Anticipating the Best Films of 2025: A Speculative Top 25 Countdown

Summary:

This video presents a speculative list of the top 25 films of 2025, moving beyond traditional year-end reviews to anticipate future cinematic excellence. The list includes a diverse range of genres and directorial styles, highlighting films like Akinola Davies Jr.'s "My Father's Shadow," Wes Anderson's "The Phoenician Scheme," and Steven Soderbergh's "Black Bag." As the countdown progresses, the presenter delves into more detailed analyses of the top films, offering insights into their themes, technical achievements, and emotional impact.

Key themes across the top selections include:

Memory and trauma in Jafar Panahi's "It was Just an Accident."
The redefinition of studio filmmaking with "Sinners," a blend of genres and cultures.
The psychological impact of dictatorship and memory in "The Secret Agent."
Park Chan-wook's "No Other Choice" exploring digital alienation and societal violence.
Oliver Lax's "Sarat" as a sensory journey through grief.
Joachim Trier's "Sentimental Value" on family disconnect and art.
Kelly Reichardt's "The Mastermind" deconstructing male narcissism.
Koshi Kurasawa's "Cloud" on the grim consequences of online life merging with reality.
Josh Safdie's "Marty Supreme" portraying the American dream's relentless pursuit.
Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" as a defining modern masterpiece about love and connection in a new world.

Image for the #1 film "One Battle After Another." [ 00:17:10 ]

Introduction and Honorable Mentions [00:00:00]

The presenter introduces a speculative list of the 25 best movies of 2025, a departure from the usual 20-film list due to the abundance of quality cinema anticipated.

The title card for "Honorable Mentions." [ 00:00:20 ]

Seven honorable mentions are provided:
- Kill the Jockey
- Sorry Baby
- The Testament of Anne Lee
- Urchin
- The Naked Gun
- Peter Hujar's Day
- Jay Kelly

The Top 25 Films of 2025: Part 1 (25-11) [00:00:26]

The initial segment of the list covers films from number 25 down to number 11, with brief descriptions for each.

25. My Father's Shadow [00:00:28]
- Directed by Akinola Davies Jr.
  
  Two children looking up from "My Father's Shadow." [ 00:00:31 ]
24. 28 Years Later [00:00:30]
- Directed by Danny Bole.
  
  A man with a bow and arrow standing with a child in "28 Years Later." [ 00:00:32 ]
23. Black Bag [00:00:33]
- Directed by Steven Soderberg.
  
  An explosion in a forest scene from "Black Bag." [ 00:00:36 ]
22. Friendship [00:00:37]
- Directed by Andrew D. Young.
  
  Two men seated in a film still from "Friendship." [ 00:00:39 ]
21. Mickey 17 [00:00:41]
- Directed by Bong Jun Hoe.
  
  A man in a spacesuit from "Mickey 17." [ 00:00:41 ]
20. The Love That Remains [00:00:44]
- Directed by Lemur Palmason.
- Described as gorgeously shot and darkly funny.
  
  A family of four walking through a vast, green landscape from "The Love That Remains." [ 00:00:48 ]
19. The Phoenician Scheme [00:00:50]
- Directed by Wes Anderson.
- A film that grew on the presenter throughout the year.
  
  Characters stand in a desert landscape with a car, characteristic of Wes Anderson's style, in "The Phoenician Scheme." [ 00:00:49 ]
18. Die My Love [00:00:54]
- Directed by Lynn Ramsay.
- Left the presenter and an entire screening room "unusually stunned."
  
  An intimate scene between two people in "Die, My Love." [ 00:01:00 ]
17. Train Dreams [00:01:01]
- Directed by Clint Bentley.
- Praised for being incredibly sensitive and gorgeously told.
  
  A man in a hat looking out over a body of water at dusk in "Train Dreams." [ 00:01:06 ]
16. Weapons [00:01:07]
- Directed by Zack Kger.
- Voted as the most fun theatrical experience of the year.
- Described as "Magnolia as a horror movie," being funny, scary, and compelling.
  
  A school building with cars and buses parked outside in "Weapons." [ 00:01:10 ]
15. Eddington [00:01:19]
- Directed by Ari.
- A film that improves with time, offering a critical and reflective look at American society.
- Not a "fun" movie but provides a means for reflection.
  
  Two men standing in the middle of a street in a small town from "Eddington." [ 00:01:24 ]
14. The Incredible Nino [00:01:34]
- Directed by Pauline Looks.
- A wonderful directorial debut about a young man reflecting on his life and relationships.
- Features tender direction and a phenomenal central performance by Theodore Pellerin.
  
  A young man smiling while hugging someone in "The Incredible Nino." [ 00:01:45 ]
13. Pillion [00:01:48]
- Directed by Harry Lighton.
- Hailed as the "romcom of the year" in a year of genre-reshaping romantic comedies.
- Considered the most successful, unique, and rewatchable of its kind.
  
