Movies

The Best Movies of 2025 So Far

BBG News

2025 has seen some remarkable films hit the big screen early on, with many more anticipated as we approach the fall film festival season (Venice, Toronto, and Telluride). However, it’s essential not to overlook the movies released during the first half of the year since that’s where many of our favorite films blossom, much like resilient spring flowers ready for a long race. Here are eight outstanding films from 2025’s early releases; there’s still plenty of time to catch up on any you might have missed before awards season gets into full swing.

Sinners

The captivating horror flick “Sinners,” directed by Ryan Coogler, set in the Mississippi Delta of 1932, stands out for its eerie, hypnotic, and at times darkly comical impact. This is achieved by allowing mystery to take center stage, rather than overexplaining events. In this tale, Michael B. Jordan portrays twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, who return from Chicago’s Prohibition era to establish a speakeasy. They recruit their cousin, blues talent Sammie (Miles Caton), for the entertainment. Within hours of opening, the speakeasy is a hit, until a band of vampire hillbilly musicians, led by Remmick, portrayed by Jack O’Connell, politely request entry. “Sinners” is one of the modern era’s outstanding vampire films, delving into the lore of these eternal outcasts yearning for acceptance. Primarily, however, “Sinners” resonates with the enigma of music: the centuries-old difference in how white and black people perceived and felt music, which somehow evolved into a futureworld of blended sounds that continues to evolve today. “Sinners” is graphic, seductive, relentless. Yet, there’s an undercurrent of wistfulness, as if the characters have glimpsed a prospect of freedom, unity, and joy that remains elusive even after nearly 100 years.

Warfare

A war movie doesn’t necessarily require personal combat experience to be exceptional, but a filmmaker who’s been through tough times might bring a deeper truth to their work. Ray Mendoza, an Iraq War veteran, collaborates with the director of ‘Civil War’ and ‘Ex Machina’, Alex Garland, to create ‘Warfare’. The film recounts an event in 2006 when Navy SEALs, including Mendoza, embarked on a dangerous surveillance mission in Ramadi province, Iraq. A series of explosions left two SEALs gravely injured, one being sniper and medic Elliott Miller (portrayed by Cosmo Jarvis). The other SEAL (Joseph Quinn) was also badly hurt during the evacuation when an IED exploded outside the building. The cast, featuring rising stars like D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Charles Melton, and Will Poulter, reenact the events as remembered by those involved. Miller himself doesn’t remember that day, and Mendoza intended ‘Warfare’ to serve as a poignant reminder for him, a tribute to his lived experiences he can’t recall. ‘Warfare’, masterfully produced, offers a gripping real-time account of the harrowing rescue mission, managing to be both refined and raw in its portrayal.

Presence

In some movies, the things left unsaid or unseen can be just as impactful as what’s shown on screen. This ‘negative space’ is an often underutilized tool in filmmaking, requiring faith in the audience to engage with the subtleties and fill in the intentional gaps. The movie “Presence” by Steven Soderbergh, characterized by its brevity, intelligence, and sophistication, exemplifies this technique well. It provides just enough without giving everything away. A prosperous family moves into a desired Victorian home, where matriarch Rebekah (Lucy Liu) wields significant influence. Her husband Chris (Chris Sullivan) generally complies, although he’s mindful that Rebekah favors their son Tyler (Eddy Maday), an accomplished athlete and student, over their daughter Chloe (Callina Liang). Chloe is more reserved and contemplative than her brother. She also seems somewhat ethereal and detached, much like a character from a Val Lewton film, as she cautiously approaches an old mercury mirror above the mantelpiece as if it were a gateway to another realm. Unlike many contemporary horror films, “Presence” offers only one scene of chilling, gradual fear, with no over-the-top psychopaths in heavy makeup, no haunting dolls, and no torturous traps. Instead, it is a unique piece, creating tension while also possessing a poetic core.

One of Them Days

In this vibrant, humor-filled, urban comedy about two struggling friends, Keke Palmer and SZA portray Dreux and Alyssa, best buddies sharing a shabby LA apartment who are on the verge of being evicted unless they manage to find $1500 in one day for rent. Remarkably, this film persisted in cinemas for over three months when many experts had written off traditional theater releases. Clearly, it’s striking a chord with audiences, perhaps by resonating with the challenges people face today in America where income and expenses are on the rise. Palmer and SZA make an electrifying duo; their chemistry crackles, and despite their quarrels, you can sense the strong, sibling-like bond between them. The pair’s playful, witty banter sets the film’s tone, especially its warmhearted spirit. One of Them Days is quick, entertaining, and absurd in all the best ways – a movie that surprisingly leaves you feeling uplifted about life. Misery might prefer companionship, but it craves comedy even more.

