This 100% RT Hidden-Gem Drama You’ve Never Heard of Is the Best Movie of 2025

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There’s nothing quite like stumbling upon a hidden movie treasure, is there? I mean, whether you’re endlessly scrolling through streaming options, digging through old DVDs, or just taking a chance at the cinema, that feeling of *discovering* something special before everyone else is incredible. And often, that search leads you to films that critics and audiences just didn’t get – movies you feel deserve a second look. It’s about championing something overlooked, reframing it, and showing everyone what you see in it – that’s what I call a true cinephile’s passion.

Sometimes, a truly great movie slips under the radar. That’s what’s happening with *Eephus*, a 2025 film that’s getting incredible reviews but hasn’t yet found a wide audience. Despite being a bit sad and slow-paced, it’s surprisingly exciting and memorable. If you love sports movies, comedies, or enjoy discovering new filmmaking talent, you shouldn’t miss *Eephus*.

What is Eephus?

Eephus is a quirky and heartwarming sports movie. It centers around a final baseball game between the Adler’s Paint team and the Riverdogs, played on a dilapidated field that’s about to be torn down to make way for a new school. What makes the film unique is its lack of typical sports movie drama – there’s no attempt to save the field, no intense rivalry, and the game itself doesn’t have any high stakes or significant purpose.

Eephus is a film driven by heartfelt emotions. It explores the challenge of staying connected as communities seem to disappear. Director Carson Lund, with writers Nate Fisher and Michael Basta, created a quietly sad story. While the film’s focus on amateur baseball might not appeal to everyone, it ultimately delivers a powerful message about life, love, and the feeling of being near someone yet emotionally distant.

Eephus is a Critical Darling (& a Breath of Fresh Air For Movie Fans)

Even though *Eephus* wasn’t widely released, it resonated with the smaller audiences who saw it in theaters or on Mubi. The positive critical response was expected, as the film quickly gained a dedicated following thanks to its talented cast and crew. Unlike most movies, where top Letterboxd reviews are usually short and witty or long and analytical, *Eephus* stands out.

I was so touched by Nate Fisher’s review of the film – and it meant even more to learn he’s not just the co-writer and one of the stars, but the author of *that* review! It wasn’t at all what I expected from someone so involved; it wasn’t a clever peek behind the scenes or an inside joke. Instead, he shared a really beautiful story about how he met the director, Carson Lund. He described how they kept avoiding each other, even though they’d run into each other constantly, and how that awkwardness actually became a central idea in the film. It was incredibly moving, and by the end, I was completely rooting for them and desperate to see the movie – and it seems like a lot of other Letterboxd users felt the same way!

The film quickly gained popularity on Letterboxd, racking up 25,000 views and an average rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars. This initial buzz likely spread beyond the platform, encouraging wider audiences to see it after its release. By October 2025, *Eephus* had earned a “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 79 reviews. Critics and viewers alike praise the film’s ability to find humor even in sad circumstances, with many agreeing it strikes exactly the right tone. One reviewer particularly captured the brilliance of Carson Lund’s first feature film, noting its masterful subtlety.

We’re not really watching the baseball game, and the players aren’t truly focused on playing it either. The real story happens in the small moments: the conversations from the dugout, playful teasing in the outfield, the growing pile of empty beer cans, and the changing light of the sky. Tempers flare and cool, church bells ring, and trains rumble past. As day turns into night, there’s no dramatic action on the field. Even when fireworks explode, the camera lovingly focuses on the empty dugout, briefly lit by the distant sparks, rather than the spectacle itself.

This movie provides a welcome escape from everyday worries, gently placing you in a bittersweet, yet relatable, setting. It acknowledges the natural way memories fade and things inevitably change. Like the baseball players in the story, we all have to accept that some challenges can’t be avoided. Just as a game must end, life also comes to a close, and sometimes, things don’t finish as we’d hoped.

Unlike some sports movies that offer familiar, emotionally satisfying storylines, *Eephus* aims for something different. The filmmakers – Lund, Fisher, Basta, and the rest of the team – aren’t trying to create another classic sports film. They’re forging their own path, and if that means telling their story on a neglected, soon-to-be-torn-down baseball field, they won’t hesitate to do so.

The Omnes Film Collective is a Force to Be Reckoned With

Okay, so Carson Lund is a huge part of Omnes Film, as you can tell by the long list of people involved – but he’s definitely not the only talent there. This collective is packed with some seriously exciting, up-and-coming filmmakers, and it all began with…

Tyler Taormina is one of the founders of Omnes and, like Nate Fisher, has successfully built a following online. He first gained attention with his film, *Ham on Rye*, a unique and imaginative fantasy that perfectly captures a particular part of growing up. While the film is surreal, ambitious, and incredibly clever, it’s surprisingly easy to enjoy even if you’re not familiar with surrealist movies.

Following his experimental, non-story-driven films like *Topology of Sirens* and *Happer’s Comet*, Taormina successfully returned to traditional storytelling with *Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point*. This film marked a shift, featuring well-known actors instead of the largely non-professional casts he’d previously used. Since its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival alongside *Eephus*, Taormina’s company, Omnes, has experienced rapid growth. They’ve expanded their team of filmmakers and begun working with international talent, notably Lorena Alvarado and Alexandra Simpson, whose first films have received critical acclaim after limited releases.

Omnes Films isn’t trying to compete with big studios or established indie distributors, but they are doing something valuable. Their work on films like *Eephus* and the upcoming *Raccoon* demonstrates how a collaborative approach can succeed. It helps amplify diverse and often overlooked voices, both at home and abroad. Companies like Omnes are proving that independent cinema thrives when people work together, challenging the traditional system. In a world where even major studios struggle with funding, distribution, and visibility, Omnes reminds us that lasting success comes from community. So, next time you’re choosing a movie, consider giving an unknown indie film a chance – those are the stories that need to be heard.

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2025-10-07 01:40