A Story of Loss, Belief, and Second Chances

MOVIE REVIEW
Holy Days
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Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Year Released: 2025, 2026
Runtime: 1h 41m
Director(s): Nat Boltt
Writer(s): Nat Boltt, based on the novel by Joy Cowley
Cast: Judy Davis, Miriam Margolyes, Jacki Weaver, Elijah Tamati, Craig Hall, Jonny Brugh
Where to Watch: in select theaters, nationwide March 27, 2026

RAVING REVIEW: HOLY DAYS is built around the idea of putting a grieving boy and three rebellious nuns in a car and sending them on a road trip across New Zealand. Weird, from pretty much every angle, but from there, the story grows into a one about grief, belief, aging, and the ways people find one another when life stops making sense.

Set in 1974, the film introduces Brian, a young boy struggling to process loss. His search for meaning leads him to a small convent populated by three unconventional nuns whose own lives are facing disruption. When the convent is threatened with closure, the women decide to take action in the least traditional way possible. They hit the road in a desperate attempt to save the place they call home. Brian quickly becomes part of their unlikely crew, and what begins as a mission soon turns into a journey stretching across the length of the country. Along the way, the group encounters unexpected obstacles, moments of humor, and emotional revelations that none of them fully anticipated when they first started driving south.

The film leans heavily on its cast, and that decision works in spades. Judy Davis, Miriam Margolyes, and Jacki Weaver bring decades of experience to their roles, and their chemistry forms the backbone of the movie. Watching these three performers interact is easily the film’s greatest pleasure. Margolyes delivers an eccentric yet comedic performance, embracing the character’s mischievous personality with clear enthusiasm. Her timing often provides the film’s biggest laughs. Weaver offers a quieter presence that balances the group dynamic, while Davis brings a sharper, dramatic edge that grounds the story whenever it threatens to drift into pure whimsy. Together, they create a believable sense of long-standing friendship. Even in scenes where the script leans toward predictability, the performers keep the interactions lively.

Elijah Tamati, playing Brian, carries much of the film’s emotion. Child performances can easily derail a film with this much heart, but Tamati avoids the exaggerated sentimentality that often holds back or even ruins similar roles. His performance feels natural and grounded, portraying a kid trying to understand grief without fully knowing how to express it. That makes Brian’s connection to the nuns feel deeper than what you would expect. Rather than becoming a sentimental mascot for the story, he evolves into a true participant in the group’s journey.

Nat Boltt’s direction reflects a clear affection for the material. Adapted from a novel by Joy Cowley, the story is told through a series of episodic encounters as the travelers move further south. Each stop introduces new characters and new complications, gradually revealing more about the emotional lives of the central group. That works well for establishing tone, but it also highlights one of the film’s weaknesses. The narrative often feels a little all over the place, as though it’s drifting from moment to moment rather than building toward a connected destination. Even with that, the setting provides a constant sense of movement and discovery. The New Zealand landscape becomes an important presence in the film, with wide views of the countryside and winding highways reinforcing the feeling of a journey that is both physical and emotional.

The film’s period setting adds character without overwhelming the story. Small details in the costumes, vehicles, and soundtrack help anchor the film in the 1970s while maintaining a tone that feels approachable rather than nostalgic. At its core, HOLY DAYS is a film about connection. Each character is carrying some form of loss, whether it’s the fear of losing a home, the weight of aging, or the confusion of childhood grief. The road trip gives them space to confront those emotions in ways that feel both humorous and sincere.

The film never aims to deliver satire or biting commentary. Instead, it focuses on warmth and compassion, presenting faith less as doctrine and more as a shared search for meaning. That approach will resonate with viewers who appreciate character-driven storytelling, even if it occasionally sacrifices urgency. While the movie may not always push its themes as far as it could, the sincerity behind the story remains its strongest quality. The performances keep the journey engaging, and the film’s core stays intact even when the narrative stretches.

HOLY DAYS works as a character piece anchored by three outstanding actors who know exactly how to command the screen, along with a welcome distraction that helps everyone in the film grow in ways they never expected. The road trip may not always travel the most surprising routes, but spending time with these characters makes the ride worthwhile.

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[photo courtesy of BLUE FOX ENTERTAINMENT, VELVET MOSS, LILY PICTURES, CBC FILMS, CREATIVE BC, ELEMENTAL POST, NEW ZEALAND FILM COMMISSION, NEW ZEALAND SCREEN PRODUCTION GRANT, TÉLÉFILM CANADA]

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