The following contains spoilers for Holland, premiering March 27, 2025 on Prime Video.
Mimi Cave’s film Holland transports viewers to **Holland, Michigan**, a quaint town known for its Dutch heritage and tulip festivals. The film follows **Nancy Vandergroot**, played by **Nicole Kidman**, a home economics teacher whose mundane life revolves around teaching her students the art of crafting Dutch baby pancakes. However, Cave’s portrayal of this idyllic town quickly shifts as Nancy, plagued by a missing earring and the firing of a babysitter, finds herself embarking on an increasingly paranoid quest that spirals into unexpected chaos.
**Holland: A Very Predictable Movie**
**The Struggling Plot Beneath the Surface**
This movie feels like a collage of familiar influences, woven together with clear nods to the likes of **David Lynch’s** Blue Velvet and **Woody Allen’s** Manhattan Murder Mystery. While it aspires to capture the bizarre undercurrents of suburban life, it often loses its way in a formless mix of tepid antics. The film’s intrigue stems from Fred (portrayed by **Matthew Macfadyen**, known for his role in Succession), Nancy’s husband, whose quirks hint at deeper issues lurking beneath a veneer of normalcy. In an unsettling moment, Fred’s strange habits and condescending language create a sense of unease that Nancy desperately tries to unravel.
While watching unusual events unfold, one can’t help but notice the film’s most compelling subplot: the relationship between Nancy and Dave Delgado (played by **Gael García Bernal**). Their chemistry hints at a potential for depth, which is tragically left unexamined. Although Dave’s character serves as a mirror reflecting Nancy’s struggles, the film shies away from exploring their dynamic beyond surface-level intrigue.
**Holland’s Potential Left Unrealized**
**Combining Thriller and Domestic Satire**
The film attempts to blend elements of a **thriller** with **domestic satire**, but its efforts often fall flat. Positioned as a commentary on suburban life, Holland offers little in the way of substantive exploration and instead succumbs to predictable plot twists reminiscent of 1990s thrillers like Malice or The Hand That Rocks the Cradle. Its heavy-handed conclusions and self-fulfilling prophecies minimize the impact of its suspenseful moments.
Yet, amidst this mediocrity, there’s a flicker of a more engaging film that could have emerged from Cave’s direction. The setting and themes invite comparisons to sophisticated works like **Mike Judge’s** Extract and **Alexander Payne’s** Election, both of which deftly examine the mundane while unearthing the profound aspects hidden within everyday life. Unfortunately, Holland seems more focused on adhering to genre conventions than pushing boundaries or redefining expectations.
In focusing so heavily on Nancy’s quest for answers about Fred, the film misses opportunities to investigate the deeper societal issues at play. Characters remain flat and underdeveloped, adhering strictly to the narrative’s predictable arc instead of surprising the audience with complexity or growth. Instead of being a story of self-discovery, Nancy’s journey becomes merely another cog in a well-oiled machine that reflects the same old tropes.
**The Verdict on Holland**
While Holland has the framework of an engaging thriller, it fails to deliver on the narrative promises it sets up. With performances that, while competent, shine in familiar ways, the film opts for predictability over creativity. What could have been a nuanced exploration of domestic life ultimately plays it safe, leaving audiences wanting more than just surface-level entertainment.
Mark your calendars: **Holland** premieres on **March 27, 2025**, available for streaming on [**Prime Video**](https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CTMPF2FD/?tag=cbr-ai-2641893-20&ascsubtag=UUcbrUeUpU4147776&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbr.com%2Fholland-2025-movie-review%2F&asc_campaign=Authority).
- Adheres to a recognizable thriller structure while attempting domestic drama.
- Predictable plot twists diminish suspense.
- Characters largely blend into the background.
In a film landscape filled with innovative narratives, Holland serves as an important reminder of the need for fresh perspectives and bold storytelling choices.
