The Holiday

What’s it about?

In the lead-up to Christmas, two strangers trade homes to get a break from their messy love lives, and each ends up finding healing, connection, and new love in the most unlikely places.

The facts

• Directed by Nancy Meyers (It’s Complicated)
• Starring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black and Jude Law
• English language
• Runtime: 136 minutes

Why did it get this rating?

This film was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body. You can find out more about cross-rating here.

Sexual references

The film contains sexual references, mostly within adult romantic contexts. There are a few moments where characters discuss past relationships, sex, or attraction, but the film’s tone is light, comedic, and centred on romance rather than explicit content. No nudity is shown. Strongest scenes include:

• Early in the film, a woman discovers her partner has been cheating on her, and there is brief conversation implying their past sexual relationship.
• Two adult characters sleep together after a date; the scene is implied only, with kissing and the couple waking up in bed the next morning.

Offensive language

The film includes occasional offensive language, including “sh*t”, bloody and crap, mostly used in moments of frustration or emotional upset. The tone is generally light or comedic, and the language is infrequent.

Grief and loss

A character reveals that his wife passed away two years ago, and he has been solo parenting their two girls since.

Another character talks about her parents' divorce and how it emotionally impacted her.

Content that may disturb

After learning her ex-partner is getting married, a character has a moment of emotional distress in the kitchen and briefly considers breathing in the gas from the stove before immediately stopping, airing out the room, and calling it a “low point.” The moment is framed as darkly comedic and is likely to go over younger viewers’ heads, but it may be uncomfortable for those sensitive to themes of mental health.

When content stays with you: 

We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.  

• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Further information 

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?