Holy Days

“Holy Days” embarks on a charming, if occasionally bumpy, road trip across 1970s New Zealand, following a young boy, Brian, and three delightfully eccentric nuns on a mission to save their convent. The film, directed and co-written by Nat Boltt, shines brightest through its stellar ensemble, particularly the veteran actresses Judy Davis, Miriam Margolyes, and Jacki Weaver, whose “unforgettable performances” and palpable chemistry elevate the material. Young Elijah Tamati also delivers a “superb” and authentic portrayal of Brian, providing the emotional “heart of the film”.

While the premise of an unlikely found family on a spirited quest is inherently appealing and “brimming with heart”, the narrative execution receives mixed reception. Some critics found the story's structure “phony and over-determined”, with a plot that occasionally feels “threadbare” or “clunkier” in its development. The comedic elements are similarly inconsistent; while some moments are described as “tremendous fun” and “very, very funny in spots”, others are noted for targeting “low-hanging fruit” and “consistently fall[ing] flat”.