Holland Thriller with Nicole Kidman Faces Mixed Reviews Online
The internet is buzzing with the first reviews of Holland, a thriller starring Nicole Kidman, and the verdict is far from glowing. Critics have largely panned it, branding it an awkward attempt to mimic the dark comedies of the Coen Brothers—creators of Fargo (1995) and The Big Lebowski (1998).
On Rotten Tomatoes, Holland sits at a tepid 50% approval rating based on 10 reviews at the time of writing. JoBlo didn’t mince words, arguing that director Mimi Cave (Fresh) and writer Andrew Sodroski (Manhunt) aimed to channel the Coens’ signature black comedy vibe but stumbled badly:
“There’s a whiff of the Coen Brothers’ dark humor here, but it lands with all the grace of a stumbling fool. The first two-thirds drag on with a punishing dullness. A grim plot twist finally offers some relief, but by then, it’s a struggle to care about this silly thriller’s unraveling.”
The Hollywood Reporter echoed the sentiment, noting that even Kidman’s solid performance couldn’t salvage the mess:
“Holland flaunts striking directorial flair and committed turns from Nicole Kidman, Matthew Macfadyen, and Gael García Bernal. Yet it’s not enough to untangle the muddled storytelling.”
Screen International piled on, calling the characters flat and the climax underwhelming:
“Endless jabs at suburban monotony choke the life out of the story. The final twists fall flat. While Holland’s characters harbor secrets, they’re not nearly as captivating as the filmmakers seem to think.”
Still, a flicker of praise emerged. Deadline Hollywood Daily hailed it as a stiflingly tense portrait of small-town shadows:
“A masterfully crafted snapshot of suburban claustrophobia and the darkness simmering beneath the Midwest’s picturesque veneer.”
Set in the sleepy town of Holland, Michigan, the film follows Nancy Vandergrout (Nicole Kidman, Big Little Lies), a teacher and housewife basking in a picture-perfect family life. That illusion shatters when she uncovers the sinister secrets her husband Fred (Matthew Macfadyen, Succession) has been hiding. As her world crumbles, Nancy teams up with colleague Dave Delgado (Gael García Bernal, Old) to peel back the layers of deception.
Holland is slated to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on March 27.
