What I love about this time of year is the reflecting and planning, not sure why I tend to wait till the end of year. Why not share my favourite movies or television shows more often. I know I say this probably every year, but I want to be more active, I have taken up journalling, and it seems like I was waiting for inspiration rather than exercising my creativity. The problem with waiting was I tend to find that at 2am and often I am too tired to do anything about that. Maybe next year will finally be the year I do something about it, but in the meantime, I thought I should share my favourite films and shows of 2025. I went back and forth on whether to share my favourite “new to me” films or the ones I saw at the cinema/released in 2025. I went for the later or my list might have been full of Kurosawa or Powell and Pressburger films. Also, there is always a time delay (as you can see with a few of my picks), some films might have released in 2024 but here in Australia we were not able to see them till 2025, but I digress.

My 10 Favourite Films of 2025

10. Materialists (directed by Celine Song)

I loved Celine Song’s Past Lives, so was excited to see what she was going to do next. I find it interesting to see how lacklustre the response was to this film, but for me it worked. What I found interesting was the way Song used the romantic comedy genre to deconstruct the Hollywood ideas of romance. There are elements of class divides, social expectations, heart break and ultimately finding a solution that best suits the protagonist. If it was up to me, I would have picked Pedro Pascal and wealth over Chris Evans, but like Dakota Johnson I never found love with a wealthy person. I do find it amusing to see all the Letterboxd complaints about this being Broke Man Propaganda.

9. Companion (directed by Drew Hancock)

This film really stuck in my mind for the longest time. There is something about these social critic science fiction thrillers that I love. I am not a sci-fi nerd but if there is a social commentary or critique, I am all over it (Tarkovsky’s Solaris would have been in my top 10 if I allowed classics). I find this movie’s plot is an interesting way to look at incel culture and the sexual politics of a relationship. If you have not seen this film basically Jack Quaid orders a sex-bot (Sophie Thatcher) as a companion, but she is unaware she is a robot. When she does discover this, she seeks out revenge. Think Her if it was blended with the films Revenge and Terminator.

8. Nickel Boys (directed by RaMell Ross)

Sometimes you see a film that is brilliant and devastating you never want to see it again, but it is forever buried in your mind. An example of this would be a film like Sing Sing, and obviously Nickel Boys. That first person point of view was an interesting approach; like walking in someone else’s shoes. Set in the Jim Crow-era of Florida, the two actors Ethan Herisse and Brendon Wilson did an incredible job portraying the two reform school students through all the convict labour, sexual abuse and social injustice.

7. Conclave (directed by Edward Berger)

An adaptation of the Robert Harris novel of the same name; Conclave explores the election of a new pope in the style of a political thriller. This was just a lot of fun, as my wife is a Catholic, I found it interesting to see her dissect the theological aspects of the film. Granted we do not know what happens in a conclave, but it was still fun to speculate. Considering we all witnessed a conclave this year with the election of Pope Leo XIV, I think that a little peak into the internal politics of the Catholic church was riveting. I suspect there is negative discourse around the way this film portrays the church and the cardinals but for me, it was just fun.

6. Train Dreams (directed by Clint Bentley)

I have not read the Denis Johnson novella, and I probably should but Train Dreams was a stunning piece of cinema. I think it would be one of those films where every frame is a piece of art. Watching the gorgeous scenery felt like a mediative experience for me.  I am reminded of Wim Wenders’ Perfect Days here where we follow a nobody through life. This might be a little more focused on solitude but at a time where I keep thinking about disconnecting from my phone more, this felt like the it was trying to tell me to stop looking at a screen and look at the world around you.

5. Sorda (directed by Eva Libertad)

In English this film is called Deaf, but I am using its original Spanish name. We saw this at the Travelling Film Festival when it came through our city. A stunning look at relationships, marriage, motherhood from a deaf woman. The film stars a deaf actress in the lead, the sister of the director but also features other deaf characters. It was a beautiful look at the complexity of being deaf and the way people treat you. With a hearing partner things are not always easy, and it reminds you of just how much a little head turn could make for someone being able to hear you (via lip reading). There is a scene that has really stuck with me; where Ángela puts in her hearing aids to try and hear a conversation and that all sounds are boosted makes me wonder why anyone would hear hearing aids.

4. Nosferatu (directed by Robert Eggers)

Robert Eggers film style is what draws me to this film. This is a film of beautiful cinematography, costumes, production and if you are a literary nerd like me, then you can try and compare it with Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I know they are different but there are a lot of similarities. This is a visually appealing film; I remember looking up Jarin Blaschke to see what else he had done but for the most part he just films Robert Eggers films. I guess that is why an Eggers film is recognisable by the visuals. I do not consider myself a horror fan, but I found this film to be beautiful and yet repulsive, there is so much to like about this film, that when the gore or horror comes it feels like it hits a little harder than it should. I guess that is why makes this more so interesting.

