Award-Winning Film The Holdovers
The Holdovers, a Christmas comedy drama, is coming to the Duke of York's Picturehouse in Brighton. With its impressive awards tally, this film is a must-see for fans of the genre.
Dir: Alexander Payne
Cast: Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Carrie Preston, Brady Hepner, Ian Dolley, Jim Kaplan, Michael Provost
133 mins · 2023 · United States of America · Cert 15 · English
IMDb 7.9/10 · Rotten Tomatoes 97% · Metacritic 82/100 · TMDB 7.6/10 · Trakt 80%
Awards: Won 1 Oscar. 137 wins & 211 nominations total
The Holdovers
13 Dec 2026 – 15 Dec 2026
Duke of York's Picturehouse (Brighton)
On Sunday, 13 December 2026, the Duke of York's Picturehouse in Brighton will screen The Holdovers, a 2023 American Christmas comedy drama film directed by Alexander Payne. The film features an all-star cast, including Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph. With a runtime of 133 minutes, The Holdovers is a drama and comedy film that tells the story of a strict classics teacher who forms an unlikely bond with one of his students and the school's head cook.
The film has received widespread critical acclaim, with scores of 7.9/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82/100 on Metacritic, 7.6/10 on TMDB, and 80% on Trakt. It has also won numerous awards, including an Oscar, and has been nominated for 211 awards in total. The film's success can be attributed to its well-crafted storyline, impeccable direction, and outstanding performances from the cast.
Tickets are with the button beside the article. The Duke of York's Picturehouse in Brighton will screen The Holdovers from Sunday, 13 December 2026, until Tuesday, 15 December 2026.
Stills
What viewers say
ben.teves
When my filmmaker friend told me this movie was the best thing he’d seen this year, I knew it had to be good. But wow, did it exceed my expectations. I agree - this is absolutely the best film I have seen this year. From the top, you’re hit with the 1970s pastiche all over this movie and there’s an immediate coziness to it that never goes away. Whether we’re isolated at a New England boarding school with four characters over winter break or in…
Read on Trakt
Xiofire · 8/10
The warm, authentic 70s vibe emanating from this movie really is something. From the film grain, the lofi credits, the static camera with pan and zoom only, it really sells the aesthetic right from the jump and never lets up. On craft alone, The Holdovers is a worthy watch, but that would be a disservice to the melancholic-yet-heartwarming tale being told. While you could argue that the plot is one of trope and predictability, the warm blanket…
Read on Trakt
lancebridges · 10/10
Quintessential holiday classic…might just make it a yearly tradition. Giamatti masterclass
Read on Trakt
JimDarko
The beauty of Christmas is the inherent sadness that underlies the holiday. Whether it be due to the amplified loneliness during the season, or memories of the joys of Christmas past. It’s part of the spirit of this movie and it lends itself to the idea of finding your people when you need them most. It feels like it’s been too long since I watched a movie about people just connecting as people. I loved it.
Read on Trakt
pmndaniel7 · 1/10
Nah, this is terrible. IT IS NOT A COMEDY. There is LITERALLY nothing funny in this movie. Absolutely nothing! IT IS NOT A CHRISTMAS MOVIE. Or at least not in the sense of how most of us perceive holiday movies. There is nothing jolly, nothing magical, nothing festive in this one. THIS IS PURE DRAMA. Not the kind of drama that builds on a story and follows it, just pure drama. Every 10 minutes another sad information is being delivered about the…
Read on Trakt
ana993 · 9/10
The best movie I've seen this year. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and gave me this warm, cosy, but melancholic feeling. A must watch!
Read on Trakt
AlfieSGD · 7/10
Even though 'The Holdovers' is certainly a good movie, I don't fully buy into the awards hype. It's a bit too vanilla for that, and it plays it safe almost all the time. There are no real surprises because the plot develops exactly as expected. However, as a holiday film, the whole thing is at least wholesome, and it's certainly a good choice for the festive season. The biggest plus points lie in the visuals. Not only is the movie set in the…
Read on Trakt
ragnarLothbrok · 8/10
Really great movie, a rare find these days. It's all happening in the beginning of 70s, filmed in this style and keeps that vibe really good. Actors are great, the story is touching, zero woke/lgbt propaganda. This movie reminded me of the saying: "We are all in the same game, just different levels, dealing with the same hell, just different devils". And remember, anyone who doesn't like this movie might be considered a penis cancer in human…
Read on Trakt
Comments
Sign in to your Hidden Beach account to comment.
Loading comments…