Daniel Eagan’s Best 10 Movies of 2025

      Following The Film Stage’s collective selection of the top 50 films of 2025, as part of our year-end coverage, our contributors are presenting their individual top 10 lists.

      As the end of the year approaches, my focus dwindles. Culture begins to fade. The sense of transcendence that films used to evoke is often supplanted by monotony, as I feel like I've witnessed these battles, reconciliations, chases, confrontations, ultimatums, revelations, and twists repeatedly. The excitement surrounding festival hits, the frenzy of blockbuster promotions, the exhausting demands from streaming platforms, along with video reviews, Q&As, roundtable discussions, lists of favorites, and intros and outros are leading me to grow weary of show business.

      Even my guilty pleasures have let me down. Jason Statham has turned away from Corey Yuen’s meticulously crafted chaos in favor of generic shoot-’em-up films. Don Lee released two of his most disappointing thrillers, one of which featured him battling CGI ghosts for ninety minutes. Bi Gan surrounded his impressive single shot with two hours of aimless scenes. Johnnie To has been in a creative drought for six years.

      My list skips over numerous critical favorites, such as Marty (What Makes Sammy Run) Supreme and Avatar: Fire and Ash, a remake of an already remade tale. It's also missing films I truly enjoyed, like Caught by the Tides and Grand Tour, since they appeared on my list last year. At least a dozen worthwhile movies were excluded because they are unlikely to be released in the US.

      10. The Secret Agent (Kleber Mendonça Filho)

      My knowledge of Brazilian politics and culture is insufficient to grasp everything happening in The Secret Agent, but I can recognize the intelligent filmmaking and commend the strong performances. It’s lengthy but fulfilling, continuing to unfold in my mind long after it ends.

      9. Timestamp (Kateryna Gornostai)

      Produced with government support in Ukraine, this documentary showcases the efforts to sustain educational programs amidst the ongoing war with Russia. If that premise sounds distasteful, the film itself presents a surprisingly sincere and poignant narrative. Notably, Putin is depicted as threatening everyone in this film.

      8. Late Shift (Petra Volpe)

      Winning the Golden Frog at this year’s Camerimage, Late Shift is so discreet that one might question its acclaim. Jury president Niki Caro informed me that it was a unanimous selection: no other film tackled its themes with such sensitivity and depth. Leonie Benesch gives a remarkable performance as a nurse and mother at a breaking point, facing numerous life-and-death choices.

      7. The Perfect Neighbor (Geeta Gandbhir)

      How can one engage skeptics and nonbelievers? Bodycams tell the truth (given they’re operational). Anyone who watches The Perfect Neighbor won’t be able to defend "stand your ground" laws. Gandbhir’s brilliant choice to depict scenes from multiple perspectives creates a notably strong story.

      6. Sentimental Value (Joachim Trier)

      For a filmmaker as creative as Trier, Sentimental Value might seem too simple. Sure, it explores family dynamics, a declining career, and a house with its own feelings—all executed well but somewhat familiar. Nonetheless, many aspects captivated me, from a directing lesson to miraculous spontaneous shots. The opening scene, featuring Renate Reinsve's stage fright threatening the premiere, comprises some of the most thrilling footage I viewed all year.

      5. Sinners (Ryan Coogler)

      While it may not be the finest vampire film ever, the boldness of Coogler's vision demands respect. Having Michael B. Jordan portray twins? Blending 70mm with IMAX? Reviving Delta blues for contemporary audiences? Coogler accomplishes all of this, earning a special mention for DP Autumn Durald Arkapaw, who is the first woman to shoot an IMAX feature.

      4. Blue Moon (Richard Linklater)

      Linklater, alongside screenwriter Robert Kaplow, not only captures all the period specifics accurately but also elicits outstanding performances from the talented cast. He delves into the essence of a brilliant yet bitter lyricist who can't stop provoking those around him. Additionally, Ethan Hawke sacrifices his ego to effectively portray Lorenz Hart.

      3. One Battle After Another (Paul Thomas Anderson)

      I've never been fully convinced by Anderson's work until OBAA won me over. Heartfelt and pertinent, crafted with confidence and humor, it’s a film reflective of its time, featuring dynamic large format photography, prevalent paranoia, and uniformly excellent performances (except for Penn's portrayal of Popeye the General).

      2. Train Dreams (Clint Bentley)

      The craftsmanship in this film brings Denis Johnson’s bleak novella to life, creating a captivating world for Joel Edgerton’s deeply resonant portrayal of a man with limited resources. Its closing montage resonates even more profoundly as one ages.

      1. Left-Handed Girl