The Best Movies of 2025 (So Far)

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve found myself navigating the whirlwind of awards season, filled with debates and unexpected twists – not forgetting the continuous stream of natural and human-made disasters. Yet amidst all this chaos, some lesser-known gems have managed to shine through. Here are nine such movies that studios usually release during the quieter months, often overshadowed by the Oscar contenders later on. However, their underdog status doesn’t diminish their value or creativity. Case in point: the unusual blend of Shakespearean drama and video game world in films like ‘Grand Theft Auto’s Hamlet’. Despite the bustle, Vulture’s film critics have been keeping a close eye on these hidden treasures. Here, I’ll guide you through the must-watch movies from the past few months that are worth your time and attention.

All movies are listed by U.S. release date, with the most recent movies up top.

Last Breath

In the hands of director Alex Parkinson, we find ourselves immersed in the intricate mechanisms and pressure-handling devices employed by deep-sea saturation divers within his gripping underwater survival drama. From the get-go, we’re plunged into a vivid, tactile environment that sets the stage for suspense. The film, titled Last Breath, reenacts a chilling 2012 event where a diver was trapped without oxygen while repairing a North Sea gas pipeline. By familiarizing us with these systems before disaster strikes, we’re able to fully comprehend the urgency of the predicament as things begin to malfunction—and they do so precipitously. As we watch the divers and their surface counterparts fight to save their stranded colleague, our hearts race along with them. This film masterfully blends suspense with a vintage thriller feel, ensuring that it will continue to captivate audiences for years to come. —Bilge Ebiri

➼ Read Bilge Ebiri’s full review of Last Breath.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

In the fourth installment of “Bridget Jones,” released exclusively on Peacock, it’s astonishingly impressive given there was no pressure to be exceptional. Renée Zellweger reprises her role for an exploration of grief, maturity, and finding purpose in life after losing and finding love (apologies to Mark Darcy, but Colin Firth makes a wistful appearance as a cherished memory). However, the charm of this romantic comedy doesn’t stem from Bridget’s romance with a younger man, played by Leo Woodall, though it’s undeniably enjoyable. Instead, it lies in her friendship with the now-aged Daniel Cleaver (portrayed by Hugh Grant), who has evolved into a slightly melancholic yet unstoppable Casanova. Remarkably, he has become one of Bridget’s dearest friends, illustrating that shared history holds its own worth. —Alison Willmore

➼ Read Alison Willmore’s full review of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.

Parthenope

Paolo Sorrentino challenges conventional perspectives on beauty through his movie “Parthenope,” focusing not just on the physical attractiveness of its protagonist, but rather exploring society’s perception and interpretation of beauty as a concept. Celeste Dalla Porta portrays Parthenope, a character whose life unfolds from adolescence to her 70s, with Stefania Sandrelli appearing briefly in the later years. Named after a mythical siren associated with Naples, Sorrentino’s hometown, Parthenope encounters various characters throughout the film: young lovers, a playboy, an actress nearing her twilight years, a gangster, a disreputable priest, and an intoxicated John Cheever portrayed by Gary Oldman. Each character admires Parthenope to some degree, although their reactions vary from covetousness to apprehension. As the narrative progresses, Parthenope embodies youth and potential, symbolizing both the fleeting nature of these ideals and the inevitability of life’s passage for everyone. In essence, Sorrentino’s film serves as a reminder that we all were beautiful in someone else’s memory at some point. —B.E.

➼ Read Bilge Ebiri’s full review of Parthenope.

Companion

In Drew Hancock’s horror-comedy “Companion”, the story unfolds to reveal an unexpected premise rather than a first-act twist: Iris (played by Sophie Thatcher), who appears to be Josh’s (Jack Quaid) devoted girlfriend, is actually a robot hired for companionship and intimacy. The enjoyment of this film lies not only in how this initial revelation is presented but also in the clever handling of subsequent twists that follow. As the plot takes increasingly absurd and violent turns, the way the narrative unfolds becomes its own reward. – A.W.

➼ Read Alison Willmore’s full review of Companion.

