The warm, easygoing, feel good film “Holy Days” isn’t the kind of movie you’ll still be talking about weeks later, but that’s okay. It’s a big-hearted, uncomplicated crowd pleaser built less on surprise than on emotional connection, offering a welcome reminder that sometimes a little sweetness is exactly what a movie needs to deliver for its target audience.
Set in 1970s New Zealand, the story follows Brian (Elijah Tamati), a young Māori boy trying to make sense of his mother’s death. Convinced she’s waiting for him somewhere in heaven, he sets out to find her. Along the way he meets three eccentric elderly nuns (played by Judy Davis, Jacki Weaver, and Miriam Margolyes) who are fighting a battle of their own. The Catholic Church plans to close their convent and force them out, so they hit the road in one last attempt to save the only home they’ve ever known.
It’s an odd pairing, but it works. Brian’s search for peace and the nuns’ refusal to give up on their home become the same journey. The quirky road trip turns into a story about grief, belonging, and the families we build when life doesn’t go the way we hoped.
The cast is nothing short of delightful. Davis, Weaver, and Margolyes have wonderful chemistry, each bringing her own brand of offbeat charm without trying to steal the spotlight. They’re funny in an understated way. This isn’t a laugh out loud comedy so much as a film that aims to keep a smile on your face. Their warmth makes the movie feel inviting, and their friendship with young Brian gives the story its emotional center.
Tamati is terrific as Brian, and his character’s grief never feels exaggerated or sentimental. He’s just a kid trying to understand something impossible, and the film captures that confusion with genuine compassion. It also deserves credit for tackling difficult subjects like loss, dementia, and displacement without making them feel overwhelmingly bleak.
There aren’t many surprises here. The story follows a well worn path which means it’s usually easy to guess where the narrative is headed. The road trip throws a few amusing detours into the mix, but the overall structure feels familiar from beginning to end.
Still, there’s something refreshing about a movie that believes kindness can solve problems. This is a story where empathy matters more than conflict and where people choose compassion over cynicism. Even Brian’s dream of finding his mother in heaven adds a gentle touch of magical realism that keeps the film from feeling too grounded in sadness.
“Holy Days” may not break new ground, but it doesn’t have to. It’s wholesome, sincere, and filled with warmth, offering a pleasant reminder that healing often begins with the people who unexpectedly show up when we need them most.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 