Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/holland (US), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/holland (Canada), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/holland-2025 (UK), https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/welcome-to-holland (France), https://www.justwatch.com/it/film/holland-michigan (Italy), https://www.justwatch.com/es/pelicula/holland-michigan (Spain), https://www.justwatch.com/de/Film/holland-michigan (Germany)
https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/holland (Australia)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3045628/
Movie (Summary):
"Holland" is a 2025 American mystery thriller directed by Mimi Cave. The film centers on Nancy Vandergroot, a teacher and homemaker living a seemingly picture-perfect life in the quaint town of Holland, Michigan. However, when Nancy and a colleague become suspicious of a secret, her world begins to unravel as she discovers that nothing in her life is as it appears.
Plot Summary:
Nancy Vandergroot is a bubbly but brittle teacher and homemaker in Holland, Michigan. She shares a cozy life with her optometrist husband Fred and their young son Harry. Nancy's seemingly idyllic existence begins to crack when she develops suspicions about Fred's fidelity during his out-of-town work trips. Enlisting the help of her friend and fellow teacher Dave, Nancy hatches an elaborate plan to uncover the truth about Fred's activities. As Nancy investigates, she develops feelings for Dave, who clearly has a romantic interest in her. The deeper Nancy delves into her husband's life, the more she realizes that the secrets hidden beneath the surface of their seemingly perfect lives are far more twisted and dangerous than she initially imagined.
Director's Vision:
Mimi Cave, known for her directorial debut "Fresh," seems to continue exploring themes of hidden darkness and unsettling truths beneath seemingly normal exteriors in "Holland." The director's vision appears to be a prickly character study that doubles as a psychological thriller, using the tranquil American neighborhood as a deceptive backdrop for twisted secrets. Cave aims to build an atmosphere of unease, slowly revealing the unsettling realities that lie beneath the façade of a picture-perfect life.
Themes:
Hidden Secrets: The central theme revolves around the secrets that lurk beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives and relationships.
Suspicion and Doubt: Nancy's initial suspicions about her husband's infidelity drive the plot and highlight the destructive power of doubt in a relationship.
Unreliable Narrator: The film hints at the possibility of Nancy's own perception being skewed, raising questions about the true nature of the events unfolding.
Desperate Housewives: The narrative draws parallels to the "desperate housewife" trope, exploring the unhappiness and potential for turmoil beneath a veneer of suburban perfection.
Psychological Tension: The film focuses on building a sense of unease and psychological tension as the mystery unfolds.
Key Success Factors:
Strong Performance by Nicole Kidman: Kidman's portrayal of the troubled suburbanite Nancy is a central element that commands the viewer's attention.
Atmospheric Setting: The quaint and seemingly idyllic setting of Holland, Michigan, serves as a compelling contrast to the dark secrets being uncovered.
Intriguing Premise: The idea of a picture-perfect life crumbling due to hidden truths is a classic thriller setup that can draw viewers in.
Mimi Cave's Directorial Style: Following her well-received debut "Fresh," Cave's direction is likely to bring a distinctive and tension-building style to the film.
Summary Short:
In the seemingly tranquil town of Holland, Michigan, a teacher's suspicion about her husband's secret life leads her down a twisted path where nothing is as perfect as it appears.
Awards and Nominations:
Nominee Audience Award, SXSW Film Festival (2025)
Winner ReFrame Stamp, ReFrame 2025
Critics Reception:
Critics' reception to "Holland" has been mixed to negative. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film now holds a 36% positive rating based on 28 critics' reviews, with an average rating of 5.3/10. Metacritic, using a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 45 out of 100 based on 12 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews."
Tom's Guide considers "Holland" to be a "big original movie misfire" for Prime Video, highlighting its low Rotten Tomatoes score. Variety (Peter Debruge) describes "Holland" as a film that immerses viewers primarily in its protagonist's perspective, which, while not entirely believable, offers an entertaining experience for audiences who enjoy the tension of questioning whether the character is unstable or the sole voice of reason. 1 The Hollywood Reporter (Lovia Gyarkye) states that while the film boasts striking advancements in the director's style and committed performances from Kidman, Macfadyen, and Bernal, these qualities can't quite save a narrative fundamentally confused about its purpose. IGN (Katie Rife) suggests that although "Holland" takes place in a unique setting with kitschy Midwestern details, even Nicole Kidman in frustrated-housewife mode can't sustain the sloppily plotted thriller.
Reviews:
Austin Food Magazine: (Matthew Foster) Gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, praising the good performances and atmosphere but noting uneven pacing.
Screen Rant: (Graeme Guttmann) Mentions Cave's assured direction creates a sickly sweet, dreamy world, and though its story sometimes lacks dynamism, Kidman carries the film.
