Top Movies I Want to See at Sundance: 2025
Here are the top titles I want to see at Sundance in Park City while it's still housed IN Park City. Yes, it's the penultimate "last" year for Park City to be the main host as the festival packs up its bags and moves after the '26 fest. Does it move to Salt Lake City (my odds-on favorite for getting it as Park City is still involved, like a bad divorce)? Cincinnati (don't laugh, I heard a rumor some money was plunked down to make it a contender)? Boulder (the earthly home of Mork from "MORK & MINDY")? Will Eugene Hernandez, Sundance's Festival Director, & crew make the announcement during the fest (seems optimum, when coverage is at its height)? There's so much drama we thought it best to do a "curtain raiser" (that's what they call these pre-fest lists) to take the stress out of narrowing down some of the most interesting offerings. Remember, a lot of this is a crap shoot and some unmentioned title from the 200+ features will likely be in my Top 10 next year. But that's the magic of the discovery mechanism that is Sundance. - Keith Simanton, Senior Film Editor, IMDb
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- 16 titles
- DirectorBill CondonStarsDiego LunaTonatiuhJennifer LopezValentín, a political prisoner, shares a cell with Molina, convicted for public indecency. An unlikely bond forms as Molina recounts a Hollywood musical plot starring Ingrid Luna.An adaption of the 1993 Tony-winning musical (Best Musical, Book & Score), “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” which was, in turn, an adaptation of the 1985, Hector Babenco film of the same name (itself an adaptation of the 1976 novel by Manuel Puig). The film version won William Hurt his Academy Award for Best Actor and was nominated for four more, including Best Picture. Director Bill Condon has hit it out of the park with musical adaptations (CHICAGO) and been hit-by-a-pitch to get on base with others (DREAMGIRLS). Condon also made the unforgettable 1998 film, GODS AND MONSTERS, so let's bear that in mind. Jennifer Lopez plays the titular movie icon while Diego Luna has Raul Julia's role. The signature part, however, goes to Tonatiuh (quite good in CARRY-ON), as Molina, the part that won Hurt his Oscar.
- DirectorJustin LinStarsSky YangRadhika ApteMarny KennedyA 26-year-old missionary journeys to the remote North Sentinel Island, determined to convert an isolated tribe, while authorities attempt to intervene before potential harm occurs.When the rubble of the 21st century is sifted through some things will remain, such as the unimpeachable poetry, majesty, and beauty of journeyman director Justin Lin's FAST FIVE (of the FAST & FURIOUS lineage). Lin, returns to Sundance as he kicked off his career here in 2002 with BETTER LUCK TOMORROW (you gotta get your indie cred back at some point!). High hopes for this.
- DirectorDylan SouthernStarsBenedict CumberbatchDavid ThewlisLeo BillA father and his two young sons dealing with the sudden death of their wife and mother.Dylan Southern is best known for docs. such as SHUT UP AND PLAY THE HITS. What's he doing here with this top-shelf talent & the twist on the Emily Dickinson poem (where "hope" is the thing with feathers)? Worth finding out.
- DirectorJames GriffithsStarsTom BasdenTim KeySian CliffordCharles, a strange lottery winner who lives alone on a secluded island, tries to make his fantasies come true by getting his favorite singer, Herb McGwyer, to perform at a special, private event.I'm a big fan of Carey Mulligan, sure, but the attractant here is Sian Clifford, super smashing in everything I've seen her in, particularly as Phoebe Waller-Bridges' sister in "FLEABAG." Director James Griffiths directs this from his short, "The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island," and that presages good things.
- DirectorRyan WhiteStarsMegan FalleyAndrea GibsonFacing an incurable diagnosis, two poet lovers embark on a poignant yet unexpectedly humorous exploration of love, mortality, and life's moments.You had me at "Ryan White." The director of ASK DR. RUTH and GOODNIGHT, OPIE, two of my favorite docs of the last tens years, means this is a must-see for me.
- DirectorChloé RobichaudStarsKarine Gonthier-HyndmanLaurence LeboeufMani SoleymanlouTwo struggling mothers grapple with unfulfilled expectations and societal pressures. As they navigate their roles as wives and professionals, one woman's unexpected affair sparks a reevaluation of their lives and priorities.This comes from the very talented Canadian director, Chloé Robichaud, whose SARAH PREFERS TO RUN, was deservedly in the Un Certain Regard competition at Cannes, where I saw it and loved it in 2013. Rooting for you Robichaud.
- DirectorSophie HydeStarsJohn LithgowTilda Cobham-HerveyOlivia ColmanHannah and her non-binary teenager Frances visits her gay grandfather Jimpa at Amsterdam . Frances expresses a desire to stay with her grandfather for a year, challenging Hannah's parenting beliefs and forcing her to confront past issues.Yes, it has an excellent, seasoned cast. But I'm more interested in the director, Sophie Hyde, who made the criminally under-seen GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE. That film should have nabbed Emma Thompson an Oscar nomination. Fortunately, the BAFTAs and the BIFAs saw it and acknowledged it. Interesting to see what Hyde's doing now.
