Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The Holdovers turns a Christmas-break stranding at a New England boarding school into an exquisite comedy-drama about people who have run out of easy ways to hide their hurt. Alexander Payne’s film is funny without making its characters’ pain a punchline, and moving without smoothing away their rough edges. It is a five-star holiday movie with real bite—and one worth seeking out.
What is The Holdovers about?
Written by David Hemingson and directed by Alexander Payne, this 2023 comedy-drama unfolds over Christmas break in 1970 at a New England prep school. Paul Hunham, a curmudgeonly instructor, is left to look after students who have nowhere else to go. The one who remains is Angus Tully, a bright, troubled student with his own reasons for being difficult to reach. Mary Lamb, the school’s head cook, is grieving the death of her son in Vietnam. Their uneasy time together becomes an unlikely bond. Focus Features’ film page lists the film as rated R, with a runtime of 2 hours 14 minutes.
Why the comedy works alongside the grief
The film’s comic bite comes from the distance between how these characters behave and what they need. Hunham reaches for rules, cutting remarks and intellectual superiority; Angus pushes back rather than accept the role of a grateful child; Mary’s steadiness does not mean her grief has become manageable. Their sharp exchanges are funny because the characters are specific, not because the film treats their pain as a joke.
Payne lets humor and melancholy occupy the same scenes. A joke can reveal a defense mechanism; a moment of warmth can feel fragile instead of neatly healing. That balance keeps the holiday setting from turning into a promise that loneliness will disappear by Christmas. The Associated Press aptly called it “A holiday movie with some bite,” praising its nostalgia and humor while noting that it remains grounded in the characters’ difficult circumstances. Read the AP review.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Three performances, three different kinds of isolation
Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham
Giamatti makes Hunham’s prickliness entertaining without making it the whole character. His rigid manner and barbed judgments suggest someone more comfortable correcting people than letting them close. As the teacher’s authority gives way to the awkwardness of actually caring for a student, Giamatti makes the change feel earned rather than sentimental.
Dominic Sessa as Angus Tully
Sessa gives Angus a restless intelligence that keeps the character from becoming simply a rebellious teenager or a lesson for Hunham. He can be provocative and vulnerable in quick succession, and his friction with the teacher feels like a clash between two people who recognize more of themselves in each other than they would like.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mary Lamb
Randolph brings Mary a composed presence that does not erase her loss. Her grief is part of her life, not a plot device the others can solve. That distinction gives the trio’s connection its emotional credibility: support can matter even when it cannot undo what happened.
How the 1970 setting shapes the film
The period look does more than signal nostalgia. A school break, an old-fashioned institution and the film’s unhurried rhythms create a world in which these characters are stuck together long enough for irritation to deepen into attention. The setting’s warmth is a contrast, not a disguise: the winter holiday can be picturesque while the people inside it remain lonely.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Payne told the Associated Press, “We were very fully making a ’70s movie.” The AP reports that the production used filmmaking equipment and camera lenses from the period and was mixed in mono. Those choices support the film’s sense of time as part of its texture, rather than a modern story dressed in a few vintage decorations. The AP’s report and review provide that production context.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Recognition and where to watch or own it
The Holdovers received five Academy Award nominations: Best Picture, Best Actor for Paul Giamatti, Best Supporting Actress for Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Best Original Screenplay for David Hemingson, and Best Film Editing. The film opened in limited US release on November 10, 2023, before expanding wide on November 22, 2023, according to Focus Features’ release announcement.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment confirms DVD and Blu-ray editions in its home-video announcement. Peacock also has an official The Holdovers streaming page; check the service for current availability in your territory.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
