Is there anything Nicole Kidman Can't do? It appears that with her recent role as the leading actress in the drama series "Holland," the answer is no.
The film, titled after the quaint Dutch toy village situated along the shores of Lake Michigan where the story takes place, made its debut yesterday at the Austin-based South by Southwest film and arts festival. SXSW It is the director's sophomore full-length film following her work on the 2022 picture "Fresh," directed by Mimi Cave.
Holland is indeed a genuine location, though figuring out precisely who resides there—or whether its supposed residents recognize it as essentially a fanciful version of Legoland filled with clogs and pancake-like landscapes—is challenging. Nonetheless, this serves as an excellent backdrop for Cave’s grimly humorous yet unyielding suspense novel, enhanced by a meticulously crafted stage design that muddles the distinction between reality and mere gameplay—without offering a fallback option.
Nicole Kidman portrays Nancy Vandergroot, a home economics instructor, spouse, and parent to one child, whose conventional life takes an unexpected turn following revelations about her partner's concealed preferences. This production, penned by Andrew Sodroski, masterfully blends genres; think romantic comedy meets thriller with a dash of madness – resulting in something entirely outlandish yet captivating.
Like Anora Holland is one of those movies that defies categorization—taking particular delight in challenging viewers. The screening last night, attended mainly by critics and industry professionals who aren’t typically demonstrative, saw attendees scream, laugh, cry, spit out their beverages, and grip their seats tightly throughout the film’s two-hour duration. Following a year filled with visually stunning yet excruciatingly slow-paced films like "The Brutalist" and “I'm Still Here,” Holland serves as an uplifting testament to what cinema can achieve when filmmakers are allowed creative freedom.
Included among the producers is Kidman herself, further expanding her portfolio which already encompasses numerous credits. Expats And "Nine Perfect Strangers." It’s hard to fully value Holland without acknowledging the unwavering perseverance of its most prominent figure — an iconic presence from Hollywood who, at 57 years old, remains more in demand than ever before.
Kidman has encountered backlash recently for reprising similar roles—depicting affluent and attractive characters weighed down by their history. However, her newest role provides a fresh departure from that pattern. Nancy is portrayed as innocent, suspicious, strongly maternal, and defensive. She is complex yet not overly introspective—a trait seldom seen in contemporary leading ladies, which underscores Kidman’s range as an actor.
Here is not the sole performance deserving recognition. Surrounding Kidman are Gael Garcia Bernal (Pablo Neruda, And Your Mother Too) and Matthew Macfadyen "Pride and Prejudice" and "Succession." They both excel in their roles as her coworker and romantic interest, Dave, and her seemingly ideal but subtly unsettling spouse, Fred. What stands out even more is the remarkably gifted Jude Hill, portraying Nancy and Fred’s 13-year-old son, Harry. After his breakthrough performance as Buddy, Kenneth Branagh’s memoir-inspired movie Belfast He appears poised to emerge as one of the most outstanding actors of his era.
However, the key point about Holland is just how immensely enjoyable it is. Amidst an age dominated by background noise television and drawn-out sagas, it’s refreshing to observe that we still possess directors bold enough to captivate audiences—and producers ready to support such endeavors.
Holland arrives on Prime Video on March 27.
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