3. Affeksjonsverdi (directed by Joachin Trier)

Joachim Trier is one of those directors I have been meaning to watch for a while; the Oslo trilogy (Reprise, Oslo, August 31^st and The Worst Person in the World) in particular. Affeksjonsverdi (English: Sentimental Value) was another film I saw at the Travelling Film Festival and my favourite from the weekend. It’s the family tension that really stood out here. We have an esteemed film director (Stellan Skarsgård) trying to reconcile with his daughters, but he lacks the emotional ability to connect. I love the way that the house is the main character witnessing everything, from the microaggressions all the way to the generational trauma. Renate Reinsve was an absolute star in this film but the supporting roles from Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas and Elle Fanning are also worth mentioning.

2. Sinners (directed by Ryan Coogler)

There are so many elements of this film to love, the writing and direction from Ryan Coogler, Michael B Jordan as twins Smoke and Stack, the supporting cast which included Hailee Steinfeld and the amazing debut from Miles Caton, the music by Ludwig Göransson or the cinematography by Autumn Durald Arkapaw. This southern gothic vampire film managed to hit that sweet spot of being both beautiful cinema and a box office smash hit.  Without giving away the plot, I think this was an interesting depiction of African American and Choctaw culture in the great depression. We could include the Irish, but I do not believe they are exactly like that; but maybe the way race divide and culture stealing plays out in this film would be worth exploring.

1. Ainda Estou Aqui (directed by Walters Salles)

If there was one film I would recommend from 2025, it would have to be Ainda Estou Aqui (English: I’m Still Here). This political biographic is based on the Marcelo Rubens Paiva memoir of the same name. It explores the kidnapping of his father Rubens Paiva by the military dictatorship under the leadership of Jair Bolsonaro. With an unbelievable performance from Fernanda Torres, the anxiety and anger shown by her transcended the screen and I felt like I was feeling all her emotions with her. This is a film that will stick in my mind forever and might be in my top picks of all time. I feel the need to rewatch this now…or maybe I should read the memoir.

My 10 Favourite Television Shows of 2025

I was reflecting on the year of television, and I really struggled to find ten shows, I feel like I watched a lot more Taskmaster than anything else (I think Taskmaster New Zealand might be my favourite).

10. Ballard

Renée Ballard is my favourite of Michael Conelley’s characters, but I do wish they spent more time on why she was an outsider from the Police department. Maggie Q played Ballard perfectly and I love a police procedural that focuses on a single case over a full season.

9. Optics

Optics follows two social media savvy woman (Jenna Owen and Vic Zerbst) who suddenly find themselves as the CEO of a public relations firm when the original CEO dies. Created by Owen and Zerbst with Charles Firth, this is an amazing modern look at the cynical world of PR. Jenna Owen and Vic Zerbst are amazing quick-witted women and it is refreshing to see the ABC give a show to two newer comedians.

8. Fisk

I love this comedy series which centres around the life of lawyer Helen Tudor-Fisk as she starts to rebuild her life in a small probate solicitor firm after her marriage falls apart. There is a wide range of interesting characters and fingers crossed no Marty Sheargold in season four.  I am a big fan of Aaron Chen as the probate clerk and tech guy for the office, but I think it is the butting of heads between Fisk and Roz (Julia Zemiro) that really keeps the show interesting.

7. Disclaimer

You do not see many erotic thrillers anymore (when I was a teenager, I watched far too many of them). Disclaimer is a non-linear miniseries about a famed documentary journalist who finds out that she is a prominent character in a novel that seems to reveal a hidden secret. Written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón based on a book of the same name by Renée Knight, what I loved about this series was the techniques used to keep the narrator unreliable all the way through the show. This is a thrilling psychological puzzle of a show, with amazing acting by Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline and surprisingly Sacha Baron Cohen.

6. Man on the Inside

I remember the day I suggested watching A Man on the Inside to my wife because I wanted something light. A few episodes in and I am bawling my eyes out over Gladys Montrose and her memory loss; while this is a comedy this was far from light. We watched both seasons quickly and while I think the first season is better, there is an amazing collection of characters here. The chemistry between Lilah Richcreek Estrada and Stephanie Beatriz was the highlight from the show, but I think I would watch anything Michael Schur creates (Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Good Place and Rutherford Falls)

5. Austin

This is a beautiful comedy show that follows a neurodivergent character Austin as he tries to connect with his biological father, the recently cancelled English children’s author (Ben Miller). Austin is played by Michael Theo, and this is his debut acting role but was a participant on Love on the Spectrum. There is an amazing cast on this show including; Sally Phillips, Gia Carides, Charlotte Nicdao, Billie Piper, and my favourite Natalie Abbott, which for some reason IMDB is saying was uncredited for her 6 episodes.

