10 Movies to Watch in July

      After showcasing the standout films from the first half of this year, it's time to turn our attention to the offerings in July for the second part of 2025. While it’s likely that only our top choice will make it onto year-end lists, there remains much to anticipate, from gripping documentaries to genre gems.

      10. Diciannove (Giovanni Tortorici; July 25)

      Luca Guadagnino continues to be active in directing, following last year’s Challengers and Queer with this year’s After the Hunt, while also lending his producing talents to several projects. In addition to Dea Kulumbegashvili’s April and the Sundance premiere Atropia, he has supported Giovanni Tortorici’s directorial debut, Diciannove, which debuted at the Venice Film Festival and tells the story of a new student arriving in Siena. From the early moments, it’s easy to see the shared sensibility of the director and producer for evoking a strong sense of style.

      9. Eddington (Ari Aster; July 18)

      Ari Aster reunites with Joaquin Phoenix after the polarizing and anxiety-inducing Beau Is Afraid for his fourth feature, Eddington. Having made its world premiere in competition at Cannes, it seemingly received an even more divided reaction than his previous work, but I am still eager to see it. Rory O’Connor noted in his Cannes review, “Eddington is undeniably ambitious, portraying a time period that’s merely a few iPhones ago and tackling topics that many wouldn't dare approach. At the time of All the President’s Men, Richard Nixon had only recently resigned, yet most Americans believed it was the right decision. Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous summer of 2020, when the world is nowhere near resolving these events, Eddington probes at an open wound.”

      8. To a Land Unknown (Mahdi Fleifel; July 11)

      Mahdi Fleifel’s compelling first narrative feature, To a Land Unknown, depicts Palestinian refugee cousins attempting to escape life in the underbelly of Athens. After premiering to acclaim at Cannes and TIFF last fall, it is now poised for a theatrical release this month. David Katz remarked in his Cannes review, “The tragic state of Palestinians and their current plight deserves rigorous analysis and examination, with various points of questionable historical consensus brought under new scrutiny; in Mahdi Fleifel’s fiction debut To a Land Unknown, we exist solely in a disorienting present tense, where reflection is scarce and the struggle for survival dominates.”

      7. No Sleep Till (Alexandra Simpson; July 18)

      Following theatrical releases of Eephus and Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point, Omnes Films brings us a new release to U.S. theaters. Alexandra Simpson’s feature directorial debut, No Sleep Till, premiered at Venice last fall, was showcased at New Directors/New Films and the Los Angeles Festival of Movies in the spring, and is now arriving this month. Jared Mobarak noted in his review, “A hurricane is imminent, and Atlantic Beach, Florida is in its path. The tourists have evacuated, and most residents remain. Why? Because this is hurricane territory. None of this is new. The storm might strike, or it might not. Is it worth leaving town? Or does the thrill of weathering the storm make it too enticing to pass up? And what about those who cannot leave, whether due to age or complacency? This is home for many; it's all they've known. Alexandra Simpson’s No Sleep Till unfolds in a slice-of-life documentary style, featuring stunning visuals (kudos to cinematographer Sylvain Froidevaux) and engaging characters navigating the wild contrasts of maintaining a mundane existence amid looming chaos.”

      6. Together (Michael Shanks; July 30)

      One standout from this year’s Sundance is Together, the latest endeavor from Alison Brie and Dave Franco. Jourdain Searles remarked in her review, “It’s challenging to discuss Together without addressing the dynamics between these two. Their bodies symbolize their co-dependent relationship; every time they are physically near, separation becomes harder. Together excels in its visual effects and sound design, vividly portraying the couple’s predicament with every grotesque detail. In one of the film's most memorable scenes, the couple experiences passion and then struggles to separate. They feel secure intertwined and resist parting. Prior to this act, they hadn’t been intimate in a while, and Millie is eager to reconnect, but Tim's clinginess raises concerns about their bond. Does he genuinely desire her, or is his desperation fueled by the fear that she might want to end things?”

      5. Drowning Dry (Laurynas Bareiša; July 18)

      Winning Best Director and Best Performance awards at Locarno last year, Laurynas Bareiša’s Drowning Dry was selected as Lithuania’s entry for the Best International Feature Academy Award