  A man with dark curly hair looks at someone intently in "Pillion." [ 00:01:49 ]
12. Blue Moon [00:02:02]
- Directed by Richard Linklater.
- The presenter's favorite Linklater film in years.
- An "absolutely heartbreaking watch" featuring one of Ethan Hawke's best performances.
  
  A man in a hat is seated at a bar in "Blue Moon." [ 00:02:10 ]
11. If I Had Legs, I'd Kick You [00:02:13]
- Directed by Mary Bronstein.
- Described as an "absolute anxiety attack of a film."
- Features an incredible performance by Rose Byrne and a clear directorial vision.
  
  A woman looking distressed with her hands covering her mouth in "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You." [ 00:02:20 ]

The Top 10 Films of 2025 [00:02:27]

10. It was Just an Accident [00:02:34]

Directed by Jafar Panahi, this film tells the story of a man who, after being imprisoned, believes he recognizes his torturer by the sound of a prosthetic leg.

Plot and Narrative Style
- Follows a slow, tense process of doubt and resurfacing trauma.
- Panahi's unassuming direction, partly due to filmmaking constraints, allows actors to interact with the space and creates narrative uncertainty, leading to a stressful viewing experience.
- Single-shot coverage avoids specific viewer perspective, making memories more prominent by filling empty spaces.
- A key moment uses simple sound design to place the viewer in the protagonist's head, resonating long after.
  
  A white van in a desert landscape with a single tree in "It was Just an Accident." [ 00:02:50 ]
  
  A man and a woman sitting on the ground next to a small tree in a vast desert from "It was Just an Accident." [ 00:03:21 ]
  
  A close-up shot of a person's foot with a prosthetic leg component, emphasizing the sensory detail in "It was Just an Accident." [ 00:03:31 ]

9. Sinners [00:03:37]

Described as the first great film of 2025, it represents the potential for studio filmmaking in 2025.

Studio Filmmaking Potential
- A skilled filmmaker uses the best resources to blend familiar genres and tones, offering something new yet personal.
- Successfully reinvents the vampire movie, serves as a love letter to blues and black culture, and comments on faith.
- An unforgettable thrill ride with a strong ensemble cast and exceptional score by Ludwig Gansson.
- One particular scene is highlighted as a reason for attending movies.
  
  A man in a suit crouching in a grassy field with a cloudy sky in "Sinners." [ 00:03:55 ]
  
  A man speaking in a dimly lit room with others in the background, a scene from "Sinners" suggesting a focus on blues and black culture. [ 00:04:10 ]
  
  A man with blood on his face and sharp teeth, representing the vampire element in "Sinners." [ 00:04:12 ]
  
  A train arriving at the "Clarksdale" station, evoking historical blues and black culture in "Sinners." [ 00:04:26 ]

8. The Secret Agent [00:04:47]

This film is a 70s-style spy thriller, drawing aesthetics from that era, Brazilian classics, and Italian giallo.

Aesthetics and Plot
- Rich vibrancy in every scene, led by an incredible central performance from Wagner Moura.
- The story follows a man living amidst political turmoil in 1970s Brazil, attempting to start over with a new identity in Reie.
- Best enjoyed with minimal prior knowledge.
Themes and Impact
- Explores memory and storytelling, particularly concerning those who disappeared.
- A moving depiction of life under dictatorship and the psychological toll.
- Manages to be silly, sexy, bone-chilling, and heartbreaking simultaneously.
- Praised as "timeless filmmaking" that will likely grow in appreciation.
  
  A man walks through a vibrant, bustling street scene in Brazil from "The Secret Agent." [ 00:04:50 ]
  
  A title card reading "BRAZIL 1977" with a street scene in the background from "The Secret Agent." [ 00:05:14 ]
  
  A hand holding a torn black and white photograph of two men in "The Secret Agent," symbolizing memory and disappeared persons. [ 00:05:31 ]
  
  Two men pushing a wrapped body over a railing into water in "The Secret Agent," indicating its thriller genre. [ 00:05:39 ]

7. No Other Choice [00:06:03]

Park Chan-wook delivers an entertaining and adventurous film about a recently laid-off man who decides to eliminate job competition.

Filmmaking Prowess
- Endlessly enjoyable wit through creative use of screens, POV camera choices, and a blend of slapstick and gore.
- Park Chan-wook's understanding of the cinematic potential of the "digital hell we're living in" is genius.
- Leans heavily into comedy, reminiscent of a "f***ed up Billy Wilder movie," but ultimately becomes a tragedy.
- Explores how society and abandoned systems lead to violence, rather than inherent evil in individuals.
- Features a cleaner, more focused narrative arc compared to his usual complex plots.
Critiques and Enjoyment
- Not subtle in its critiques of capitalism.
- Despite serious themes, it remains one of the most enjoyable watches of the year.
  