The Playlist: (Kate Sanchez) Notes the film is full of good ideas, acting, and stylish design but is too much to overcome with a meandering narrative and an unlikeable main character.
Collider: (Emma Kiely) Criticizes the film for not knowing what it wants to be, with a lack of focus and tension, ultimately squandering good ideas and wasting a great cast.
Movie Reelist: (Carl Naibert) Calls "Holland" a "jumble of an tourist trap" with a messy plot and a waste of Nicole Kidman.
Reddit (r/moviereviews): A user suggests the film squanders good ideas and wastes a great cast, with a twist that isn't surprising and poor pacing.
IMDb User Reviews: Include mixed opinions, with some appreciating the setting and performances, while others found the plot underwhelming and the pacing slow.
The revised critical reception and reviews paint a picture of a film with strong performances, particularly from Nicole Kidman, and an atmospheric setting, but one that ultimately struggles with a confused narrative, uneven pacing, and a lack of overall impact for many critics and viewers.
Production:
"Holland" is a 2025 American mystery thriller. It was filmed in the early 2000s setting.
Production Companies:
Amazon MGM Studios (Country: USA)
Blossom Films (Country: USA)
Big Indie Pictures (Country: USA)
42 (Country: UK)
Distribution Companies:
Amazon Prime Video (Country: USA) Amazon Prime Video is responsible for the distribution of the film.
Release Date:
Theatrical Release: The film premiered at the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) on March 9, 2025. There is no information about a wider theatrical release.
Release Date on Streaming: "Holland" was released on Amazon Prime Video on March 27, 2025.
Why to Recommend This Movie:
Strong Lead Performance by Nicole Kidman: If you are a fan of Nicole Kidman, her compelling portrayal of a troubled suburban woman is a key reason to watch.
Atmospheric Thriller: The film effectively builds an atmosphere of unease and hints at dark secrets lurking beneath the surface.
Intriguing Premise of Suburbia Hiding Darkness: The classic thriller setup of a seemingly perfect life unraveling can be engaging for fans of the genre.
Directed by Mimi Cave: Following her debut "Fresh," viewers interested in her directorial style and thematic concerns might find this film appealing.
Set in the Early 2000s: The period setting might offer a nostalgic element for some viewers.
Why to Watch Movie:
Looking for a Psychological Thriller: If you enjoy films that focus on suspense and the unraveling of characters' minds, "Holland" might be of interest.
Interested in Mysteries Set in Small Towns: The setting of Holland, Michigan, known for its tulips, provides a unique backdrop for a potentially dark story.
Fans of Slow-Burn Thrillers: The film takes its time to build tension and reveal its secrets, which might appeal to viewers who enjoy this pacing.
Curious About the Follow-Up to "Fresh": Mimi Cave's previous work garnered attention, and this film offers a chance to see her take on a different thriller premise.
What Movie Trend film is following:
Suburban Thrillers: "Holland" aligns with the trend of thrillers set in seemingly ordinary suburban environments that hide dark secrets and sinister undercurrents.
Psychological Thrillers: The film heavily leans into the psychological aspects of the story, focusing on the characters' mental states and the building of suspense.
What Big Social Trend is following:
Exploration of Hidden Lives: The film taps into a broader societal interest in the idea that people's private lives can be vastly different from their public personas.
Suburban Noir: The film has elements of suburban noir, a trend that explores the darkness and moral decay hidden beneath the veneer of affluent, orderly suburban life.
Final Verdict:
"Holland" presents an intriguing premise with a strong central performance from Nicole Kidman and a building atmosphere of unease characteristic of Mimi Cave's direction. While some critics have noted issues with pacing and the full realization of its thriller elements, the film offers a prickly character study wrapped in a mystery that may appeal to viewers who enjoy slow-burn psychological thrillers set in seemingly idyllic but ultimately deceptive environments.
Recommendations for Film Makers:
Ensure Pacing Matches the Ambition: While slow-burn can be effective, ensure the pacing consistently builds tension and doesn't lead to a rushed or underdeveloped final act.
Fully Realize the Central Mystery: If the premise hinges on a twisted secret, ensure that the reveal is impactful and satisfying for the audience.
Develop Supporting Characters Fully: While the lead performance is crucial, well-developed supporting characters can enrich the narrative and create a more immersive world.
Recommendations for Movie Industry:
Continue to Support Psychological Thrillers: This genre can offer engaging and thought-provoking content for a wide audience.
Provide Opportunities for Directors with Distinctive Styles: Mimi Cave's work on "Fresh" showed promise, and supporting directors with unique visions can lead to fresh and interesting films.
Consider the Strengths of Direct-to-Streaming Releases: For films like "Holland," a direct release on platforms like Amazon Prime Video can reach a broad audience immediately.
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