Nomadland (out Dec 26) is centred on a 60-something-year-old widower (Frances McDormand) who, after losing her house and job in 2011, now travels around the United States in a simple van. Largely using non-professional actors, director Chloé Zhao pulls you into this world and makes you feel part of it. There's no huge character transformations or a “they all lived happily ever after” finale. It’s the kind of movie that asks you to observe and reflect. Grade: A-.