Over the next two weeks I’ll count down my ten favorite movies of 2025, and tomorrow and Friday will be a quick recap of the films sitting at the 11-20 spots. So I figured I’d spend today listing some of the titles that surprisingly fell outside of my top 20.
I don’t dislike any of these films — I like some of them quite a bit — but for one reason or another they didn’t resonate with me as much as I expected based on their pedigree.
I’ll break the movies down into three categories:
Best Picture Nominees
F1
A sturdy sports drama that hits all the expected beats with flair. I regret not seeing this one on the big screen.
Hamnet
I appreciated the craft but was never caught up emotionally, much to my surprise.
Frankenstein
I’ve loved so much of Del Toro’s grand, gothic work, but this one dragged on and lacked his usual poetic imagery.
Sentimental Value
I want to see this again to understand why it didn’t quite click for me despite so many strong elements.
Notable Auteurs – Male Division
Black Bag
Steven Soderbergh delivers a high-gloss spy thriller with sexy star power courtesy of Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett.
Highest 2 Lowest
Spike Lee gives a modern New York spin to Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece High and Low with mixed results.
Jay Kelly
Noah Baumbach’s wistful look at an aging movie star never quite knows what it wants to be and ends up landing with a thud.
The Shrouds
David Cronenberg processes his wife’s death as only he can, with a twisted sci-fi blend of sex and body horror.
Notable Auteurs – Female Division
Die My Love
Lynn Ramsay’s psychodrama about postpartum depression is beautifully acted but a bit too vague and repetitive.
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Mary Bronstein gets a superb performance from Rose Byrne as the frazzled mother of a special needs child.
Sorry, Baby
I wish I loved this movie, because Eva Victor is clearly a mega-talented triple threat. I’m excited for what she does next, even if this one came up a bit short for me.
The Testament of Ann Lee
Mona Fastvold deserves points for originality, crafting a historical musical about the founding of the Shaker religious movement.
I don’t wanna lose my mind
I don’t wanna lose myself
Tell me if I crossed a line
I ain’t tryna hurt myself
Didn’t wanna call your name
Only got myself to blame, oh yeah
In my world, in my mind, always runnin’ out of time
In my love, in my heart, you’re the only kryptonite
But I, but I wait for you
Still, I wait for you
[Chorus]
Yeah, it feels
So good, I might just lose my mind
No question if it’s wrong or right
Ain’t no way to tell which way it’s gonna go
Yeah, but it feels
So good, I might just lose my mind
No question if it’s wrong or right
And now it’s too late, no way to take it slow (Oh)
[Verse 2: Doja Cat]
Yeah
Bounce back when bottles is on me
I’m pushin’ a new pen, rewritin’ the story
Hello to my old ways, goodbye to the nosebleeds
You fightin’ to stay here, you probably ODin’
Ain’t finna pop for no reason
I don’t throw shots, I run legions
I been goin’ over the top where no queen been
Die with no regrets, this is my season
Itch to pull trigger, gift that keep givin’
None to wrap up, I ripped a new ribbon
They wanted to catch up, wanted my good riddance
You saw me at rock bottom, you wanted a new winner
I paved the way for ’em
Take the pain, doubled it, put it in wave form
Safe to say trouble ain’t what you was made for
Keepin’ the rang on
I told ’em all game on the minute I came on
[Chorus]
Yeah, it feels
So good, I might just lose my mind
No question if it’s wrong or right
Ain’t no way to tell which way it’s gonna go (Yeah)
Yeah, it feels
So good, I might just lose my mind
No question if it’s wrong or right
And now it’s too late, no way to take it slow (Oh)
Meet Me In Montauk 