10 Cannes Films You Can’t Afford to Miss in 2025—Stars and Stories That Will Blow Your Mind!

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As the 2025 Cannes Film Festival begins next Tuesday, a major topic of discussion is which films should absolutely not be missed while strolling along the Croisette.

The Chief Film Critic of THR highlights ten must-see premieres from established filmmakers such as the Dardenne brothers, Kelly Reichardt, Joachim Trier, along with newcomers like Ari Aster, Oliver Hermanus, Carla Simón and Oliver Laxe.

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The THR’s top critic selects ten unmissable premieres from seasoned filmmakers including the Dardenne brothers, Kelly Reichardt, Joachim Trier, as well as rising stars like Ari Aster, Oliver Hermanus, Carla Simón and Oliver Laxe.

Die, My Love

Lynne Ramsay initially caught attention at Cannes with her powerful 1999 debut film Ratcatcher, which portrayed the life of a 12-year-old boy living in poverty within Glasgow’s housing estates. The Scottish filmmaker returned to Cannes three years later with Morvern Callar, and subsequently entered the main competition with We Need to Talk About Kevin in 2011 and You Were Never Really Here in 2017. Fans have been eagerly awaiting Ramsay’s fifth film, a thriller laced with dark comedy, as she puts it. The story revolves around Jennifer Lawrence, portraying a new mother grappling with postpartum depression, deteriorating mental health, and a strained marriage. Robert Pattinson co-stars in the movie, alongside LaKeith Stanfield, Sissy Spacek, and Nick Nolte in supporting roles.

Eddington

Following his success in creating instant cult horror with films like “Hereditary” and “Midsommar,” then veering into unconventional tragicomedy with “Beau is Afraid,” Ari Aster has secured his first entry into the Cannes competition with this modern Western. Joaquin Phoenix plays a small-town New Mexico sheriff alongside Pedro Pascal as the local mayor. This power struggle causes a significant rift among the townspeople, and, according to the film’s trailer, social media only serves to intensify the discord. The impressive ensemble includes Luke Grimes, Clifton Collins Jr., Emma Stone, and Austin Butler.

The History of Sound

Over the past few years, South African filmmaker Oliver Hermanus has been producing a string of notable films. His 2019 release, “Moffie,” was a gripping drama that explored racism and homosexuality within the context of the Apartheid-era military. More recently, in 2022, he released “Living,” an elegant reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s classic, “Ikiru,” featuring Bill Nighy as a London civil servant dealing with his impending death after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis. Hermanus’ latest project is based on Ben Shattuck’s enchanting short story and features Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal as two lovers who embark on a journey together in the summer of 1919, walking great distances to capture the folk songs and ballads of rural New England residents.

The Mastermind

Following the premiere of “Showing Up” at the 2022 Cannes competition, director Kelly Reichardt ventures into a drama that deviates from her usual Pacific Northwest backdrop, instead setting the scene in Massachusetts during the 1970s. Amidst the turmoil of the Vietnam War and the blossoming Women’s Liberation movement, the film follows an unemployed carpenter, portrayed by Josh O’Connor, who executes a bold art heist during daylight hours. However, his life spirals out of control when things take an unexpected turn. The cast also includes Alana Haim, John Magaro, Gaby Hoffman, and Hope Davis.

Romería

After captivating audiences with her 2017 debut film, “Summer 1993”, Carla Simón won the Berlin Golden Bear in 2022 for “Alcarràs”. This deeply personal piece, featuring non-professional actors, tells the story of a family of peach farmers on the brink of losing their ancestral orchard. The narrative once again revolves around the director’s own family, focusing on a young woman who journeys to Galicia for the first time to meet her paternal grandparents, uncles, and aunts. Tragically, both of her parents passed away from AIDS during her childhood. The lingering stigma surrounding her father’s drug addiction makes her relatives hesitant to confront his loss, but she finds a way to come to terms with her painful past on her own terms.

The Secret Agent

Stepping back into the captivating world of Brazilian cinema after many years, I find myself drawn to “Amarração,” starring Wagner Moura and directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, who won the 2019 Jury Prize at Cannes for his inventive anti-colonialist Western, “Bacurau” (co-directed with Juliano Dornelles). Reminiscent of the poignant documentary memoir “Pictures of Ghosts,” set in the director’s hometown Recife, this new film unfolds during the waning years of Brazil’s military dictatorship. At its core is a schoolteacher with a shrouded past, seeking solace in a tranquil sanctuary. As a fan, I can hardly wait to immerse myself in this intriguing tale.

Sentimental Value

Joachim Trier’s final installment of his Oslo trilogy, titled “The Worst Person in the World“, was a standout at the 2021 Cannes competition. It won Renate Reinsve the best actress award and boosted her career on an international scale. Moreover, it earned two Oscar nominations. Collaborating once more with his long-term writing partner Eskil Vogt, Trier features Reinsve in a different role this time – that of an esteemed stage actress. This film presents a moving portrayal of a Norwegian family residing in a house passed down through generations, delving into themes of memory and the healing potential of art. Alongside Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgard and Elle Fanning also lend their talents to this production.

Sirat

In the past, each of Oliver Laxe’s films have debuted at Cannes and earned him an award. Following the success of his captivating slow-burn drama about the impending extinction of rural life in the Galician mountains, titled Fire Will Come, which was awarded the 2019 Un Certain Regard Jury Prize, it was inevitable that this French-born Spanish director would progress from the sidebars to the main competition. The renowned Sergi López portrays a father on a quest for his missing daughter, who embarks on a journey with his son towards a rave in the mountains of southern Morocco where she went missing. They will be compelled to confront their own boundaries during this adventure.

Urchin

2021’s Cannes Film Festival is brimming with debut feature films by actors, such as Kristen Stewart’s “The Chronology of Water,” featuring Imogen Poots as a woman on a quest to discover her voice, express her pain through art; and Scarlett Johansson’s “Eleanor the Great,” where June Squibb plays a 90-year-old who moves from Florida to New York City and develops an unlikely friendship with a 19-year-old student. However, the film that has piqued my curiosity — sparking much buzz early on — is Harris Dickinson’s gritty portrayal of a homeless man in London, played by Frank Dillane, who strives to escape his destructive habits and rebuild his life.

The Young Mothers Home

Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne are highly respected at Cannes, having won the Palme d’Or in 1999 for “Rosetta” and again in 2005 for “L’Enfant.” Their work is often reminiscent of their fellow filmmaker Ken Loach, with a distinctive naturalistic style, political inclinations, and focus on working-class settings. However, their unromantic portrayals of social reality rarely miss the mark when it comes to stirring emotional responses. This upcoming film, featuring five women from challenging backgrounds residing in a shelter as they strive for a better future for themselves and their children, seems likely to be no exception in this regard.

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2025-05-13 07:26