  The title card for "No Other Choice." [ 00:06:01 ]
  
  A series of passport-style photos of various men, labeled as candidates, in "No Other Choice." [ 00:06:17 ]
  
  Hands assembling intricate metal parts, representing the creative use of objects and problem-solving in "No Other Choice." [ 00:06:36 ]
  
  A man holding a potted plant over his head, an absurd yet striking image from "No Other Choice." [ 00:07:23 ]

6. Sarat [00:07:29]

Oliver Lax's intense film centers on a father and son entering a desert rave in search of a missing daughter.

Sensory Experience
- The plot is best discovered by the viewer.
- Sonically, the film is drenched in dark, pulsating techno, creating an inescapable atmosphere, unlike "Climax."
- The music is meant to be "felt," not just heard, defining the film's appeal as a sensory experience.
- Sound design and cinematography are impactful without being overly explicit.
Themes of Grief and Escape
- Rooted in the central emotion of grief, exploring overcoming loss in a violent world.
- Characters seek escape in desolate places, ignorant of geographic and political conditions, as a means of processing.
- Raises questions about when processing turns into avoidance, and if true escape is possible.
- Abstract design, but its "intense and unforgiving attack on the senses" leaves a lasting impact.
  
  The title card for "Sarat." [ 00:07:27 ]
  
  A large outdoor rave in a desert setting with people dancing and massive speakers in "Sarat." [ 00:07:50 ]
  
  A towering stack of large audio speakers in a desert landscape, central to "Sarat's" sonic experience. [ 00:08:25 ]
  
  A convoy of military trucks driving on a desert road, indicating the violent world theme in "Sarat." [ 00:08:42 ]

5. Sentimental Value [00:09:22]

Joachim Trier's film explores an old film director's complicated relationship with his family, particularly his daughter, who refuses to be in his latest film.

Emotional Depth and Family Dynamics
- The film carries a deep sadness, leaving a lasting impression rather than eliciting immediate tears.
- Successfully captures the feeling of emotional disconnect within a family.
- Navigates emotional disconnect within the memory of a house that has lived through generations.
- Examines how art is used to process these complex emotions.
Exceptional Performances
- Features "better acting across the board" from a cast including Renata Reinsve, Ingvild Holthe Bygdnes, Lilas, Elle Fanning, and Stellan Skarsgård.
- Trier's ability to bring life to family dynamics makes every relationship believable.
Themes of Life and Imperfection
- Like Trier's "The Worst Person in the World," it avoids neatly resolving characters' lives or problems.
- Embraces the idea that while we may grow from experiences, we might repeat mistakes, finding beauty in this imperfection.
  
  A woman with a serious expression, serving as the title card for "Sentimental Value." [ 00:09:20 ]
  
  An older director (Stellan Skarsgård) and a young American actress (Elle Fanning) being interviewed on set in "Sentimental Value." [ 00:09:35 ]
  
  A woman with tears in her eyes, conveying emotional depth in "Sentimental Value." [ 00:09:52 ]
  
  A man and a woman in bed, sharing an intimate, happy moment in "Sentimental Value." [ 00:10:32 ]

4. The Mastermind [00:11:01]

Kelly Reichardt's "The Mastermind" is highlighted as one of the year's favorite movie-going experiences, showcasing her signature slow cinema style.

Style and Narrative
- Reichardt's slow cinema, often seen as pretentious, directly converses with the narrative.
- The story follows a man whose delusions lead him to ruin his life, serving as an "anti-Marty Supreme."
- A crime film about a man on the run, every second is riveting due to Reichardt's mastery of tone, which is jazzy and darkly funny.
- Features a hazy brown and gray color palette with a jazzy score.
Deconstruction of Masculinity
- A fantastic deconstruction of a specific kind of masculinity: the lone hero traditionally portrayed as a genius despite narcissism.
- Here, the protagonist is a "royal dumbass" who makes continuous wrong turns, ruining his life in slow motion.
- Brilliant performance by Josh O'Connor as James, who is both intentional and reckless.
- Focuses on the selfishness common in modern culture, illustrating how a life of only taking leads to profound loneliness.
  
  Two figures move through a museum hall with paintings on the walls in "The Mastermind." [ 00:11:40 ]
  
  A man in a garage jumping rope, illustrating the protagonist's reckless energy in "The Mastermind." [ 00:12:01 ]
  
  A man with a stocking over his head, a visual representing the crime film aspect in "The Mastermind." [ 00:12:24 ]
  
  A man examining a painting intently in "The Mastermind," reflecting on the protagonist's delusions and "genius" self-image. [ 00:12:46 ]

3. Cloud [00:13:16]

Koshi Kurasawa's "Cloud" resonates deeply with the presenter due to its hyper-specific depiction of the anxieties of online existence.

