Since the beginning of the year, many of the films that were highlighted at the previous edition of the Oscars have been added to various streaming platforms, and users are thoroughly enjoying revisiting them. A prime example is “The Holdovers,” which has become the most-watched movie on Prime Video US.
The drama has captivated The Academy with its compelling portrayal of themes such as loneliness, grief, resilience, and self-realization. Its central focus revolves around the story of a family comprising three individuals who share no bond other than being left alone in the same place.
Although being highly lauded by critics, the film was snubbed by the Oscars. It received five nominations in key categories, but only Da’Vine Joy Randolph managed to win, taking home the award for Best Supporting Actress.
The Holdovers is the most-watched movie on Prime Video US
In the landscape of 2023’s notable releases, including standout films like “Oppenheimer” and “Poor Things,” “The Holdovers” has captivated audiences with its touching depiction of those facing the holidays alone. Therefore, it’s not strange to see it become the most-chosen movie on Prime Video in the United States.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Dominic Sessa in The Holdovers. (Source: IMDb)
In the rankings, the picture outshone Jake Gyllenhaal’s “Road House,” which held the title of the platform’s most popular film since being added to the catalog. Additionally, it has surpassed “Ricky Stanicky” and “The Exorcist: Believer,” both of which were also enjoying considerable success on the charts.
The narrative of “The Holdovers” revolves around three distinct characters set in December 1970, all belonging to Barton Academy, an all-male boarding school nestled in New England. These include classics professor Paul Hunham, Angus Tully, burdened by a strained relationship with his parents, and Mary Lamb, the cafeteria manager who is grappling with the recent loss of her adolescent son in the Vietnam War.
Paul Hunham, lacking in close connections, finds himself alongside Angus Tully, whose mother instructs him to remain at the school so she can vacation with her new partner. Together, they join Mary Lamb at the institution, where they form an unexpected bond and spend the Christmas season together, exchanging invaluable lessons along the way.
The main cast features stellar performances by Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Dominic Sessa in his film debut. Directed by Alexander Payne, known for his exploration of loneliness and resilience, “The Holdovers” exemplifies his thematic expertise.
