The list of the 10 best films of 2025 continues with numbers 5-1. The films 10-6 can be found here.

5. Sirât

The second-day screening in Cannes of Óliver Laxe’s fourth feature, Sirât, left no one indifferent. The feelings for and against were audible, not least during the second part of the film. Considering its content and how it is connected to the form, this is no shock, but the film might be for some viewers. My review of Sirát is the one from Cannes that divulges as little as possible about the film. That is no coincidence.

4. Sound of Falling

Mascha Schilinski’s sophomore film, Sound of Falling (In die Sonne schauen), was surrounded by a lot of buzz long before it landed on the Croisette to start the Cannes competition. Reactions were split after the screening, but I stand by the statement that this is the most ambitious Cannes competition film since EO in 2022. I describe the debate and share my thoughts on the film in my in-depth review. The film was Germany’s Oscar nomination, and Sound of Falling will be released in cinemas across Europe soon.

3. Rose of Nevada

The top five films were unusually strong this year, and the films ranked 5-2 could easily have swapped places. Rose of Nevada is Mark Jenkin’s third feature, and his third triumph at a major festival, this time Venice. I usually loathe standing ovations since they tend to be fake, but the reception of Rose of Nevada left me teary-eyed. Few directors deserve the accolades more than Mark Jenkin. The film might be his best to date. I tried to explain why in my review, and I also had a lengthy conversation with the director.

2. The Secret Agent

I would be lying if I said that I went into the screening of The Secret Agent with high expectations. The fact that I didn’t manage to get a ticket to the gala screening and had to settle for the fairly awful Salle Bazin didn’t exactly make me more excited. However, the film did, and almost immediately. It turned out to be the best film of the festival and won two well-deserved awards. I explained why I liked it so much in my review. This film could easily win an Oscar or two. Apart from its superb cinematic qualities, it is also very entertaining.

1. Reflection in a Dead Diamond

Reflection in a Dead Diamond (Reflet dans un diamant mort) is the fourth feature film directed by Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from this. When French directors land in the Berlinale competition, the outcome is not always great. Maybe the fact that this is a Belgian production (like all the couple’s features) made a difference. Probably not. In any case, this is the duo’s best film to date, and an obvious candidate for the best film of the year. Did I explain why in my review? I’m not sure, but I tried to describe this multifaceted work. It was also a pure joy to interview Cattet and Forzani.

I watched Reflection in a Dead Diamond four times in a large cinema and saw different things in the film each time. That rhymes with the directors’ statement that they aimed to develop various themes and different points of view, so one can see the movie from different angles. Incidentally, it’s the third year in a row that my favourite film of the year has premiered at the Berlinale.