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“The Holdovers” is an American comedy-drama Christmas film released in October 2023. Starring Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, “The Holdovers” follows the unexpected genuine bonds that formed between a troubled student, a strict, classics history teacher, and a grieving school cook, during the Christmas holiday. Set against the nostalgic backdrop of 1970s Christmas, “The Holdovers” masterfully navigates universal themes of friendships, loneliness, and grief. With its heartwarming narrative and moving performances, “The Holdovers” receives early critical acclaim and is already being dubbed as a modern holiday classic. The success of “The Holdovers” is evident as it swiftly dominates this year’s most prestigious award ceremonies, with Paul Giamatti securing the Best Actor award at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards. With such significant wins, “The Holdovers” has positioned itself as a prime contender in the upcoming 2024 Academy Awards, solidifying its status as a breakthrough film in the realm of holiday cinema.
“The Holdovers” is available to stream on Peacock TV. However, Peacock TV is only available in the US and is geo-restricted in Canada, so you must subscribe to a VPN provider to access the service.
“The Holdovers” is also available for rent and purchase on video-on-demand (VOD) services such as Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube Movies, and Microsoft Store.
For physical media enthusiasts, you can also buy “The Holdovers” on formats like DVD and Blu-ray
This article will discuss each streaming option and compare them to see which platform can deliver the best “The Holdovers” viewing experience.
Table of Contents
1. Peacock TV
You can stream “The Holdovers” on Peacock TV. The movie streams in HD with subtitles.
Peacock TV supports devices like smartphones, smart TVs, laptops, PCs, game consoles, and media players. Peacock TV doesn’t offer free trial periods.
However, Peacock TV is only available in the US and is geo-restricted in Canada, so you must subscribe to a VPN provider to access the service.
How to Watch “The Holdovers” Movie on Peacock TV in Canada
The only way to watch the “The Holdovers” movie on Peacock TV in Canada is by using a VPN service:
- Subscribe to a VPN service. (ExpressVPN is our #1 recommendation)
- Download and install the VPN app on your preferred device.
- Connect to a server in the US.
- Open the Peacock TV website or app, then sign up for an account.
- Prepare a US-issued form of payment. Peacock accepts debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), as well as PayPal.
- Once registered, search for “The Holdovers” in its library, hit play, and start streaming.
Tip: A VPN bypasses geo-restrictions, improves online security by encrypting your data, protects your privacy by hiding your IP address, allows secure browsing on public Wi-Fi networks, and can even give you discounts on certain online purchases.
Using a VPN is legal in Canada, but Peacock TV blocks IP addresses connected to VPNs. But don’t worry, our top VPN recommendation, ExpressVPN, has proven to be a secure and trusted service that can effectively bypass Peacock’s geo-restrictions in Canada.
With ExpressVPN, you get a 30-day risk-free trial with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you use the link below:
To watch “The Holdoves” on Peacock TV, sign up for an account and subscribe to any of the following monthly plans:
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Simultaneous Streams | Video resolution |
| Premium (with ads) | $5.99 | $59.99 | 3 devices | 720p to 4K Ultra HD |
| Premium Plus (ad-free) | $11.99 | $119.99 | 3 devices | 720p to 4K Ultra HD |
2. Apple TV
Apple TV is a digital video-on-demand service owned and operated by Apple Inc. It offers thousands of movies and TV shows for rent and purchase. You can buy “The Holdovers” on Apple TV for CAD$29.99 and rent it for CAD$24.99. On Apple TV, you can watch “The Holdovers” in 4K resolution with a dynamic HDR10+ format and Dolby 5.1 surround sound. It includes accessible features like Closed Captions (CC) and Audio Descriptions (AD) designed for viewers with hearing and vision disabilities. English, French, and Spanish subtitles are also available.
3. Prime Video
Prime Video is Amazon’s video-on-demand store where users can buy or rent digital copies of movies and TV shows. “The Holdovers” is available for purchase on Prime Video for CAD$29.99, while rentals cost CAD$24.99. It plays in 4K resolution but does not include any subtitles.
4. YouTube Movies
YouTube Movies is the video-on-demand store of the YouTube platform. It offers digital copies of movies and TV shows for rent and purchase. On Apple TV, you can buy the full-length “The Holdovers” movie in UDH for CAD$29.99 and rent it for CAD$29.99. The film includes a Closed Captions (CC) feature.
5. Microsoft Store
The Microsoft Store is an online distribution platform where users can buy or rent digital products, including movies and TV shows. At the Microsoft Store, “The Holdovers” is available for purchase in SD, HD, and UDH quality, for CAD$29.99. You can also rent the film in the same video resolutions for CAD$24.99. Once you choose Rent, you will have 14 days to start playing the film and 48 hours to finish it.
