Holes
Directed by Andrew Davis
- adventure
- family
- drama
- comedy
The story
After being wrongfully convicted for stealing a pair of shoes, Stanley Yelnats is sent away to Camp Green Lake, a boys detention facility where inmates are forced to dig holes all day in the hot desert sun as a form of character building. As he endures the brutal routine, Stanley begins to uncover a hidden truth behind the camp, one that connects to a dangerous secret—and possibly Stanley’s family itself.
What it’s like
Hot, washed-out desert light dominates: bleached dust, pale sky, and sun-scorched earth that makes every frame feel dry and airless, with the camp's flat, open terrain stretching to the horizon. The camera is mostly steady and unfussy, with bright, saturated flashbacks to a 19th-century backstory that shift into warm, colourful storytelling. Its sound is an upbeat, playful score, with the constant clank of shovels and heat-shimmer silence between bursts of mischief. The vibe is wry, sun-baked and warmly absurd, a mix of heat-bleached grit and cheerful oddity that suits a lazy afternoon or a comfort watch with someone younger. The pace is brisk and episodic, with the story moving between the camp and the past. Its emotional register is hopeful and wry, following a bruised, overlooked boy slowly finding loyalty and self-belief among outcasts. Intensity is low: some bullying, scuffles and the menace of harsh authority figures, but no gore, and violence stays brief and mostly comic. It's for families and for adults wanting a funny, gently touching adventure with a sly sense of humour.
More films like Holes
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Holes and we’ll explain which ones fit you.
