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Holland (film)

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Holland
Release poster
Directed byMimi Cave
Written byAndrew Sodorski[1]
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyPawel Pogorzelski[3]
Edited byMartin Pensa
Music byAlex Somers
Production
companies
Distributed byAmazon Prime Video
Release dates
  • March 9, 2025 (2025-3-9) (SXSW)
  • March 27, 2025 (2025-3-27) (United States)
Running time
108 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Holland is a 2025 American psychological thriller film directed by Mimi Cave, written by Andrew Sodroski and starring Nicole Kidman, Matthew Macfadyen and Gael García Bernal.

The film premiered at the South by Southwest Festival on March 9, 2025, and was released on Amazon Prime Video on March 27, 2025. It received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics.

Plot

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In 2000,[4][5] Nancy, a teacher in the small Midwestern town of Holland, Michigan, lives a stereotypical middle-class existence with her husband Fred and 13-year-old son Harry. Due to frequent absences, Nancy suspects Fred of living a double life. She notes Fred keeps Polaroid photos when they do not own a Polaroid camera, and he has been going to more out-of-town conferences than would be expected for an optometrist.

A fellow teacher at her high school, Dave, helps Nancy find out what Fred has been doing when he is supposedly at these conferences. Romantic feelings develop between Nancy and Dave. She later realizes that the train model Fred has been building in their home depicts details of several past murders of women. Dave follows Fred to a lake home, discovering that Fred is a serial killer. He stabs Fred, thinking he has killed him. The film ends with Fred returning to take Nancy and Harry home. While in the family car, Nancy creates a distraction by commenting that Harry's seat belt is not fastened and asks Fred to stop the vehicle. She kills Fred in the scuffle.

Cast

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Production

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Development

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In 2013, Naomi Watts and Bryan Cranston were attached to star.[6][7] Errol Morris was originally announced as the director.[8] Le Grisbi Productions' John Lesher and Adam Kassan were reported as producers while Sean Murphy would be co-producer.[9] Production was expected to start in April.[10] The plans were abandoned by 2015, allowing Amazon Studios to secure the film rights in 2016, ultimately leading to its production with a new cast and crew in 2022.[2]

It was announced in June 2022 that Kidman would star in and produce the project with Per Saari for Blossom Films and Peter Dealbert for Pacific View Management & Productions.[11] Mimi Cave was onboard as director for Amazon Studios with a script by Andrew Sodroski which had topped the 2013 Blacklist survey of the "most liked" as yet unfilmed screenplays.[12][13] It was later reported that Kate Churchill of Churchill Films would be the producer, rather than the previously mentioned executive producer.[2]

Although the film was initially announced as Holland, Michigan, the title was changed to Holland when the film release was revealed.[14] Although the script was originally written in 2013 and set in the present day, Cave shifted the timeline to 2000. She felt that themes like Dave's sense of alienation resonated more strongly with that era. Additionally, Cave personally connected to the early 2000s, having left the Midwest around 2002, which added a layer of authenticity and relatability to the story.[4]

Casting

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On February 1, 2023, Gael Garcia Bernal was confirmed as added to the cast.[15] On February 6, Matthew Macfadyen was added to the cast,[16] and a few days later so too was child actor Jude Hill.[17] On February 16, 2023, Rachel Sennott, Lennon Parham, Isaac Krasner and Jeff Pope were added to the cast.[18]

Filming

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As well as filming in Holland, Michigan, including at the Windmill Island Gardens,[19] principal photography also took place in Nashville and Clarksville, Tennessee,[20][21] with Sennott having to travel from Tennessee to SXSW in Austin, Texas, for premieres of her next releases, in March 2023.[22]

Filming took place from early March to May 7, 2023.[2]

Release

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Holland premiered at the 32nd South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festivals on March 9, 2025.[23][24][25] It was released on Amazon Prime Video on March 27, 2025.[26]

Reception

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Critical response

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 23% of 69 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.6/10.[27] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 41 out of 100, based on 19 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[28]

Peter Debruge of Variety described 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.[29] Chase Hutchinson of The Wrap praised Kidman's performance by noting that she is one of the most versatile and daring performers in modern cinema, often underappreciated despite her immense talent.[30]

Glenn Garner of Deadline Hollywood praised the cast's performance. He said Kidman delivers a sharp, manic performance in the film, evoking the darkly comedic tone of Gus Van Sant's To Die For, complete with biting humor and a gripping mystery in a portrayal that, he said, reminds audiences why she has remained a captivating force in cinema for decades.[31] William Hosie of London Evening Standard admired the cast's performance, especially Kidman, saying this role not only showcases Kidman's remarkable range but also reaffirms her ability to breathe life into uniquely compelling characters, further solidifying her status as one of the most versatile actresses of her generation.[32]

Lovia Gyarkye of The Hollywood Reporter said that the true standout of Holland is Cave's distinctive style, which masterfully crafts an unsettling vision of suburban discomfort.[33] In a similar view, Adrian Horton of The Guardian said that while Holland excels in its striking visuals and the eerie, unsettling atmosphere crafted by Cave, there's a noticeable disconnect between these strengths and the film's narrative, which feels as fragile and insubstantial as one of Nancy's delicate Dutch hats.[34]

