How The Holdovers Impacted Dominic Sessa’s Life: Two Years Later, He Reflects on Its Importance

Dominic Sessa in ‘The Holdovers’; Dominic Sessa.
Credit:

TCD/Prod.DB / Alamy; Noam Galai/WireImage

NEED TO KNOW

• Dominic Sessa discussed his breakout role in The Holdovers during the world premiere of his new film, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.
• The actor expressed his gratitude, stating he “can’t not owe everything to that film.”
• Sessa portrays a magician in the latest installment of the Now You See Me series.

Dominic Sessa has quickly become a rising star in Hollywood. The 23-year-old actor gained acclaim for his role in The Holdovers, where he starred alongside industry veterans Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph. Earlier this month, he took on the role of magician Bosco Leroy in Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, the third film in the popular heist franchise.

At the film’s premiere in New York City on November 10, Sessa reflected on his experience in the industry. “I can’t not owe everything to The Holdovers,” he shared. Sessa elaborated, stating, “It changed my life. I was so blessed to work with Paul and Alexander, and just the way that all came about was magical. I got the audition for that in my high school acting class.”

Dominic Sessa at the premiere of ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ in N.Y.C. on Nov. 10, 2025.

Noam Galai/WireImage

“To be here and doing all of this only a couple of years later, it’s … I can’t not owe everything to that film,” Sessa emphasized. He is also set to star as ‘70s-era Anthony Bourdain in the upcoming biopic Tony. Reflecting on joining the Now You See Me series, Sessa expressed a mix of excitement and nervousness. “I guess we had a bit of nervousness about if we were going to be accepted by the group because the original cast is so close and they have such a fun banter with each other,” he recalled.

However, he quickly discovered shared humor with original cast members Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, and Isla Fisher, along with fellow newcomers Justice Smith and Ariana Greenblatt. “But very quickly we realized we all have very similar senses of humor,” Sessa noted, adding, “Nobody had to change who they were to get along, which is gratifying when you can just be yourself in a group of people.”

Dominic Sessa (left) as Bosco in ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’.

Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate

Sessa’s comedic experience on set was enriched by his interactions with his co-stars. “That’s tough. It’s stuck between Isla and Woody, but them together? Game over,” he remarked. “Woody definitely, yeah, always just finding a new joke or something every scene, making it funny if he can.”

Set against the backdrop of a snowy New England boarding school, The Holdovers tells the story of Professor Paul Hunham, played by Giamatti, who is left with two misfits during the holiday break: head cook Mary Lamb and student Angus Tully, portrayed by Sessa. The film has received critical acclaim, with Sessa winning an Independent Spirit Award for best breakthrough performance and a Critics’ Choice Movie Award for best young performer, alongside Giamatti and Randolph, who both won Oscars for their roles.

Dominic Sessa and Paul Giamatti in ‘The Holdovers’ (2023).

Seacia Pavao / FOCUS FEATURES

Looking ahead, Sessa has two upcoming projects, including one where he stars alongside Michelle Pfeiffer and Denis Leary in the holiday film Oh. What. Fun.. Additionally, he is set to appear in Tow, a drama inspired by true events, featuring Rose Byrne and Octavia Spencer.

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t is currently in theaters, while The Holdovers is available for digital rental or purchase.