Presence

In a unique twist, Steven Soderbergh’s movie, titled Presence, blends his persistent artistic aspirations with simplistic, conventional elements of horror genre storytelling. A prosperous family purchases a new home, and their daughter starts experiencing mysterious happenings while the rest remain clueless. Although the narrative may seem familiar, Soderbergh’s cinematographic approach sets it apart. The camera glides through rooms, orbits actors, dashes up and down stairs, and peers out windows – often in extended, single takes that encompass entire scenes. Notably, Peter Andrews, the credited cameraman, is a pseudonym for Soderbergh himself, underscoring his direct involvement. This results in the unseen spirit not just being a presence, but also representing the director’s control over the frame, mirroring the sinister-observant nature of cinema, particularly genre cinema. The director maintains a presence yet remains detached: he guides characters’ actions and makes it seem as if they acted on their own accord. This concept of manipulation, of exerting unseen power over those who believe they hold control, becomes a significant plot element in the film. It’s a work of art that also serves as a gripping horror production, and might be Soderbergh’s best work in years. —B.E.

➼ Read Bilge Ebiri’s full review of Presence.

Grand Theft Hamlet

This ingenious film, created within the framework of a video game due to the pandemic, was brought to life by unemployed actors Sam Crane and Mark Oosterveen who decided to stage a production of Hamlet entirely in Grand Theft Auto Online. At its heart, it’s a movie that explores the internet and demonstrates how authentic connections and human creativity can produce remarkable outcomes, even within the corporate boundaries of an online world designed primarily for chaos and destruction.

Crane, who co-directed the film with his wife Pinny Grylls, and Oosterveen emerge as surprisingly moving characters as they, like Hamlet, ponder the essence of life – all while trying to avoid being gunned down in a virtual shootout within the game. —A.W.

➼ Read Alison Willmore’s full review of Grand Theft Hamlet.

One of Them Days

This humorous buddy movie, written by Syreeta Singleton (the showrunner of Rap Sh!t), has a twist: although it seems like a ‘stoner flick’, no one actually gets high. It’s a nostalgic nod to an era when studios produced comedies and relied on the skills of their actors. Notably, one of those stars is Keke Palmer, who shines as Dreux, a server whose aspirations are disrupted when her roommate Alyssa (SZA, in her acting debut) loses their rent money to her untrustworthy boyfriend. Beneath the laughs lies a recognition of the draining reality of living with economic insecurity. —A.W.

➼ Read Alison Willmore’s full review of One of Them Days.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera

If the original “Den of Thieves” (2018) was like a macho reinterpretation of Michael Mann’s “Heat” (1995), then the new “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” feels like a macho reimagining of Michael Mann’s “Miami Vice” (2006). This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In contrast to the first film, which was praised for its intricate plot and gritty detail, this sequel is characterized by an exuberant, unrefined emotional intensity that sacrifices narrative coherence and structure. This also provides an excellent platform for lead actor Gerard Butler, known for his rugged and troubled persona, to shine. Butler embodies a manliness and brokenness in equal measure, making one question if these qualities might not be interchangeable. In essence, he is ideally suited to star in the chaotic and scenic European heist that will inevitably go awry.

“Pantera” falls into the category of sequels that, instead of repeating the dynamics of the original film, opt for a more free-flowing approach centered on intriguing character interactions. —B.E.

➼ Read Bilge Ebiri’s full review of Den of Thieves 2: Pantera.

Every Little Thing

The notion that a society’s true nature can be gauged by how it cares for its most at-risk individuals might be commonly understood, but seldom expressed or followed in practice. By flipping this perspective, we can arrive at an equally evident, if understated truth: the path to mending a society, perhaps even a civilization, lies in nurturing and healing its most vulnerable members. This idea resonates deeply as one watches Sally Aitken’s enchanting documentary about the Los Angeles hummingbirds and the woman who devotes her life to their care. Terry Masear manages a rescue operation focused on rehabilitating injured and abandoned hummingbirds from across greater Los Angeles. This work demands considerable perseverance and precision, as some birds must be trained or retrained to fly, and they can be quite timid and fearful about taking flight. These tiny, fragile creatures are already in a vulnerable state, and many under Masear’s care are infants whose mothers have vanished or passed away, making their survival even more precarious. “When you see how defenseless and powerless they are,” we learn, “you question how any of them survive.” This observation applies to more than just hummingbirds. Through this film, Every Little Thing, the delicate yet indomitable enigma of all life comes vividly to life before our eyes. —B.E.

➼ Read Bilge Ebiri’s full review of Every Little Thing.

2025-03-06 18:21