10) F1
This harmless blockbuster focuses on racer Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), who is convinced by his friend to save his F1 team, forcing Hayes to confront his past. The cinematography, sound design, and effects are impressive, using creative camera tricks and a good mix of special and practical effects.
Aside from that, the editing is choppy, especially during conversation scenes. Brad Pitt is charming, and their attempts to display Sonny’s trauma are genuine, but predictable. The expected sports cliches are presented, and ‘F1’ never tries to drift away from them. It succeeds at being passable entertainment; it won’t have any lasting effects; ‘F1’ is streaming on Apple TV+.
9) Frankenstein
Guillermo Del Toro’s interpretation of the classic novel explores the tumultuous relationship between Dr. Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) and his Creature (Jacob Elordi). While the movie is stellar, important sequences are bogged down by unsubtle writing, and it’s evident that Del Toro put more thought into the Creature’s pain than Victor’s pain.
Nevertheless, ‘Frankenstein’ maintains emotional fluency, with Elordi’s evoking deep empathy. The practical effects, costumes, transformative makeup, and grand set design graciously develop the world and characters. The movie has pacing issues, but the performances, world-building, and the sensitive second half draft a satisfying narrative; ‘Frankenstein’ is on Netflix.
8) Hamnet
Exploring the relationship between Agnes (Jessie Buckley) and William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal), and the birth of ‘Hamlet’, director Chloé Zhao combines raw intensity with angelic beauty. Where ‘Hamnet’ truly shines in its performances and writing, with Buckley delivering an intense performance. Paul Mescal carries a hidden pain, blending with Agnes’ outward suffering, bearing a painful burn.
‘Hamnet’ rests on Agnes’ shoulders, and her innocence makes the moments of sorrow more potent, but Zhao’s direction avoids becoming emotionally manipulative. The movie could have developed some ideas further, such as the connection between Agnes and Mary, but the acceleration of emotions leads to one of the most beautiful endings of 2025; ‘Hamnet’ is available on Prime Video.
7) The Secret Agent
In Kleber Mendonça Filho’s thriller, we follow Marcelo (Wagner Moura), trying to escape his past, before being drawn into the turmoil of 1977 Brazil. Filho’s film bursts with personality from every frame as he passionately crafts these picturesque images that feel ripped from 1977.
This film is held together by Wagner Moura’s distraught performance, which serves as a vessel to explore political injustice. The stakes are exponential, showing the normalization of political violence, and the longer running time helps build tension. While some parts feel meandering or rely heavily on exposition, ‘The Secret Agent’ is a masterclass in suspense and performance; ‘The Secret Agent’ will be on Hulu, March 1st.
6) Sinners
In this film, nominated for sixteen Oscars, we follow Smoke & Stack (Michael B. Jordan), attempting to restart their lives, only to be interrupted by invasive forces. Director Ryan Coogler’s bold direction incorporates engaging camera movements, strong characters, and exceptional music to rope the audience into the characters’ lives.
Coogler’s passion for this story is evident, creatively incorporating African American history and horror to juxtapose the unchanging prejudice with the U.S. While there are many strengths, the special effects don’t blend with the scenery, and the tonal shifts could have been fleshed out further, but ‘Sinners’ has proved itself to be an instant classic littered with amazing characters; ‘Sinners’ is on HBO MAX.
5) Train Dreams
Weaving through the tragic life of Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton), a forgotten skeleton of American history in the early 20th century, director Clint Bentley creates a heavily meditative film whose loose plot crescendos into a poignant climax.
Adolpho Veloso’s cinematography is stunning, capturing the beauty and horrors of the American wilderness, helping viewers immerse themselves in the deep wilderness alongside nuanced characters. The narration can dilute the subtlety, but the atmospheric direction supports a somber exploration of a forgotten life; ‘Train Dreams’ is on Netflix.
4) Bugonia
In this remake of ‘Save the Green Planet’, Teddy (Jesse Plemons), a conspiracy theorist fueled by a vendetta, kidnaps a powerful CEO (Emma Stone), convinced she’s an alien set to destroy the Earth. Director Yorgos Lanthimos delivers a unique vision while respecting the original’s critique of corporations.
Lanthimos interjects fluid camera tricks, a bombastic score, and pronounced character writing to empathize with Teddy’s pain. Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone are delivering tour-de-force performances, and while the idiosyncratic style can be obnoxious to some, its relevant themes will keep the film in conversation; ‘Bugonia’ is on Peacock.
3) One Battle After Another
In this political thriller, we shadow ex-revolutionary Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio) on a mission to save his daughter from an old enemy (Sean Penn). Paul Thomas Anderson’s intense direction utilizes expressive visual storytelling that treats the audience with respect. The characters contain a broad depth, contributing to further discussion surrounding the current political climate.
The cinematography sweeps us through endless tension, with Johnny Greenwood’s score amplifying the rhythmic tension throughout a tightly paced film. PTA has created something that will be discussed in film circles for years to come; ‘One Battle After Another’ is on HBO MAX.
2) Marty Supreme
The most unrelenting film nominated for best picture follows the journey of egotistical table tennis player, Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet), to prove his talent, resulting in unprecedented chaos. Josh Safdie creates a high-stakes odyssey of anything goes antics, spearheaded by an Oscar-worthy performance by Chalamet.
Safdie’s film bleeds with excess, from the in-your-face cinematography, frantic editing, dynamic score, and a fun soundscape, thrusting the audience deeper into hell. Marty’s unlikability can be a turning point for audiences, but the lightning-fast pacing will enthrall others; ‘Marty Supreme’ is available on Prime Video.
1) Sentimental Value
This family drama, depicting two sisters (Renate Reinsve & Inga Isbsdotter Lilleaas) and their tumultuous relationship with their filmmaker father (Stellan Skarsgård), remains my favorite movie of 2025. Joachim Trier has crafted a poignant and subtle piece, diving into the family’s trauma with sensitivity.
The four main performances by Reinsve, Lilleaas, Skarsgård, and Elle Fanning respect the script’s nuance, resulting in consistent emotional gut punches. The film effortlessly blends time through its thoughtful editing, resulting in a pacing that builds ambiguity. The character feels nearly four-dimensional, creating an irresistible attraction to its meticulous script, resulting in an ending that gave me full-body chills; ‘Sentimental Value’ is available on Prime Video.
The 98th Academy Awards will begin at 6 p.m. CT, on March 15. The program can be viewed on ABC or Hulu.
