It’s nearly Christmas in 1970 and the staff and students at the Barton boys’ boarding school are about to leave for the holidays. But there are some who have nowhere to go and this year the thankless task of staying behind and supervising them falls to classics teacher Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti). And unfortunately for these eponymous holdovers, Hunham is the worst possible person for the job: pompous, exasperating, and generally despised. As the lonely days progress, however, he finds himself forming an unexpected connection with troublemaking 15-year-old Angus (newcomer Dominic Sessa) and school cook Mary (Da’Vine Joy Randolph).

Director Alexander Payne reunites with Paul Giamatti nearly 20 years after catching lightning in a (wine) bottle with Sideways, and their second film together is well worth the wait. Beautiful, bittersweet and hilarious in equal measure, this is one of the year’s best.

Oscar winner in 2024 for Best Supporting Actress (Da'Vine Joy Randolph).