1. The Holdovers (2023 movie)
Set in 1970, 'The Holdovers' follows Paul Hunham, a curmudgeonly history teacher at a New England boarding school, who is tasked with supervising students unable to go home during the Christmas break. Among them is Angus Tully, a troubled student, and Mary Lamb, the school's cook mourning her son lost in the Vietnam War. Together, they form an unlikely bond, navigating personal grief and forging connections that transcend their differences. Directed by Alexander Payne and starring Paul Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, and Dominic Sessa, this heartfelt drama has been lauded for its authentic storytelling and compelling performances.