Films of 2025: Short Reviews
First published on my writing site: www.aliamin.info/2026/10/films-of-2025-short-reviews/
My Letterboxd reviews of new releases from 2025, best first.
These are my Letterboxd reviews, copied as written. They may contain spoilers.
No Other Choice (2025)
My rating: 5 out of 5
A social commentary on techno-feudalism wrapped in a black comedy crime thriller. Some of the most striking transitions & modern editing I’ve ever seen. Gorgeously shot. At once astoundingly hilarious & simultaneously horrifying.
At it’s heart a critique of what it takes to win the zero sum game job market in the AI era. Are you truly willing to do what it takes to succeed in an era that sees the Technique of technology consuming all of the world’s resources to deposit it as capital in the pocketbooks of the elite?
Never before has society had more immediately available luxuries and efficiencies. Yet, we live in a constant state of stress since we own nothing. We own nothing and are legally regulated out of directly accessing resources. So we are forced to participate in a dog-eat-dog system with fewer and fewer winners.
No Other Choice demonstrates the ethical choices winners must make. What does it take to actually succeed in modern capitalism?
Watched December 7, 2025. My review on Letterboxd.
Train Dreams (2025)
My rating: 4.5 out of 5
“Just waiting to see what we’ve been left here for.”
A beautifully shot and emotionally compelling “slow burn” that manages to keep your attention the entire time. I wish there were more complexity to Granier’s character. The film doesn’t demand much from you, but is enthralling. The vicissitudes of an average life.
Watched November 30, 2025. My review on Letterboxd.
All That's Left of You (2025)
My rating: 5 out of 5
Seen at Middle East Books in DC:
A powerful journey demonstrating the unimpeachable value of the human spirit, while it is in this world and after it has passed on. An important & heartwrenching film. We need more stories like this in cinema. Deftly shot, acted, produced.
Watched January 16, 2026. My review on Letterboxd.
Weapons (2025)
My rating: 4 out of 5
The set-up was really strong but I felt the film meandered a bit in the middle. The cop & druggie plotlines provided some comedic relief but didn’t add much to the story.
The third act was good although I think didn’t live up to the promise of the premise. Amy Madigan did such an incredible job and I only wish we had more of her.
While I can appreciate David Lynch and the Lynchian direction, it isn’t my favorite style. The director here mentioned that he’s massively influenced by Lynch and we see that with some of the unintentional or random choices. I think what made David Lynch great is that, as random as some of his decisions were, there was usually some kind of a justification for it (although not always).
I’m excited to see what this director does next.
Watched August 23, 2025. My review on Letterboxd.
28 Years Later (2025)
My rating: 4.5 out of 5
If this movie was a bit more focused and had a bit less extraneous editing and scenes it could be a 5. There are some truly moving and compelling scenes. Then there are some that are beyond credulity.
Watched July 29, 2025. My review on Letterboxd.
The Phoenician Scheme (2025)
My rating: 5 out of 5
Wes Anderson is at his best with grand sweeping tales that capitalize on his dead pan writing and humor. When Wes tries to do smaller scale stories that are more heartfelt, they aren’t as impactful. This & Grand Budapest Hotel are my favorite Anderson films.
Watched July 30, 2025. My review on Letterboxd.
Frankenstein (2025)
My rating: 3.5 out of 5
Extremely underwhelming. Isaac’s performance was too hammy. The monster’s design was too clean. A lot of nitpicky plot points make no sense (outside of being faithful to the material). Unnecessary love triangle. Unnecessary love between Elizabeth and the monster.
Take Shelley’s Frankenstein. Remove all of the philosophical depth. No questions about mortality, creation, suffering, existence. Make it just a revenge plot.
That’s this.
The more I watch of Del Toro the more I realize that the man should have as few creative liberties with a script as possible. He is just not a good script writer. He’s a fantastic director with a keen visual eye and a great style. But the moment he starts writing everything goes by the wayside.
I really hoped for more out of this one. It pales when compared to Egger’s Nosferatu.
Watched October 24, 2025. My review on Letterboxd.
Bring Her Back (2025)
My rating: 3.5 out of 5
The title spoiled the entire movie. The body horror was effective. I feel like there was just something missing here, but can’t put my finger on what it is. The performances were all great but it just seems that the movie left a lot of breadcrumbs which were never tied together.
Watched July 29, 2025. My review on Letterboxd.
Eddington (2025)
My rating: 2.5 out of 5
I’m not sure what made Ari Aster think he’s capable of insightful political commentary but this has proven he isn’t. He captured much of the anxiety and hysteria of 2019-2021 but simply depicting what we all lived through isn’t some achievement. I’m starting to worry Aster was a one trick pony with Hereditary, kind of like Peele with Get Out. At least Eggers seems to be trying to improve.
Who was this movie made for? What does it ultimately say? What does viewing this film give its audience?
Watched September 13, 2025. My review on Letterboxd.
The Long Walk (2025)
My rating: 2.5 out of 5
This movie feels like it was written by a precocious 12 year old. A 12 year old who is really feeling their intellect. The dialogue is so stiff. The emotional impact is almost zero. It’s beyond predictable. It’s frankly silly. I guess it’s a critique of capitalism? It’s like if Squid Game, which isn’t high brow per se, was actually really dumb.
Watched September 12, 2025. My review on Letterboxd.
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