Holland’s Dud: A Reformed Perspective

Holland, a new thriller directed by Mimi Cave and available on Prime Video, promises to explore the dark secrets hidden beneath the picturesque facade of Holland, Michigan. As a Holland resident myself, I was intrigued to see my city portrayed on the big screen. Unfortunately, the film falls short of expectations.

Right from the start, Holland is filled with more plot holes than a block of Swiss cheese. The story seems to set up interesting themes like racism in a seemingly perfect community, but fails to follow through. The character of Squiggs Graumann, who appears briefly as a potential villain, disappears without explanation, leaving many loose ends.

Even the portrayal of everyday life in Holland misses the mark. The Vandergroot family’s Dutch traditions feel forced and unrealistic, and the setting itself, while partly filmed in Holland, does not quite capture the essence of the city. The cast, comprised of talented actors like Nicole Kidman and Gael Garcia Bernal, still struggles to bring authenticity to their MichiDutch characters.

Despite a few nods to local favorites like Zehnder’s and Zingerman’s, the film’s inaccuracies overshadow these small details. From a misrepresented Greenville to questionable breakfast choices, Holland misses the mark on capturing the nuances of life in Michigan.

While the movie attempts to blend genres like thriller, drama, and dark comedy, it never quite finds its footing. Fans of filmmakers like M. Night Shyamalan or Jordan Peele may be left disappointed by the lackluster execution of what could have been a captivating story.

In the end, Holland falls short of its potential, with a confusing plot and unresolved loose ends. The decision to bypass theaters and head straight to streaming seems telling, and the last-minute title change hints at behind-the-scenes struggles. While the concept had promise, the final product leaves much to be desired.

In a film filled with dream sequences and unanswered questions, it’s hard to discern what is real. And much like the miniature recreation of Holland within the story, the movie itself feels like a fake version of reality. The layers of confusion in Holland mirror the tangled tracks of a toy train set, leading viewers down a puzzling and unsatisfying journey.