Is The Holdovers Based On A True Story? The 2023 Movie’s Real-Life Inspirations Explained

Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers was one of 2023’s most celebrated original films, raising questions about whether it’s based on actual events. The film takes place at a New England prep school in the early 1970s, where a teacher remains on campus during the holiday break to watch over students with no homes to return to. He ultimately forms an unlikely bond with a trouble-making student and the school’s cook, who’s recently lost her son. Building toward The Holdovers’ powerful ending, each cast member delivers a powerful, unique performance that feels true to life.

Actors Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Dominic Sessa lead The Holdovers cast, delivering heartfelt, emotionally driven performances bound to make any audience feel the weight of the story. The Holdovers offers an incredibly touching, interpersonal narrative, and it was rewarded with astounding critical acclaim, receiving an impressive 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and several major award nominations. The Holdovers was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Paul Giamatti each received acting awards for their roles.

The Holdovers Technically Isn’t Based On A True Story

David Hemingson Based Aspects Of The Holdovers On His Own Life, But It’s Fictional

As candid and authentic as The Holdovers seems, it’s not technically based on a true story. Screenwriter David Hemingson, who previously worked primarily as a TV writer and producer on various shows like Family Guy, American Dad, and many more, wrote the film’s script based on his own life experiences, having been raised in the New England area and attending a prep school in his teen years.

Writing what one knows is one of the most reliable ways to tell a powerful, moving story. While the characters in The Holdovers are fictional, through writing and exceptional casting, they’re brought to life and given distinct voices to make them feel as real as any character in cinema. Hemingson’s life experiences contribute to the movie’s sense of humanity, but many of the characters and events are entirely creative choices.

Which Parts Of The Holdovers Are Inspired By David Hemingson’s Real Life

David Hemingson’s Parents Divorced In 1969, Leading To Events That Inspired The Holdovers

Many aspects of The Holdovers are entirely fictional, but some are actually inspired by Hemingson’s actual experiences. Starting with what’s entirely fictional, Hemingson was only six years old in 1970, and the setting was changed for a particular purpose. For Time, screenwriter David Hemingson wrote an article about the real-life individuals who inspired the story. He explains that 1969, while not the year he was in boarding school, was when his parents divorced, altering the course of his life forever and eventually leading to inspiration for The Holdovers.

The character Angus Tully seems to be directly based on Hemingson, who explains that he had a challenging experience with school due to ADHD and his home life. After repeatedly cutting school, Hemingson explains that his uncle, Earl Cahail, stepped in as a vital fatherly figure, helping him through his youth by teaching him discipline and self-worth. Cahail later became the inspiration for Paul Giamatti’s character in The Holdovers.

Sources: Time