4. Adolescence

I think everyone has Adolescence in their top shows of 2025. I doubt I have anything interesting to say except I am glad I do not have children. There is so much that is unsettling about this show, and it is chilling just how well Owen Cooper portrayed that character. Yet again, this show had such an amazing cast, Stephan Graham did an amazing job as the father but there is that one episode featuring Erin Doherty as the forensic psychologist that still sends shivers down my spine.

3. Paradise

Honestly, I do not want to say anything about this show in fear of giving any of the plot away. This is a political thriller that follows a Secret Service agent (played by Sterling K. Brown) who is assigned to protect the President (played by James Marsden). There is so much more going on here, but I recommend watching this with as little knowledge as possible; enjoy the ride.

2. Hacks

Season four of Hacks might be my favourite season so far, and this has been an amazing show. The relationship between Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) is such a thrill to watch, but the twists in their relationship that play out in this last season makes me thrilled to see season five.

1. Severance

We all waited years for season 2 of Severance and when it dropped, I do not think anyone expected the direction it took us. This show has so many layers and it really knows how to depict the surrealist nightmare that is an office job. I often think about how Ben Stiller directed Cable Guy, Zoolander and now this; they all seem to share similar themes of mind manipulation. If you are unsure of what Severance is, the show follows a character Mark Scout (played by Adam Scott) who separates his memories so one part of him knows work and nothing else. It’s a psychological and surrealist look at corporate life but it goes much further.

Every year my wife, sister-in-law and I try to watch all the Best Picture nominations before the Oscar awards. This is something that never happens, due to the availability of movies in our city but for the first time ever we managed to see all nine nominations this year. I know the Oscars are over and The Shape of Water has already won but I thought I should write a little about each movie. I want to get better at analysing movies and if I do not practise, I will never get any better.  

So why not have a mini review of all the nine movies? I have decided to do this in order of my least favourite to favourite, as a way to show which movies I think were more deserving to win. Do not get me wrong, I think The Shape of Water was a great movie and I am happy to see it win, it just was not my pick. 

Dunkirk (written, directed, and produced by Christopher Nolen) 

This is a movie about the hundreds of thousands of Allied soldiers trying to retreat out of Dunkirk. The German soldiers have them backed into a corner and leave them as easy targets for some dive-bomber attacks. This film is often been noted for its historical accuracies, even acknowledged by Dunkirk survivors as realistic. For this reason alone, I can see why this film was nominated. However I felt that this was too much of a generic war movie, with very little time to develop characters. In fact most of the characters looked too much alike in their uniforms that I was only able to recognise some actors, namely Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy.  

Action sequences and a deeper understanding of this battle are the two big draws for this movie, but everything else was lacking. Christopher Nolen added his signature style but I tend to disagree with the critics that called this one of the greatest war films of all time. For me that title goes to films like All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), Apocalypse Now (1979), Full Metal Jacket (1987) and Saving Private Ryan (1998). I was tempted to include Downfall (2004) but I think that maybe that is more a biopic in vein of something like Darkest Hour.  

Call Me by Your Name (directed by Luca Guadagnino) 

Based on the coming of age novel written by André Aciman, Call Me by Your Name is the story of the relationship between a seventeen year old boy named Elio and a 24-year-old graduate student, Oliver. Timothée Chalamet did an excellent job in the role of Elio, learning Italian, piano and guitar for the role, plus some of the best acting I have seen from a new comer in a long time. While Oliver, played by Armie Hammer, just served as eye candy.  

There is a slow burn to this movie that seems to work well with the story they are trying to tell. However I feel like the story was too much like that often seen in young adult novels. Especially the love triangle with Esther Garrel doing an excellent job as Elio’s girlfriend Marzia. The cinematography and actor was amazing, I felt the story was its biggest letdown. Having said that, I do believe they did a respectful job at portraying a same sex couples’ relationship. The highlight of this movie was the final scene of Timothée Chalamet sitting in front of a fireplace with nothing but his facial expressions telling the story.  

The Post (directed by Steven Spielberg) 

This movie is Oscar-bait if I have ever seen it. Based on the events surrounding the leak of the Pentagon Papers, this film was written by Liz Hannah and one of the Spotlight writers, Josh Singer. There is not much I can say about this movie apart from the fact that I enjoyed learning more about the battle between the US president and the press. This was an obvious jab, with references and allusions to the current president, Donald Trump throughout the movie. I expected more from Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Katharine Graham, I was not sure what direction they were taking. I understand this would have been Katharine Graham’s first major decision as The Washington Post’s head publisher but her acting was not convincing.  

The film ends with the break at the Watergate, which seems to connect the movie almost perfectly to All the President’s Men (1976). A classic film my wife and I watched after seeing The Post. A far better movie but I had to appreciate the way these two films connect together. Sadly All the President’s Men only mentions Katharine Graham once and that was a reference to her breasts.   

