7am The best films of 2025
4 snips
Dec 24, 2025 Kate Jinx, a feature film programmer at the Melbourne International Film Festival and avid film critic, shares her top five films from 2025. She highlights Paul Thomas Anderson's politically charged epic and Kelly Reichardt's humorous heist flick set in the 1970s. Jinx discusses Eva Victor's debut that balances PTSD and comedy, Mike Leigh's rehearsal-based dark comedy, and a charming documentary about a Scottish porridge competition. Get ready for cinematic gems that blend humor, politics, and heartfelt storytelling!
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Epic Film With Political Teeth
- Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another blends big-budget spectacle with sharp political commentary about radicalisation and polarisation.
- The film feels urgent and prescient about growing distrust in government and social fragmentation.
A Heist That Examines Apathy
- Kelly Reichardt's The Mastermind reframes the heist genre as a study of apathy and middle-class drift amid 1970s political unrest.
- Its low-key tone and intimate scale make it hard to market despite critical praise.
From Phone Videos To Cannes Debut
- Eva Victor's Sorry Baby grew from to-camera comedy pieces into a Cannes-screened debut that tackles assault and PTSD with dark humour.
- The film rearranges four chapters to mirror the protagonist's emotional state and remains deeply affecting.