2025 in Film: What Insights Have We Gained?

      As 2025 comes to an end, it's a good moment to reflect on the year in film and the lessons we've gathered from it. There have been unexpected developments along with ongoing trends, while some stars, like Jared Leto, seem to be struggling with box office appeal (think of a T-bone steak to a passionate vegan). We look ahead to 2026, which promises a lineup of highly anticipated films, some of which may face financial challenges, while others could potentially revitalize fading genres, such as Nolan's The Odyssey. Many filmmakers and online communities claim that cinema is dead and that Hollywood no longer produces quality films. Is that true? Let's delve into what we've discovered in 2025...

      **Josh's Reign**

      Josh O’Connor is currently enjoying an impressive run. After gaining recognition for his role in The Crown, his film career has been quietly gaining momentum. For those who have experienced his performances in Challengers, La Chimera, Rebuilding, and The Mastermind, or revisited God’s Own Country, it's evident that he is a captivating actor and exactly what audiences crave.

      We often see leads in mainstream "content" films lacking depth, often portraying familiar characters without personal flair. This is an ongoing issue with big-budget, commercially driven filmmaking that doesn’t always lie with the actors, but many roles come across as uninteresting. O’Connor stands out as he brings charisma and depth to every character he portrays.

      He has also starred in a significant ensemble film, co-leading Wake Up Dead Man, the latest installment in the Knives Out franchise. This vibrant film, which I was fortunate to see in theaters, deserved broader distribution. Even in a large mainstream production, O’Connor captivates audiences, granted the opportunity to shine through Rian Johnson’s excellent writing and direction along with a strong supporting cast. Is he the future Bond? He certainly continues to make intriguing choices and avoids falling into the trap of soulless blockbuster cinema.

      **Film is Not Extinct**

      For many, the debate over film vs. digital might not hold much weight. While shooting on film can be expensive and sometimes problematic, the results are often visually stunning. There are questions around why contemporary films don’t have the same visual appeal as those from previous decades. People wonder why many streaming originals or formulaic productions lack variety and why films with unattractive aesthetics seem to be on the rise.

      This situation isn’t solely due to the choice between film and digital; various factors come into play, from lighting techniques to post-production color grading. Many modern films create their visual style mainly during post, often relying on shooting in a flat digital format. This is especially common with movies that heavily utilize green screens, leading to increasingly uniform looks that mimic YouTube content or opting for excessively bold or overly subtle grading that can feel artificial.

      Nevertheless, filmmakers like Ryan Coogler with Sinners, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, and the various new works from the Safdie Brothers, Luca Guadagnino, and Yorgos Lanthimos are championing traditional film imagery within their works, capturing much of the film's essence on set and fine-tuning it during post-production. The unique characteristics of celluloid give an unparalleled quality that only expert cinematographers like Deakins can replicate digitally.

      **Auteurs are Flourishing**

      Amid many studios focused on profits and declining revenues in the streaming domain, it’s surprising that auteur films continue to receive the green light. Coogler leveraged his established reputation to create Sinners, whereas Chloe Zhao's big-budget attempt with The Eternals faltered. Films like Nomadland, while economical, don’t necessarily yield large box office returns. Still, her Oscar win has allowed her to proceed with projects like Hamnet.

      Paul Thomas Anderson may not be a box office giant, but with Leonardo DiCaprio onboard, he was granted his largest budget yet for One Battle After Another. While these films are unlikely to yield significant profits, Hollywood has a history of allowing directors the creative freedom to explore their visions. It feels like there's a new Guadagnino or Lanthimos film frequently, though they don’t strictly fit into the Hollywood mold.

      Moreover, both Anderson and Coogler were able to pursue challenging formats and presentation styles. The results, naturally, were visually stunning, but whether they’ll enjoy the same creative liberties in future projects remains uncertain (I hope they do). Films by auteurs can be polarizing, yet they often prove to be more interesting than those crafted through executive-led formulas.

      **Quality Cinema is Still Being Produced**

      If we examine the year’s top box office hits, we will certainly find a lot of underwhelming content. Additionally, several films are labeled as flops, highlighting a recurring issue. Many content creators on platforms like YouTube often declare that most contemporary films are terrible and nothing worthwhile is being produced.

      However, let’s focus on the realm of big-screen spectacles. This