- DirectorShoshannah SternStarsRanda HainesSian HederMarlee MatlinExplores Marlee Matlin's life as a groundbreaking performer.Matlin blazed a trail, starting in 1986. She's got a tale to tell and I hope she doesn't hold back. She doesn't tend to in any other part of her life.
- DirectorsNyle DiMarcoDavis GuggenheimStarsBridgette Bourne-FirlJerry CovellGreg HlibokIn 1988, Deaf students at Gallaudet University protested until the school appointed its first Deaf president, Dr. I. King Jordan, marking a pivotal moment for Deaf rights and representation.Directed by Davis Guggenheim (AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, WAITING FOR SUPERMAN) and model/spokesperson Nyle DiMarco ("AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL," "DANCING WITH THE STARS") these "recovered history" documentaries never cease to bring new light and perspectives on what should be well-known topics.
- DirectorAmanda KramerStarsJuliette LewisMamoudou AthieSamantha MathisA twist on the body swap genre.This could be a total car-wreck but, in the hands of Amanda Kramer, will be a well-made, and certainly not boring, car-wreck. Might win "best cast collection" at Sundance 2025.
- DirectorKatarina ZhuStarsKatarina ZhuRachel SennottAustin AmelioA cam girl navigates a toxic client relationship while reconnecting with her estranged, dying father, exploring complex relationships and family dynamics.You have to be pulling for writer/director/producer/star Katarina Zhu. She multi-hyphenated right out of the blocks. So, even if the plot sounds off-putting the gumption is there. Plus this has Rachel Sennott in it and I'd watch her in a Quibi min-series, if that's the only place that was showing her work.
- DirectorMark Anthony GreenStarsAyo EdebiriJohn MalkovichJuliette LewisAn iconic pop star returns after decades missing.Again, check the cast: Ayo Edebiri,John Malkovich, Murray Bartlett & Amber Midthunder. Now, since this in the "Midnight" programming set something goes very, very off, when the pop singer re-emerges. But this is a smart group of actors and they must have turned those pages voraciously and been pretty sold to make something that fits the "Midnight" mold at Sundance.
- DirectorAmy BergStarsJeff BuckleyBen HarperNever-before-seen footage, exclusive voice messages, and accounts from Jeff Buckley's inner circle paint a captivating portrait of the gifted musician who died tragically in 1997, having only released one album.Yes, I'm compelled to watch because of the tragic, too-short life of Buckley but this is directed by Amy Berg. Berg has created doc after doc of excellence, including the almost unspeakable events of DELIVER US FROM EVIL, the 2006 expose of the Catholic Church moving a pedophile priest from one parish to another, just to chock up a whole new set of abuses, with their full knowledge. I'm glad she tackled a topic that's might have been a little easier on her to develop.
- DirectorSophie BrooksStarsMolly GordonLogan LermanGeraldine ViswanathanIris and Isaac's first romantic weekend getaway goes awry in a most unexpected way.The inclusion of a romantic comedy (or even something that slightly smells of one) is as rare at Sundance as Cannes including a horror film in its competition titles. When Cannes did that last year with THE SUBSTANCE it signaled something more than a genre film was in store, which it was. In addition, OH, HI was written by Sophie Brooks (the director) & Molly Gordon. Gordon (who stars) is all kinds of crazy talented. She co-wrote & starred in THEATER CAMP, a not-quite-ready-for Broadway independent film that debuted in 2023 in Park City. CAMP had, minus some failings, a lot of fun, heart, & energy. Plus, after the themes of most of the other Dramatic Competition and Premiere titles something like HI, can be a mental life-raft.
- DirectorIsaiah SaxonStarsHelena ZengelWillem DafoeEmily WatsonIn a remote village on the island of Carpathia, a shy farm girl named Yuri is raised to fear an elusive animal species known as ochi. When Yuri discovers a wounded baby ochi has been left behind, she escapes on a quest to bring him home.While the trailer still makes me dubious there's too much stacked up FOR this film and it can't be discounted. There's Dafoe, Watson & Wolfhard (and for those of us that celebrate, Helena Zengel, the discovery from NEWS OF THE WORLD). There's director
Isaiah Saxon's company, Encyclopedia Pictura's, website (please Google it). One of the greatest experiences I ever had at Sundance was seeing WHALE RIDER here. OCHI has the same distinct vibe about it. - DirectorAmalia UlmanStarsJoe ApollonioCamila del CampoGuillermo JacubowiczA media crew mistakenly ends up in the wrong country while trying to profile a musician. As they collaborate with locals to create a viral trend, relationships form amid an unfolding health crisis.I skipped over this, initially, as this is director Ulman's 2nd feature (I missed her earlier film, EL PLANETA). But upon closer inspection it has Alex Wolff, Simon Rex, & Chloë Sevigny. I'm a huge fan of all these actors.
