Nicole Kidman’s latest film, Holland, is currently available for streaming on Prime Video, making it a must-see this season. The narrative follows Nancy Vandergroot, a devoted wife, mother, and teacher, who appears to revel in her ordinary suburban life. However, her perception of normalcy is shattered when she begins to suspect that her husband is hiding something, particularly regarding his frequent business trips. Driven by her intuition, Nancy embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind his mysterious absences. Despite receiving a mediocre rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Kidman’s performance has emerged as a standout element of the film.
Critics have lauded Kidman’s portrayal as the film’s strongest aspect, although they have pointed to issues with pacing that detract from the overall experience. It comes as no surprise, given Kidman’s illustrious career, that she infuses energy into what could easily be perceived as a bland character. The film’s direction is also noteworthy, especially considering this is only Mimi Cave’s second feature film. While Holland has garnered mixed feedback, it serves as a reminder that Cave’s debut film is a more compelling viewing experience.
Discover Fresh (2022): A Dark Thriller Exploring Bad Dating by Director Mimi Cave
A Must-Watch for Fans of Holland: Explore Fresh
While Holland delves into a woman’s growing suspicion towards her husband based on limited evidence, Fresh flips the narrative to reveal the dangers of complacency in dating. The film features Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sebastian Stan as Noa and Steve, whose seemingly perfect grocery store meeting spirals into a chilling nightmare when Steve kidnaps Noa. It soon turns out that he harbors a grisly secret: he is a cannibal selling human meat, prompting Noa to fight for her survival.
Mimi Cave demonstrates her ability to portray complex characters, imbuing them with deeper layers than one might expect. Both films initiate with a facade of ordinary lives, but Cave adeptly reveals an unsettling darkness lurking beneath the surface, enhancing the complexity of her characters. Furthermore, she skillfully raises uncomfortable themes through the films’ twists and pivotal character decisions.
Why Fresh Received Significantly Better Reviews than Holland
A Critically Acclaimed Success: Fresh
Upon its release on Hulu in 2022, Fresh quickly garnered praise, achieving an impressive 82% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics highlighted its strong performances, bold directorial techniques, and contemporary themes surrounding womanhood and the dating landscape. In stark contrast, Holland struggles with a disappointing 33% approval rating, where reviewers felt Kidman’s undeniable talent was wasted on a role that failed to maintain interest throughout its runtime and suffered from uneven pacing.
While Holland is criticized for dragging out its predictable twists, Fresh feels fresh and innovative. Despite its drawbacks, Holland does have redeeming qualities that make it watchable, though Fresh definitely stands out as the pinnacle of Mimi Cave’s filmmaking thus far.