Hollywood is buzzing over Nicole Kidman’s latest project, Holland—a film hyped as her “wildest, weirdest role yet.” But insiders now claim the Oscar winner’s much-anticipated freak show performance was shockingly watered down, leaving fans asking: What went wrong?
The psychological thriller, directed by indie darling Lila Voss, was pitched as Kidman’s big swing into uncharted territory. Early teasers showed her as a reclusive artist with a penchant for taxidermy and cryptic rituals, sparking rumors of an “unhinged, career-defining turn.” But critics who caught advance screenings say the film sidelines her eccentricity, reducing Kidman’s character to little more than a “glorified cameo” in her own story.
“The script kept rewriting itself to tone her down,” reveals a production source. “Studio execs wanted something safer for awards season. Nicole’s full vision—snarling monologues and jarring costumes—got axed. What’s left is just… strange for the sake of strange.”
Fans aren’t holding back either. Social media erupted after the trailer dropped, with one viral tweet joking, “Nicole Kidman in Holland is like watching a tiger trapped in a teacup.” Others blame the director’s messy pacing, arguing the film’s surreal subplots (think: sentient puppets, a talking hedge) hijack the spotlight. “It’s all style, no teeth,” complained a film blogger. “You keep waiting for Nicole to snap, but she’s stuck playing straight woman to a bunch of CGI raccoons.”
Kidman, known for fearless roles in Destroyer and Big Little Lies, hasn’t addressed the backlash. But co-star Jesse Plemons hints at behind-the-scenes chaos: “We shot three different endings. One week, Nicole’s character was a murderer; the next, she was a misunderstood poet. The final cut? Honestly, I’m still confused.”
Despite the drama, Holland is trending everywhere—proof that even a messy Kidman flick beats no Kidman. Will it salvage its Oscar hopes? Or is this another case of Hollywood neutering its boldest stars? Either way, the real freak show here might be the studio’s editing room.
Holland hits theaters October 13. Grab your popcorn—just don’t expect Nicole to pass the salt.