1974, the New Zealand outback. Childhood is not so easy in changing times. In a tale of love, tenderness, and the importance of letting go after a loss, Holy Days is a new comedy that can be a feel good film for international audiences. Amidst a family tragedy, the characters learn valuable life lessons. The viewer gets to follow them along the way and to experience a road trip in the New Zealand outback.
Young Brian Collins (Elijah Tamati) feels separated from his family and finds refuge and comfort with three silly eccentric elderly nuns. Sister Agnes (Judy Davis), Sister Luke (Miriam Margolyes) and Sister Mary Clare (Jacki Weaver) live at a rundown convent which itself faces shutting down. To save the day, the three take Brian on an adventure like no other.
Writer-director Nathalie Boltt has crafte something quite pure in the story she has created. Made for every generation — young and old — you will recognize some element of life. The youthful innocence of childhood and the life lessons you learn as you age. They are combined with the parents and the fun the nuns have in their old age becoming that typical menace to society we could expect.
Working hand-in-hand, the beautiful scenery in New Zealand is combined with genius road trip music. It is honestly quite easy to fall in love with the outback. The landscape is vast and wide, reminding you of just how much is out there to explore. When it comes to exploring oneself, somehow getting out in the world just seems to fit perfectly within the realm of the plot. Then, add in some tunes and you have got yourself a car ride. As the music feels upbeat and triumphant, Sister Agnes, Luke and Mary Clare bring Brian all over.
In fact, the three Sisters and Brian hold an even bigger part in the love and entertainment of Holy Days. Though this greatly comes from the creation of their individual character styles, it comes more importantly from the casting. With wit and perfect banter, Davis, Margolyes and Weaver riff off each other at just the right points. Bringing impeccable line delivery, you cannot help but laugh at these “last three of the dinosaurs”.
It is very important for these three, whom Brian looks up to the most, to be able to present to the audience an emotional connection. Well, they go way beyond that. For those of us who remember our grandparents — whether religious or not — the sisters can remind us of how loving and caring grandmothers can be. Almost as if an indirect adoption as a grandchild, Brian is always on their mind and they do want to do what is best for him. Even if they are attempting to save the convent at the same time.
For such a young actor, Tamati brings home the soul of the film. As much as it is a race against time to save their convent, it becomes more about love, loss and letting go. As we get to know Brian, we see so much pain and anger in him. In fact, Tamati uses the right cues from the others around him and gives us the chance to feel Brian’s pain in ourselves. Brian may believe that he is helping the sisters save their home, when in fact it quickly becomes clear he is running away from his life.
Together, the three sisters and Brian will work hard to save each other. Giving each the chance to learn, grow, love and move on. Holy Days is a bubbly and funny little tale. Three old sisters and one small boy take on the open road and, hopefully, live to tell the tale. Prepare yourself for some silly “shenanigans”, as they would say, and go watch Holy Days releasing in UK cinemas from Friday, August 14, 2026.