Holy Days Parent Guide

Bereft by his mother’s death, young Brian Collins (Elijah Tamati) finds consolation in visiting the nuns who were close to her. Busy and compassionate, Sisters Agnes, Luke, and Mary Clare (Judy Davis, Miriam Margolyes, and Jacki Weaver) are unaware that the convent’s days are numbered. But the building is falling down around them and when the diocese decides to sell off the valuable land and put the nuns out to pasture, the sisters come up with a desperate plan.

Although Sisters Mary Clare and Agnes are reluctant to retire, they are even more determined to protect Sister Luke from the harsh dementia care facility to which she will be sent. Resolved to find a legal remedy, the sisters decide to consult with Sister Patricia (Tanea Heke), a former nun who now lives on New Zealand’s South Island and not only practices law but also holds the legal papers proving the nuns’ ownership of their land. Patricia happens to be Brian’s aunt, and since he wants to get away from his father and new girlfriend, Brian begs to come along on the cross-country car trip. Brian also hopes to climb a mountain that is sacred to his mother’s Maori clan – and reach her again.

Holy Days is an unexpected pleasure. A small, quirky little film with plenty of heart and laugh-out-loud lines, this production reminds us that Hollywood doesn’t have a monopoly on films that are worth watching. The actors are excellent, playing their parts with sincerity and wry humor. The story is touching, the New Zealand scenery beautiful, and the 1970s vibe entertaining. If you enjoy offbeat movies that touch your heart, Holy Days is a good choice.

I should point out that this film does come with some negative content, the most obvious of which is substance use. Characters smoke cigarettes frequently, and this is treated both as a necessary stress reliever and as something to be celebrated. They also consume alcohol and the priest is frequently drunk or hungover. Otherwise, profanity is infrequent, violence minor, and sexual content minimal (although there is brief buttock nudity in a swimming context). Parents will also be unenthused by a plot that condones car theft, bribery of a police officer, and profiting from gambling. 

Despite these moral grey areas, Holy Days celebrates the bonds of family, friendship, and sisterhood. The strong affection between the three elderly nuns is incredibly touching and grounds the film. This is a movie that celebrates finding loyalty, compassion, and courage amidst the messiness of life. Its characters follow the sage counsel of Sister Mary Clare, “Store up your blessings in heaven but enjoy your blessings amongst the living.” Amen.

About author

Kirsten Hawkes

Kirsten Hawkes has a BA in Political Science and English and has worked in international development and medical education and marketing. Kirsten enjoys reading, watching movies, and debating politics with her husband and sometimes unwilling children.