It’s time to list the 10 best films of 2025. Typically, I start these lists by lamenting how difficult it was to find ten films worthy of listing. This year was different, with several great films, and choosing the top 5 was more difficult than ever before. The films 10-6 come from five different countries. On the entire list, only one country is represented with two. The top five can be found in part two. films, and it’s not the one you think. Or, at least it was not the one I thought when the year started.
10. Reedland
Sven Bresser’s debut feature Reedland (Rietland) was screened in the Semaine de la Critique section. That is the strand in the Cannes Film Festival that has consistently provided positive surprises over the last five years. This edition’s standout was the stunningly shot film about a reed cutter who suddenly finds a corpse. I explained why in my review, and I also had the opportunity to interview the director. Reedland is the sole film from the Netherlands on this year’s list.
9. Two Times João Liberada
Two Times João Liberada (Duas vezes João Liberada) is the second, but not the last, debut feature on this list. Paola Tomás Marques’ first feature was a major revelation at this year’s Berlinale. It was screened in the new Perspectives section, dedicated to debutants. It is an intelligent and playful work that depicts the filming of a film about the titular, fictional, gender-nonconforming character. I described why I liked it so much in my review, and also in this case, I was fortunate enough to have a stimulating conversation with the director. The Perspectives section was a highlight of the Berlinale, which leads us to…
8. Growing Down
Since Growing Down (Minden rendben) was screened in Perspectives as well, it is obvious that we are dealing with Bálint Dániel Sós’s first feature. This stark story, shot in black and white, was another highlight of the new festival strand. The main role as the father of the family was played by Szabolcs Hajdu, the director of Kálman’s Day and other notable films. Where can you read more about it, you ask? How about my review of the film?
7. Interior
Pascal Schuh’s Interior premiered in the First Feature section of the Black Nights Film Festival. The still images from the film looked promising, and the film more than lived up to those promises. Once again, I was lucky enough to interview the director together with the producer Timo Ackermann. Sure, you say, but what about a review? Don’t worry, it is right here.
6. The Disappearance of Josef Mengele
The first film on the list not made by a debutant is The Disappearance of Josef Mengele (Das Verschwinden des Josef Mengele). It is the first film by Serebrennikov in some time that didn’t make it into the Cannes competition. Why is anybody’s guess since it’s a splendid work, not least cinematically. I reviewed this film as well and discussed some strange reactions to it.
It is heartening to include four first features among my favourite films. Two of them came from the Berlinale’s new Perspectives section, which turned out to be surprisingly strong. Semaine de la Critique delivered once again, as did PÖFF’s First Feature strand.
The list will shortly continue with the films ranked 5-1. Then, it will be clear that this year’s Cannes competition was quite strong, notwithstanding the absence of Serebrennikov’s film.