Online Reality and Consequences
- The film portrays the scary reality of jobs like the presenter's (talking to oneself in an office, listened to by strangers online).
- The plot involves a young man who resells items online, which puts his life in danger.
- Kurasawa's direction employs bleak tones, static shots, and obscured visions, culminating in a "human embodiment of a nightmare" that is both silly and unnerving.
- Explores the idea that digital actions don't always feel real and their consequences are often unseen.
- Hypothesizes what it would be like if online selves and their consequences manifested in the real world, portraying a grim dystopian vision.
Societal Commentary
- An accurate depiction of society in 2025, where many exist more online than in real life.
- Represents a cinematic trend of showing society's breakdown due to the internet.
- Argues that society has already reached a point of "hell" due to this digital disconnect.
  
  The title card for "Cloud." [ 00:13:14 ]
  
  A computer screen displaying multiple images of an item for sale with prices and "SELL" buttons, representing online reselling in "Cloud." [ 00:14:40 ]
  
  A miniature figure in a glass dome being photographed, symbolizing the digital representation of items in "Cloud." [ 00:14:37 ]
  
  A man sitting at a desk being questioned by a police officer, illustrating the consequences of online actions in "Cloud." [ 00:14:13 ]

2. Marty Supreme [00:15:08]

Josh Safdie's much-anticipated follow-up to "Uncut Gems," "Marty Supreme," is described as bigger in every conceivable way.

Grand Scale and Meticulous Craft
- Features a larger cast, higher stakes, broader context, and bigger performances.
- The plot centers on a man's relentless ambition to become the world's best ping-pong player.
- Every aspect of the film, from production design and costumes to performances, score, lighting, camera movement, and plot, exhibits an incredible level of care.
- While exhausting due to its density, Safdie's ability to avoid going overboard is mesmerizing.
Timothy Chalamet's Performance and Themes
- Timothy Chalamet's central performance is noteworthy, embodying a role seemingly designed for him.
- Chalamet, a prominent figure in new Hollywood, leads a film about ambitions colliding with the world's relentless rejections.
- Despite the protagonist's insufferable nature, the film makes you root for him, a "magic act" given the numerous subplots.
- Ultimately, the film is not about ping-pong but the American dream, its sacrifices, urgency, and inevitable tragedy.
- Mirrors the intense drive of younger generations, serving as a reminder of why they pursue greatness.
  
  A man in glasses with a mustache, likely Timothy Chalamet, playing ping-pong in a formal setting from "Marty Supreme." [ 00:15:14 ]
  
  Timothy Chalamet as Marty Supreme in a dynamic ping-pong stance, highlighting his performance in "Marty Supreme." [ 00:16:00 ]
  
  A newspaper headline featuring a picture of Marty Supreme, indicating his rising fame and the film's broader narrative in "Marty Supreme." [ 00:16:11 ]
  
  Three men in suits walking away from an airplane on an airfield, conveying the grand scale and international scope of "Marty Supreme." [ 00:15:56 ]

1. One Battle After Another [00:17:13]

Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" is unequivocally named the year's favorite movie and a true masterpiece.

Defining Film of the Year
- This film is recommendable to everyone, transcending personal taste due to its quality and ability to capture the current moment.
- The plot revolves around a former revolutionary whose daughter goes missing.
Technical Brilliance and Acting
- Technically stunning in both visuals and sound.
- Johnny Greenwood's sporadic piano score brings a unique blend of beauty and chaos.
- Vista Vision cinematography, while unassuming, delivers memorable and defining shots.
- Features electric acting across the board.
Profound Themes
- Addresses contemporary issues like fatherhood in a dying world and the internet's impact on sanity.
- Explores the paradox of time: "Time doesn't exist, yet it controls us anyway."
- Anderson, known for period pieces, embraces the modern day, a refreshing departure from older filmmakers rejecting the new world.
- A welcoming film about learning to live in the new world, reflecting the filmmaker's own journey.
- Proves that love, happiness, and connection can triumph amidst disconnect and isolation, offering a deeply refreshing and overdue message in the current cinematic landscape.
  
  The title card for "One Battle After Another," featuring a close-up of a man's expressive face (likely Joaquin Phoenix). [ 00:17:10 ]
  
  A tall, illuminated border wall at night, symbolizing the "dying world" and societal divisions in "One Battle After Another." [ 00:17:21 ]
  
  A close-up of a sleeping baby, representing the theme of fatherhood in "One Battle After Another." [ 00:17:25 ]
  
  A pregnant woman in a field holding a rifle, a powerful visual reflecting themes of revolution and the new world in "One Battle After Another." [ 00:18:53 ]