The Holdovers – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Holdovers

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2023

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A grumpy teacher, a lonely kid, and a grieving cook form an unlikely Christmas family—tissues recommended.

7.9/10

97%

7.7

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The Holdovers

movie

R, 2023

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A grumpy teacher, a lonely kid, and a grieving cook form an unlikely Christmas family—tissues recommended.

7.9

97%

7.7

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7.9/10

97%

7.7

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Screenwise Verdict

The Holdovers is a well-crafted, emotionally intelligent drama about loneliness, grief, and the unexpected connections that save us. It's the kind of movie that rewards patience and emotional maturity—which means it's absolutely not for younger kids or teens looking for action.

The good news: it's genuinely enriching material for older teens who are ready to think about complex human emotions, class dynamics, and historical context. The bad news: it's rated R for good reasons (mature themes, likely profanity, adult situations), and the pacing will lose anyone who isn't already invested in character-driven storytelling.

This is a 'watch together and discuss' movie for families with high schoolers, not a 'throw it on for the kids' situation. If your teen is grappling with feelings of alienation, or you want to talk about how difficult people often have depth, this is a strong choice. Just make sure they're ready for the emotional weight—and the runtime.

Age Fit

This is squarely for mature high schoolers (15-16+) who can handle grief, adult language, and slow-paced emotional storytelling. Younger teens will be bored; adults will appreciate it but it's not exactly family movie night material.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Models genuine human connection, empathy, and emotional growth through unlikely friendships. The curmudgeonly instructor's transformation and bond with a troubled student demonstrates kindness emerging from loneliness. Set against grief (cook's son died in Vietnam) and abandonment themes, it handles heavy material with warmth rather than manipulation. Pacing is deliberate and character-driven, not chaotic. However, the protagonist is intentionally difficult and prickly for much of the runtime, which is realistic but not always modeling ideal behavior.

Imaginative

This is a character study set in a realistic 1970s prep school environment—not particularly imaginative in concept or execution. It's a well-crafted drama that explores emotional territory, but doesn't invite creative expression, world-building, or novel thinking. The 'unlikely friendship' premise is fairly conventional. The period setting provides some nostalgic texture but isn't used in especially inventive ways. It's more about human observation than imagination.

Safe

R-rated content likely present (though specific MPAA rating not provided in data). Set during Vietnam War era with explicit mention of a character's son dying in combat—grief is a central theme. 'Damaged, brainy troublemaker' suggests behavioral issues and possibly substance use or other mature content typical of prep school dramas. The curmudgeon archetype often involves harsh language and adult themes. Without explicit content details, assuming typical adult drama territory: profanity, alcohol use, mature themes around loss and abandonment. Not appropriate for young viewers to stumble upon.

Enriching

Strong potential for discussing grief, loneliness, class dynamics, found family, and how people cope with loss and disappointment. The Vietnam War backdrop offers historical context. Explores how difficult people can have depth and worth, and how circumstances force us to see beyond first impressions. The prep school setting touches on privilege and educational systems. Character-driven storytelling that rewards attention and empathy. TMDB rating of 7.652 suggests audiences found it meaningful. Excellent material for teens grappling with complex emotions and social dynamics.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Teaches that difficult people often have good reasons for their armor, and that loneliness is universal
Models how genuine connection can emerge from forced proximity and shared vulnerability
Historical setting (Vietnam War era) provides context for discussing sacrifice, class, and privilege
Character-driven storytelling rewards emotional intelligence and empathy
Shows that found family and chosen connections can be as meaningful as biological ones

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What to Watch For

Heavy themes of death, grief, and abandonment—a character's son died in Vietnam, students are 'left behind' at Christmas
Likely mature language and possibly substance use (prep school + curmudgeon + troubled teen = probably some drinking/smoking)
Slow burn pacing—this is a character study, not a plot-driven movie, so easily bored kids will check out
The 'curmudgeon' protagonist is intentionally unpleasant for a good chunk of the runtime

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think some people act mean or difficult when they're actually just lonely or hurt?"
"The cook lost her son in the Vietnam War—what do you know about that war and why it was so controversial?"
"If you were stuck at school over break, who would you want to be stuck with and why?"
"What makes someone 'family'—is it just who you're related to, or can it be the people who show up for you?"
"The teacher and student both feel like outsiders—have you ever felt that way? What helped?"

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