Nicole Kidman brings her usual talent to the movie Holland, but even her strong performance can’t save this slow and confusing thriller.
A Star Who Never Misses
Nicole Kidman has been one of Hollywood’s most reliable actors. She keeps taking bold roles and often works with female directors, which is refreshing. Over the last eight years, she’s worked with at least 19 women filmmakers. No matter how weak the script, Kidman always gives it her all. That’s exactly what happens in Holland—she does her best, but the movie doesn’t quite deliver.
A Promising Start
The movie starts off with an interesting idea. Kidman plays Nancy Vandergroot, a teacher living in Holland, Michigan. Her husband, Fred (played by Matthew Macfadyen), is an optometrist. They live with their young son Harry (Jude Hill). Things take a turn when Nancy suspects their babysitter, played by Rachel Sennott, of stealing an earring. She fires her, and from there, Nancy starts to feel something is off in her household.
Fred often leaves town for “business trips,” but Nancy starts questioning why an eye doctor would need to travel so much. This sets off a chain of suspicions and secrets.
Mystery Turns Messy
To uncover the truth, Nancy teams up with her co-worker, Dave Delgado (played by Gael García Bernal). As they dig deeper into Fred’s odd behavior, their bond grows stronger—creating tension in Nancy’s already troubled marriage.
While this setup could lead to a gripping thriller, the movie quickly loses its way. The script, written by Andrew Sodroski, becomes too focused on adding twists and turns. But these plot points often ignore basic logic, leaving viewers confused and unsatisfied.
Missed Opportunities
The film hints at deeper themes, like racism (Dave faces discrimination), but these moments only show up when it fits Nancy’s storyline. They don’t feel real or thoughtful. There’s also a giant toy train set in Fred’s basement that seems important—but it ends up going nowhere.
Even the detailed setting of Holland, Michigan, doesn’t add much to the story. The town’s character feels wasted. The film could’ve been set anywhere, and the story wouldn’t have changed.
Nicole Kidman Deserves Better
Through all the confusion, Nicole Kidman gives a committed and believable performance. She brings depth to Nancy, showing her confusion, pain, and determination. It’s clear she’s trying to elevate the material, but the movie doesn’t give her much to work with.
Other talented actors, like Rachel Sennott and Gael García Bernal, don’t get enough screen time or strong dialogue. Their roles feel unfinished and underused.