Caught By the Tides

If you’ve never experienced a film by the renowned Chinese director Jia Zhangke, Caught By the Tides might initially confuse you. Even if you’re familiar with works like The World (2004) and Still Life (2006), you may still struggle to follow the plot, particularly at the start. However, I encourage you to persevere with Caught by the Tides, a romance that unfolds over two decades. This film offers us an unusual yet enjoyable experience, similar to Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy, where we witness the lead actors grow older realistically on screen.

The narrative commences with Qiaqiao (portrayed by Zhao Tao, a frequent collaborator of Jia and an expressive actress), who is a young woman striving to succeed as a dancer and singer in Datong. She’s smitten with Bin (played by Li Zhubin, another favorite of Jia’s), who informs her that he’s departing Datong to explore opportunities—some of which turn out to be less than honorable.

Over the course of 20 years, Caught by the Tides follows Qiaqiao’s journey from her days as a young dreamer to middle age, where she has come to terms with her circumstances yet seems more content. Jia has been preserving additional footage from his earlier films for years, which allows us to see both younger and older versions of Zhao and Li within the same movie—essentially watching time pass before our eyes.

This is a subtly brilliant film that combines a personal tale, focusing on two individuals seeking their place in the world, with a broader narrative about a nation that, more than 20 years ago, began undergoing rapid transformation minute by minute. Jia’s perspective, and his camera, encompass it all.

Black Bag

In close partnerships like marriages, complacency can lead to disdain. How do you avoid this staleness? Perhaps the enigmatic couples in Steven Soderbergh’s sleek spy thriller, Black Bag, hold the secret. Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett portray George and Kathryn, a husband-and-wife duo working for Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre. As George begins to suspect that his devoted wife, Kathryn, might be a mole involved in a dangerous cyber plot threatening nuclear catastrophe, he is torn between hope and the need for answers. Soderbergh’s movies are known for their speedy production and light-hearted approach, which may be why they never seem overly complex or somber. In essence, Black Bag can be described as a stylish, witty, and tantalizing treat – more like an appetizer than a full meal. While it might leave you craving more, wouldn’t you rather savor a well-prepared small dish on a pristine plate, or be served a mountain of monotonous mush that bores you before you finish it? Black Bag excels in its sophisticated style and quick-witted humor, and the captivating allure of its leading actors.

I’m Still Here

1971 found Brazil under military rule, with Rubens Paiva, a former congressman, forcibly disappeared after being taken from his home for questioning and never seen again. His wife Eunice tirelessly sought his release, but when she accepted the grim reality of his absence, her focus shifted to preserving the unity of their large, tight-knit family. The acclaimed drama “I’m Still Here,” directed by Walter Salles, recounts Eunice’s story. Though based on true events, the film has a gripping, suspenseful quality, thanks to Salles’ skill at creating and maintaining tension. At its core, however, the story resonates with profound human emotion. Fernanda Torres, a Brazilian actress, received an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Eunice Paiva, and it’s clear why. Initially, Torres portrays Eunice as a graceful matriarch and loving spouse, the kind of person who binds a family together through her vibrant presence. However, when faced with immense adversity and pushed to her limits, Eunice displays an inner strength she never knew she possessed. Throughout this powerful yet elegant performance, Torres illustrates the true essence of resilience.

The Shrouds

David Cronenberg’s movie, titled “The Shrouds“, isn’t typically impressive as a thriller: the plot seems hastily assembled, and even though it’s resolved rather sloppily at the end, there’s an enigmatic, tender quality to this film about sorrow and potential rebirth that lingers. Vincent Cassel portrays Karsh, a man still grieving over his wife’s recent demise; in various dream sequences, Diane Kruger plays his wife. Karsh has developed a unique shroud, allowing the living to observe the decomposition of the deceased, thereby bridging physical closeness with death. He has also commercialized this technology, setting up a cemetery filled with these special tombs. One night, the cemetery is robbed; graves are disturbed and their wireless connections disabled. Karsh’s sister-in-law (again played by Diane Kruger) and ex-brother-in-law (Guy Pearce) assist him in investigating this mystery, while he himself grapples with reclaiming life. The heart of “The Shrouds” lies in Cassel’s performance. He embodies grief as a tangible, vibrant energy that seems to resonate through his lean, agile form.

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2025-06-04 14:07

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