Hollywood Reporter Critics Pick the 10 Best Films of 2025 So Far

Caught by the Tides

Jia Zhang-ke’s film, imbued with melancholy and poetic undertones, centers around a character portrayed by Zhao Tao. This woman leaves her hometown, an industrial city in decline, to find a past love who has disappeared. The movie serves as a retrospective on China’s contemporary history, but also on Jia’s cinematic work, mirroring recurring themes, landscapes, filmmaking methods, and narrative structures. Additionally, it utilizes footage captured at different times from 2001 to 2023, similar to Richard Linklater’s Boyhood. — David Rooney

Ghost Trail

Focusing on a Syrian refugee seeking justice against his past tormentor in France, Jonathan Millet’s film showcases an intense emotional depth and remarkable restraint. Millet demonstrates a keen understanding of the intricacies involved in paranoid thrillers; opting for closeness and lucidity over complex stylistic or narrative complexities; and featuring two exceptional actors: Adam Bessa, radiating both soulfulness and movie-star charisma, and Tawfeek Barhom portraying a villain whose human qualities make him all the more unsettling. — Jon Frosch

Love

In a review, Leslie Felperin praises Dag Johan Haugerud’s dramedy as delightful, honest, thoughtful, and daringly talkative. The movie explores dating customs in the app era by following the intertwining storylines of two coworkers (a female doctor and her male nurse). The film offers intriguing insights into themes like friendship and romance.

Materialists

As a gamer diving into the latest cinematic adventure, I must say Celine Song’s subsequent film to the 2023 Oscar nominee, Past Lives, is a captivating exploration of contemporary love, self-worth, and the struggles of navigating relationships in an expensive urban jungle. Intriguingly, this filmmaker-turned-playwright presents the three corners of a romantic triangle – with Dakota Johnson as the matchmaker, Pedro Pascal as her affluent suitor, and Chris Evans as her struggling actor ex – all with equal depth and empathy.

On Becoming a Guinea Fowl

In Rungano Nyoni’s unsettling yet compelling second film, a Zambian family grapples with allegations, admissions, and re-emerged secrets following the demise of an enigmatic uncle. The director deftly navigates various tones, infusing the somber narrative with comedic interludes, suggestions of the surreal, elements of mystery, and bursts of anger. This blend creates a chilling portrayal of complicity – Lovia Gyarkye.

One of Them Days

In the world of gaming, I’ve just discovered a side-splitting buddy comedy, masterfully directed by Lawrence Lamont, that keeps me hooked! The story revolves around two vibrant L.A. friends, Keke Palmer and SZA, who find themselves in a tight spot – facing eviction. As the day wears on, their desperate attempts to scrape together rent money lead to some wildly outrageous schemes. This rollercoaster ride transforms their story into an all-too-familiar American saga about battling against capitalism’s odds. It’s exactly the kind of big-laughs, midbudget cinematic adventure that I crave for more often – L.G.

One to One: John & Yoko

In one of his best works yet, director Kevin Macdonald provides an in-depth look at a pivotal year in the life of the former Beatle and artist. By using captivating archival footage along with clips from a 1972 benefit concert, he creates a documentary that is both moving and inspiring. The film effectively transports viewers to the heart of the countercultural movement, offering a unique perspective on a generation’s spiritual awakening and reminding us of the optimistic future that young people once envisioned. – Sheri Linden

Presence

Experiencing a thrill, it’s reassuring to realize at the outset of a movie that you’re in capable hands, and Steven Soderbergh swiftly communicates this trust with his edge-of-your-seat ghost story. The roles of Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Eddy Maday, and Callina Liang are those of a family on the verge of collapse as they settle into a new residence. From the get-go, it’s apparent that the house will play a pivotal role in the narrative. What makes this well-executed horror film even more intriguing is the perspective from behind the camera, which not only lends depth to the story but also gives it its haunting title. — D.R.

Here’s another option:

Feeling energized, it’s comforting to understand at the start of a film that you’re in reliable hands, and Steven Soderbergh quickly establishes this trust with his suspenseful ghost story. The characters portrayed by Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Eddy Maday, and Callina Liang are those of a family on the verge of disintegration as they take up residence in a new home. It’s obvious from the outset that the house will be central to the plotline. Moreover, the perspective from behind the camera, which is significant both dramatically and chillingly, contributes to the film’s title and adds an eerie quality to this skillfully crafted horror tale. — D.R.

Both versions aim to convey the same meaning while using slightly different phrasing for a more natural and engaging read.

Sinners

In the hands of Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler, their latest joint project presents a vivid depiction of life in the Jim Crow era, blending elements of gritty vampire horror, profound musings on the influence of blues music, and a symbolic representation of the pursuit of freedom. This unique blend, which defies traditional genre boundaries, seamlessly combines the sophistication of art house cinema with the raw intensity of grindhouse films. The result is an emotionally charged, blood-soaked cinematic experience that, despite its seemingly incongruous elements, succeeds brilliantly thanks to masterful direction, a stellar cast led by Wunmi Mosaku’s standout performance, immersive visuals, and music that resonates deeply while keeping hearts racing. — D.R.

Warfare

A group of talented young actors including Charles Melton, Cosmo Jarvis, and Kit Connor headline this intensely engaging 90-minute real-time portrayal of a U.S. sniper unit in Ramadi, Iraq during the height of an al-Qaeda insurgency in 2006. The film, co-written and directed by Alex Garland along with Ray Mendoza, a former Navy SEAL who was part of the mission, stands alongside other gripping war dramas such as The Hurt Locker and Black Hawk Down. – D.R.

You’ll find this article in the June 18 edition of The Hollywood Reporter. Consider subscribing for more updates like this.

2025-06-18 16:24