Darkest Hour (directed by Joe Wright) 

While Dunkirk was about the war raging on in Western Europe, Darkest Hour is about the politics happening back in the United Kingdom. Winston Churchill, appears to be trending in film and television at the moment but Gary Oldman probably did the best depiction. There was something about the way Oldman portrayed this Prime Minster that felt so genuine, it was easy to suspend disbelief and see him as Churchill. That was until there was some awkward dialogue to remind you that this is in fact a film.  

This is an interesting look at the politics that happen behind the scenes. Interesting how they dumped a Prime Minster because they were not happy with how he was handling the war. The scenes in the parliament are the standouts in this film. The use of lighting made these scenes far more dramatic and served to empathise the importance of this decision making process; into darkness or into light.  

Phantom Thread (written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson) 

This period piece stars Daniel Day-Lewis as a couturier (a high-end dressmaker) who is so devoted to his art that finds little time for relationships. Living with his sister (Lesley Manville) he falls in love with a young waitress, Alma (Vicky Krieps). Aesthetically this is a visually pleasing film and combining that with Daniel Day-Lewis’ masterful acting there is so much to like about this movie. The power struggle of the relationship between this renowned fashion designer, Reynolds Woodcock and Alma quickly turns this into something far darker than expected.  

The sound editing in one breakfast scene alone, was enough to showcase just good this film is. With these sounds, the viewer was able to experience the same irritations as Daniel Day-Lewis. While this was a disturbing tale, the beauty of the film is what stuck out to me the most. The story was weird and never sat right with me but I think plot took a back seat to the visuals, sound and acting in this one.  

The Shape of Water (directed by Guillermo del Toro) 

We have come to expect an aesthetically pleasing film from Guillermo del Toro and he did not disappoint. The Shape of Water has a gritty Cold War vibe to it that reminded me very much of Rapture in the BioShock game. I appreciate the set design, it was so good that it is like the background is telling a story. This is a film about misfits finding each other more than a love story between a mute woman and a fish man.  

Sally Hawkins is an extraordinary actress and I do think I have even seen her in a role where her performance let down the movie. Her role in Maudie (2016), along with this one will serve as evidence of her great ability. People often talk about how great Daniel Day-Lewis’ acting is, but I think Sally Hawkins can give him a run for his money. It was nice to see Michael Shannon doing what he does best, and that is antagonising everyone. Finally, Richard Jenkins and Octavia Spencer were outstanding in their supporting roles.  

Get Out (written and directed by Jordan Peele) 

I would have been very happy if this film won the Best Picture Oscar. This satirical horror film deals with many relevant race issues in such a unique way. Get Out is a power look at the racial problem in America, in particular taking shots at liberals who consider themselves ‘allies’ in the movement against racism. The people that go out of their way to demonstrate they are no racist to the point that is just uncomfortable. There is so much going on in this film it is hard to cover it all in a mini review.  

This is a must see film, filled with so many hard hitting truths that Jordan Peele decided to change the ending just to make it happier. For me this is the biggest let down, because the tone change at the end is so jarring. I think the original intended ending would have had a far bigger impact to the message Peele was trying to say. Get Out did win Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars making Jordan Peele the first black person to win this award.  

Lady Bird (written and directed by Greta Gerwig) 

Lady Bird is the coming of age story of Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson living in Sacramento, who cannot wait to leave for college to a city with culture. This is probably the most indie ‘arthouse’ of the movies to make the list but I loved this movie because it was just full of teenage angst. There were so many interesting characters and both Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf had standout performances.  

I loved this movie partly because I think Saoirse Ronan is amazing and partly because I identified with the angst of growing up in a town like that. It was a film of such rich characters, and I would love to see a movie about Lady Bird’s best friend Julianne “Julie” Steffans, played by Beanie Feldstein. This is another movie to star Timothée Chalamet and his role was very different to that of Call Me by Your Name. Both Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet are destined for greatness.  

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (written, produced, and directed by Martin McDonagh) 

There is something very unique about Three Billboards, it was so fresh and original. We left the cinema with such joy (despite the dark themes) similarly because it is so rare to see something so different. Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell both had outstanding performances and they were rewarded at the Oscars for that. However it was hard to believe Woody Harrelson and Abbie Cornish as a married couple. Three Billboards is the story of a grieving mother trying to find closure for the brutal rape and murder of her teenage daughter. To put pressure on the police she rents three billboards to remind them that this case is still unsolved.  

This is a very polarising movie, that people either love or hate, and I can understand the criticism. Despite the themes of grief and hatred, this film seems to be more about people putting aside their differences in order to heal. The film has also inspired activist groups to adopt similar methods to get their message across, with over five different groups hiring billboards and bus advertisement to spread their message.