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Holiday films, such as Elf and Home Alone, are often regarded as lighthearted and heartwarming. These films typically depict familiar traditions: over-the-top decorations, childish joy, and family gatherings. The Holdovers, though, doesn’t take the traditional approach that classic holiday films usually take. Set during the Christmas holiday, the film has no magical Christmas miracle, no chaotic family gatherings, and no flashy ornaments, just people confronting their grief and loneliness. Though, despite going against traditional expectations, the film still feels like a classic holiday film.

Obviously, one main aspect of the film is its setting. The film is set during Winter Break in Barton Academy. The academy’s campus is snowy and quiet, with the three remaining characters bonding in the isolated, lonely spaces. The vacancy of the academy creates a feeling of solitude, mirroring the feeling of loss and regrets that the characters experience, their shared vulnerabilities contributing to the cozy environment. The absence of grand holiday parties intensifies the loneliness of the characters, though if there were these traditional holiday parties, it would distract the characters from confronting their feelings and remove the film’s pensive and bittersweet mood. With the film’s characters confined in a setting deprived of familiar comforts, the film allows the holiday to become a space for self-reflection.

The film balances dry humor with melancholy. There are many holiday films that push in the direction of grandiose speeches or theatrical moments of redemption. On the other hand, the film resists that instinct, as its humor is downplayed, and its sentimental moments are subtle, making the story feel authentic. The film shows that personal growth during the holidays doesn’t have to come in exuberant and conspicuous ways. Occasionally, it can appear through uneasy exchanges or subtle gestures.

The core of the film’s storyline is the formation of unexpected friendships. The characters aren’t brought together of their own accord, but by circumstance, forcing them to share this time in solitude, when the world around them was celebrating. Through shared meals and intimate conversations, aligning with what the genre should always emphasize: that the holidays should be a time when people seek company, especially when they feel the most lonely.

The film does not end in a fully resolved manner. Rather than leaving the break with their problems completely solved, the characters leave with a deeper understanding of others and themselves, which makes the story feel more realistic.Ultimately, The Holdovers feels like a classic holiday film because beneath the lavishly decorated Christmas trees and unwrapping of presents, holiday stories have always been about reminding viewers that even when one feels alone, the holidays can gather people together in impactful ways.