It took over a decade for this story to actually hit our screens. Honestly, by the time the cast of Holland Michigan film was finalized, most industry insiders had written the project off as another "Black List" casualty. For the uninitiated, the Black List is where the best unproduced scripts go to gather dust, and Holland, Michigan topped that list back in 2013.
Fast forward to 2025, and we finally got the finished product, simply titled Holland.
The movie is a weird, Hitchcockian trip through a 2000s-era Midwest, full of pastel colors and deep, dark secrets. It’s directed by Mimi Cave—who you might know from the cannibal-dating-horror flick Fresh—and it stars none other than Nicole Kidman. But the journey from a 2013 script to a 2025 Prime Video release was anything but simple.
The Heavy Hitters: Who Actually Made the Cut?
You've probably heard the rumors about the original cast. Back in the day, Errol Morris was supposed to direct, and the film was going to star Naomi Watts and Bryan Cranston. That would have been a completely different vibe. Instead, Mimi Cave took the reins and assembled a trio of leads that honestly feels a bit more modern and unpredictable.
Nicole Kidman plays Nancy Vandergroot. She's a schoolteacher who is basically the human embodiment of "Midwest nice" until she starts suspecting her husband is living a double life. Kidman also produced the thing, which explains why it feels so tailored to her specific brand of "unravelling blonde."
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Then you have Matthew Macfadyen as the husband, Fred. Most of us know him as Tom Wambsgans from Succession, and he brings that same "is he a nice guy or a total monster?" energy to the role of an optometrist who might be a serial killer.
Gael García Bernal rounds out the main trio as Dave Delgado. He’s the shop teacher who helps Nancy spy on her husband. Bernal is great here; he’s charming but has this underlying sadness that fits the early 2000s setting perfectly.
The Full Supporting Cast
- Jude Hill: Plays Harry, the son. You might recognize him from Belfast.
- Rachel Sennott: The indie darling from Bottoms and Bodies Bodies Bodies. She plays a colleague of Nancy's.
- Lennon Parham: Always a welcome presence, bringing a bit of grounded humor.
- Isaac Krasner: A rising face in the industry.
- Jeff Pope: Rounds out the town's local characters.
Why the Year 2000 Matters
Mimi Cave made a specific choice to set the film in the year 2000. Why? Mostly because she wanted to get rid of cell phones and easy GPS tracking. It makes the suspense feel more earned. When the cast of Holland Michigan film is trying to uncover secrets, they have to actually follow people in cars and look at physical Polaroids.
It feels nostalgic but in a creepy way. Think Blockbuster rentals and corded kitchen phones.
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What People Get Wrong About the Filming Locations
Here is a bit of a fun fact: most of the movie wasn't even filmed in Michigan.
Despite the title, the production spent most of its time in Nashville and Clarksville, Tennessee. They did go to the real Holland, Michigan, for about two days to get shots of the Windmill Island Gardens and the actual high school, but the big Tulip Time festival scenes? Those were mostly Tennessee with some archival footage spliced in.
Local businesses in West Michigan were kinda bummed. They expected a month of filming, and they got 48 hours. But hey, that's Hollywood for you.
The Plot Twist (No Spoilers, Sorta)
The movie follows Nancy as she tries to catch Fred cheating. She thinks he’s having an affair because he goes to way too many "optometry conferences." But as the story unfolds, she realizes the truth is way worse. Fred isn't just a cheater; he’s building a model train set in the basement that actually maps out real-life murder scenes.
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It's dark. It's funny in a "is this supposed to be funny?" way. Critics have been pretty split on it, with some loving the "Fargo-esque" tone and others finding the plot a bit thin. On Rotten Tomatoes, it's hovering around a 29%—which is rough, but audiences on Prime Video have been much kinder.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're planning on diving into this one, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Watch "Fresh" first: If you haven't seen Mimi Cave’s first movie, do it. It’ll help you understand her visual style and why she was chosen for a script this weird.
- Look at the background details: Since it’s set in 2000, the production design is top-tier. Keep an eye out for the old-school tech and the specific "Midwest teacher" wardrobe Kidman wears.
- Don't expect a straight thriller: This isn't Gone Girl. It’s more of a melodrama that shifts into a nightmare.
The cast of Holland Michigan film definitely did the heavy lifting here. Even if the script (which waited 12 years to see the light of day) feels a bit dated to some, the performances from Kidman and Macfadyen make it worth the stream if you're into suburban mysteries with a mean streak.