References

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  1. ^ "Holland, Michigan". Writers Guild of America West. August 30, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e Magat, Katrina (July 9, 2023). "'Holland, Michigan': Cast, Plot, Filming and Everything We Know About the Nicole Kidman Thriller". Collider. Archived from the original on July 9, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  3. ^ "Seminar: A Conversation with Cinematographer Pawel Pogorzelski". belcourt.org. Archived from the original on February 13, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Vary, Adam B. (March 9, 2025). "'Holland' Director Mimi Cave on Working With Nicole Kidman and Keeping Audiences Guessing: 'Hopefully, You Don't Know Who to Believe'". Variety. Archived from the original on March 10, 2025. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
  5. ^ Kenigsberg, Ben (March 27, 2025). "'Holland' Review: Nicole Kidman Goes Dutch". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 2, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  6. ^ White, James (September 8, 2013). "Naomi Watts Starring In Holland, Michigan". Empire. Archived from the original on September 8, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  7. ^ Serba, John (February 25, 2014). "Bryan Cranston, Naomi Watts to star in Errol Morris film 'Holland, Michigan'; local shoot possible". mlive.com. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  8. ^ Bergeson, Samantha (January 22, 2025). "SXSW Film & TV Festival Unveils First Wave of 2025 Lineup: Nicole Kidman, Seth Rogen, Ben Affleck, and More". IndieWire. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  9. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (September 6, 2013). "Toronto: Naomi Watts To Star In Errol Morris-Helmed 'Holland, Michigan'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  10. ^ Kit, Borys (September 6, 2013). "Toronto: Naomi Watts to Star in Errol Morris' 'Holland, Michigan'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  11. ^ DeVore, Britta (June 17, 2022). "Nicole Kidman Set to Lead Mimi Cave-Helmed Thriller 'Holland, Michigan'". Collider. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  12. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 17, 2022). "Nicole Kidman To Star & Produce Thriller Feature 'Holland, Michigan' At Amazon Studios; Mimi Cave Directing". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  13. ^ Wren, Shaun (July 3, 2022). "Nicole Kidman lands next lead movie role in new thriller". DigitalSpy. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  14. ^ Grobar, Matt (January 22, 2025). "Seth Rogen Comedy Series 'The Studio' To Open SXSW 2025; 'The Accountant 2,' 'Death Of A Unicorn', 'Drop,' 'Happy Face' & More Also To Screen". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 22, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  15. ^ Galuppo, Mia (February 1, 2023). "Gael García Bernal Joins Nicole Kidman in Thriller 'Holland, Michigan' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  16. ^ Grobar, Matt; D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 6, 2023). "'Succession's Matthew Macfadyen Joins Nicole Kidman, Gael García Bernal In Prime Video Thriller 'Holland, Michigan'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  17. ^ Grobar, Matt (February 9, 2023). "'Holland, Michigan': 'Belfast's Jude Hill Latest To Join Prime Video Thriller". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  18. ^ Grobar, Matt (February 16, 2023). "Holland, Michigan': Rachel Sennott, Lennon Parham, Isaac Krasner & Jeff Pope Latest To Join Thriller At Prime Video". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  19. ^ Sasiela, Evan (February 28, 2023). "'Holland, Michigan' filmmakers scale back local scenes, won't shoot downtown". The Holland Sentinel. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  20. ^ Martin, Michael (January 17, 2023). "Nicole Kidman-led film 'Holland, Michigan' now looking for West Michigan extras". Fox 17. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  21. ^ Kennedy, Liam (April 19, 2023). "Downtown Clarksville Transformed Into Movie Set". The Leaf-Chronicle. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  22. ^ Olsen, Mark (March 11, 2023). "The reigning queen of SXSW is feeling the 'pressure': 'Did they like that?'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  23. ^ Hailu, Selome; B. Vary, Adam (January 22, 2025). "SXSW 2025 Lineup: Seth Rogen's 'The Studio,' Jenna Ortega Comedy 'Death of a Unicorn,' Nicole Kidman Thriller 'Holland' Among World Premieres". Variety. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  24. ^ Taylor, Drew (January 22, 2025). "SXSW 2025 Film & TV Slate: 'The Accountant 2,' A24's 'Death of a Unicorn,' Seth Rogen's Next Apple Series and More". TheWrap. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  25. ^ "Holland". SXSW. February 12, 2025. Archived from the original on February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  26. ^ McArdle, Tommy (February 18, 2025). "Nicole Kidman Unravels a 'Twisted Tale' in First Look at Holland from Fresh Director Mimi Cave (Exclusive)". People. Archived from the original on February 18, 2025. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  27. ^ "Holland". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  28. ^ "Holland". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  29. ^ Debruge, Peter (March 9, 2025). "'Holland' Review: A Kitschy Dutch-Themed Midwestern Town Plays Backdrop to a Twisty Mystery". variety. Archived from the original on March 11, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  30. ^ Hutchinson, Chase (March 10, 2025). "'Holland' Review: Nicole Kidman and Matthew Macfadyen Are Terrific in Twisty, Overstuffed Thriller". The Wrap. Archived from the original on March 11, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  31. ^ Garner, Glenn (March 9, 2025). "'Holland' Review: Nicole Kidman Leads Mimi Cave's Manic Midwestern Thriller — SXSW". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 11, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  32. ^ Hosie, William (March 11, 2025). "Holland on Prime Video review: Forget Babygirl, this is the Nicole Kidman movie to watch". London Evening Standard. Archived from the original on March 21, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  33. ^ Gyarkye, Lovia (March 10, 2025). "'Holland' Review: Nicole Kidman, Matthew Macfadyen and Gael Garcia Bernal in a Stylish Psychological Thriller That Doesn't Pay Off". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 11, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  34. ^ Horton, Adrian (March 10, 2025). "Holland review – twisty Nicole Kidman thriller is a disappointing mess". The Guardian. Archived from the original on March 11, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
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