What Is the Best Streaming Option to Watch The Holdovers in Canada?
The best streaming option to watch “The Holdovers” in Canada is through subscription-based streaming services – in this case, Peacock TV. For a fair starting price of $9.99, Peacock TV provides access to more stories and genres for users to explore, making it a diverse and cost-effective entertainment solution. Whereas if you buy or rent the film video-on-demand platforms, it costs more than the most expensive plan on Peacock TV. This is also beneficial if you don’t always have the time or budget to make separate transactions for every film you want to watch. Moreover, subscription-based services like Peacock TV offer more flexibility and accessibility. When renting, for example, you can only play a movie within a certain period, whereas subscription-based platforms give you the freedom to play any content, anytime, as long as you have a decent connection. Buying or renting films digitally can also exceed your devices’ storage capacity, unlike subscription-based platforms, which only require a decent Internet connection.
What Is The Holdovers About?
Set in the 1970s, the story follows Paul Hunnam, a bad-tempered classics professor at Barton Academy, an expensive all-boys boarding school. For the Christmas break, Hunham is tasked with supervising the “holdovers,” or the students who won’t be going home. The students were ultimately picked up by their families, except for Angus Tully, a smart yet troubled pupil in Hunham’s Greek history class. This leaves Hunham, Angus, and Mary Lamb, Barton’s head cook who’s coping with her son’s death, the only occupants at the school. As the holiday approaches, the trio gains a deeper understanding of each other’s troubles and aspirations, unveiling an unexpected and profound connection.
Who Directed The Holdovers?
The Academy Award-winning American filmmaker Alexander Payne directed “The Holdovers” based on a story written by David Hemingson. The film is produced under Miramax and Gran Via while Focus Features handles its distribution.
Who Are in the Cast of The Holdovers?
The movie stars “Billions” actor Paul Giamatti alongside Da’Vine Joy Randolph from “Only Murders in the Building,” alongside newcomer Dominic Sessa. Here’s the main cast of “The Holdovers”:
- Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham
- Dominic Sessa as Angus Tully
- Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mary Lamb
- Carrie Preston as Miss Lydia Crane
- Brady Hepner as Teddy Kountze
- Ian Dolley as Alex Ollerman
- Jim Kaplan as Ye-Joon Park
- Michael Provost as Jason Smith
- Andrew Garman as Dr. Hardy Woodrip
- Naheem Garcia as Danny
- Stephen Thorne as Thomas Tully
- Gillian Vigman as Judy Clotfelter
- Tate Donovan as Stanley Clotfelter
- Darby Lily Lee-Stack as Elise
Who Are the Main Characters of The Holdovers?
The main characters of “The Holdovers” are:
- Paul Hunham – A cynical, classic history professor at the Barton Academy who is assigned to supervise students who are not able to go home for Christmas.
- Angus Tully – A quick-witted Barton student who can’t go home during the Christmas break. Angus grapples with depression and has difficulties navigating his impulsive behavior.
- Mary Lamb – Barton’s head cook coping with the sudden death of her son.
Why Is The Holdovers So Popular?
“The Holdovers” resonated well with audiences for its universal themes of loneliness, grief, and the unexpected bonds we make through these. The main cast’s impeccable chemistry and compelling performances also won the hearts of many, earning them major awards at the prestigious Golden Globe Awards and Critics Choice Awards. The film is set in the 1970s, which taps a sense of nostalgia among viewers, ultimately adding to its overall appeal.
What Do Critics Say About The Holdovers?
Critics received “The Holdovers” with overwhelmingly positive reviews, with many considering it one of the best films of 2023. The film was praised for its compelling character study, Payne’s atmospheric direction, and the main cast’s moving performances. The film is also the recipient of several major accolades, including a Best Actor Golden Globe for Paul Giamatti and Best Supporting Actress for Da’Vine Joy Randolph.
“The Holdovers” is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an approval rating of 96%. See why critics love the movie:
- “Each scene is a small gem, the ensemble work is as good as it gets, and the screenplay by David Hemingson is smart, funny, and touching. This is one of the best films of the year, with career-best work by all involved.” – Movie Mom
- “Giamatti has a ball here as a glass-eyed grump, but he’s a known quantity. The lupine Sessa is the revelation; it’s a gutsy move putting him in a movie theater scene watching Dustin Hoffman, but it’s no accident.” – San Diego Reader
The Holdovers Fans and Community
Revisit the cozy Christmas spirit at the Barton Academy with “The Holdovers” inspired fan items such as tote bags, pint glasses, and clothing, all available on Focus Features and NBC’s official online shop.
