The official synopsis for ‘The Holdovers’ is below:
“’The Holdovers’ follows a curmudgeonly instructor at a New England prep school who 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. Together, the three work to rediscover and redefine the meaning of “family.”
Director Alexander Payne and actor Dan Aid on the set of their film ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.
Other Alexander Payne Movies:
To watch our exclusive interviews with the cast of ‘The Holdovers,’ please click on the video player below.
To watch our exclusive interviews with director Alexander Payne, writer David Hemingson, and editor Kevin Tent about ‘The Holdovers,’ please click on the video player below.
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