10 No Other Choice (Park Chan-wook)
One of the best satires I’ve seen in years. I watch Park’s previous film, Decision to Leave, a few times a year (mesmerizing), and I suspect I’ll revisit this one often as well. The first “murder” is a brilliant set piece of drunken, homicidal confusion, all with a gorgeous song blasting at 11. Classic.
9 Lurker (Alex Russell)
A fantastic independent film, shot in LA, filmed economically, and told wonderfully. This isn’t a movie about an obsessed fan; it’s a movie about a guy who is obsessed with becoming bigger by any means necessary. A cautionary tale for who you allow into your circle. Théodore Pellerin gives an excellent performance as a genuine psychopath with nothing to lose.
8 Sentimental Value (Joaquim Trier)
There are two minutes about an hour into this film that may be my favorite two consecutive minutes of cinema this year. It begins with Stellan Skarsgård giving a birthday gift to his grandchild. I dare not reveal what the gift was, but my laughter didn’t stop for the rest of the film. It was my favorite joke in a movie this year. The scene directly after shows Skarsgård having a cigarette with his somewhat estranged daughter (Renate Reinsve, perfect). They say nothing aloud, but communicate everything with their eyes.
7 Cloud (Kiyoshi Kurosawa)
A two-part film of glorious intrigue. The first hour is patient set-up as we watch a psychopathic reseller swindle honest people out of goods and sell them online for a massive profit. Hour two is the fallout of the man’s behavior from the first hour, filmed as an operatic gun battle. This had too quiet of a release in America, but it’s on the Criterion Channel right now for anyone to see. Please check this out.
6 Presence (Steven Soderbergh)
Has this been done before? An entire ghost story shot from the POV of the ghost, and every scene is one shot. Few directors alive have been able to maintain such a skill in blending story and technique. (Also shout out to Black Bag, which Soderbergh released just a few weeks after this film. What a movie madman.)
5 Bugonia (Yorgos Lanthimos)
I have no clue why the release of this movie has been so quiet compared to other Yorgos films, but this thing is an absolute blast. So much better on a second viewing; you can study their faces and see little ticks throughout. I’ll be baffled if this isn’t nominated for a handful of Oscars tomorrow.
4 Nouvelle Vague (Richard Linklater)
Two great films in one year, Richard Linklater does it again with his real-time Blue Moon, and this wonderful ode to the making of Breathless. This film is on Netflix and no one is talking about it. It completely reinvigorated my interest in the French New Wave and my own filmmaking. I’ll be thanking this movie for years to come. Stay tuned.
3 Song Sung Blue (Craig Brewer)
Wow. This thing came out of nowhere and completely captivated me. This is not the type of movie I often enjoy, but goddamn if I didn’t fall for its charm. Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson were fantastic as two real-life lovers who started a Neil Diamond cover band. If the logline sounds lame, I promise the movie is not. (And watch the original documentary on YouTube!)
2 If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (Mary Bronstein)
Rose Byrne gives the performance of 2025 in Mary Bronstein’s If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. I skipped this movie when it was in theaters, which is a damn shame. I’ve watched it three times in the past two months, and it has never left my mind. This is the kind of performance I am always searching for. Honest, raw, funny, and so very real. Maybe she’ll have a chance at winning the Oscar. I hope.
1 One Battle After Another (Paul Thomas Anderson)
No question, from here on it, it’s One Battle After Another. I knew this was the best movie of 2025 as I was watching it the first time. I’ve seen the film 10 times so far, with no sign of slowing down. I love it, I love all of it. PTA has been nominated for 11 Oscars and never won. After tomorrow morning, he’ll likely have 14 nominations to his name. If the Academy does not give him at least one Oscar for this film, it will be the biggest Fuck You from the Academy to one filmmaker that I have ever seen. I hope, for the sake of the Academy’s worth, merit, and credibility, they right this wrong. Hopefully a few times over. Ocean waves.
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