Friday, February 7, 2025

Our Most Anticipated Films Of The 2025 Sundance Film Festival

It’s Sundance time! And this year, myself, Ema Sasic and Matt Neglia will be attending in-person later this week from January 23rd until the online portion of the festival begins on January 29th (and concludes on the evening of February 2nd). Part of what makes the world-famous independent film festival so exciting to those of us lucky enough to attend is how unpredictable it can be. The haven for new independent films offers little to attendees to go off of when filling out their filmgoing itineraries, meaning that unexpected gems and stunning surprises are inevitable. Based on the scant information we’ve been given, here are some of the films we’re most excited about that are premiering at this year’s festival.

“All That’s Left of You (اللي باقي منك)”PLOT: After a Palestinian teen confronts Israeli soldiers at a West Bank protest, his mother recounts the series of events that led him to that fateful moment, starting with his grandfather’s forced displacement.
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Cherien Dabis
CAST: Cherien Dabis, Saleh Bakri, Adam Bakri, Mohammad Bakri, Maria Zreik & Muhammad Abed Elrahman
SECTION: Premieres
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: Sundance always showcases films that focus on hyper-current events, so it’s no surprise that this year’s festival features a handful of films from a Palestinian perspective. Writer-director-star Cherien Dabis takes a narrative approach to tell a story of a family that has been affected by the occupation for generations.

“By Design”PLOT: A woman swaps bodies with a chair, and everyone likes her better as a chair.
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Amanda Kramer
CAST: Juliette Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Melanie Griffith, Samantha Mathis, Robin Tunney & Udo Kier
SECTION: Next
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: Sometimes, brevity is best, and the simple one-sentence plot description for “By Design” should be enough to captivate most cinephiles. And of course, the chair in question is played by Juliette Lewis. Director-writer Amanda Kramer made the bizarrely gorgeous 2022 musical “Please Baby Please,” and this film will surely be just as strange and entrancing.

“Free Leonard Peltier” PLOT: Leonard Peltier, one of the surviving leaders of the American Indian Movement, has been in prison for 50 years following a contentious conviction. A new generation of Native activists is committed to winning his freedom before he dies.
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Jesse Short Bull & David France
SECTION: Premieres
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: There are always plenty of documentaries at Sundance centering around social justice, and “Free Leonard Peltier” is one of this year’s selections. The American Indian Movement is a worthy subject for the spotlight that a major film can provide, and hopefully, this documentary shines an encouraging light on their struggles. Plus, we also got word recently that former President Joe Biden commuted Leonard’s sentence, so now will the filmmakers have to scramble to add a coda to the end of the film? Either way, this has been a positive development that only fuels our excitement.

“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”
PLOT: With her life crashing down around her, Linda attempts to navigate her child’s mysterious illness, her absent husband, a missing person, and an increasingly hostile relationship with her therapist.
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Mary Bronstein
CAST: Rose Byrne, A$AP Rocky, Conan O’Brien, Danielle Macdonald, Ivy Wolk & Daniel Zolghadri
SECTION: Premieres
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: What a cast! Director-writer Mary Bronstein has assembled a delightfully random collection of stars for her second feature film. With that ensemble and such an intense-sounding plot summary, this one is sure to be memorable.

“Jimpa”
PLOT: Hannah takes her nonbinary teenager, Frances, to Amsterdam to visit their gay grandfather, Jim — lovingly known as Jimpa. But Frances’ desire to stay abroad with Jimpa for a year means Hannah is forced to reconsider her beliefs about parenting and finally confront old stories about the past.
DIRECTOR: Sophie Hyde
WRITERS: Sophie Hyde & Matthew Cormack
CAST: Olivia Colman, John Lithgow & Aud Mason-Hyde
SECTION: Premieres
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: The pairing of Olivia Colman and John Lithgow alone is enough to garner excitement for “Jimpa.” Director/co-writer Sophie Hyde previously wowed Sundance with the Emma Thompson vehicle “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande,” showing that she has an adept ability to direct our most well-loved veteran actors.

“Kiss Of The Spider Woman”
PLOT: Valentín, a political prisoner, shares a cell with Molina, a window dresser convicted of public indecency. The two form an unlikely bond as Molina recounts the plot of a Hollywood musical starring his favorite silver-screen diva, Ingrid Luna.
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Bill Condon
CAST: Diego Luna, Tonatiuh, Jennifer Lopez, Bruno Bichir, Josefina Scaglione & Aline Mayagoitia
SECTION: Premieres
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: Without a doubt, this is one of the buzziest titles at the festival, and truly one of the biggest premieres Sundance has had in years. The starry cast, well-known director, and pedigreed material (the original film version received four Oscar nominations and one win, and the stage musical that this is adapted from received seven Tonys) make this an unmissable event for festival attendees. Of course, attention is on stars Diego Luna and Jennifer Lopez, but Tonatiuh has the chance to make a career-changing impression in the role that won William Hurt an Oscar and Brent Carver a Tony.

“Last Days” PLOT: Determined to fulfill his life’s mission, 26-year-old John Allen Chau embarks on a dangerous adventure across the globe to convert the uncontacted tribe of North Sentinel Island to Christianity, while a detective from the Andaman Islands races to stop him before he does harm to himself or the tribe.
DIRECTOR: Justin Lin
WRITER: Ben Ripley
CAST: Sky Yang, Radhika Apte, Ken Leung, Toby Wallace, Naveen Andrews, Ciaro Bravo, Marny Kennedy
SECTION: Premieres
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: Before he became a well-known action director (“Fast Five,” “Star Trek Beyond,” “F9”), Justin Lin made a splashy debut at the 2002 Sundance Festival with “Better Luck Tomorrow.” Now, he returns to the festival with an intriguing look at a fascinating, grim true story of religious hubris.

“Love, Brooklyn” PLOT: Three longtime Brooklynites navigate careers, love, loss, and friendship against the rapidly changing landscape of their beloved city.
DIRECTOR: Rachael Abigail Holder
WRITER: Paul Zimmerman
CAST: André Holland, Nicole Beharie, DeWanda Wise, Roy Wood Jr., Cassandra Freeman & Cadence Reese
SECTION: U.S. Dramatic Competition
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: Some actors become something of a mainstay at Sundance (think Kristen Stewart, Riley Keough, John C. Riley, etc). André Holland has been seen recently in the festival films “Exhibiting Forgiveness” and “Passing,” and Nicole Beharie made an impression in “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.,” “Breaking,” Monsters and Men,” and especially her starring role in “Miss Juneteenth.” It’s no surprise that they’re both returning to the 2025 edition of the festival, but getting to see these two talents in the same film promises to be a real treat.

“Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” PLOT: In 1987, Marlee Matlin became the first Deaf actor to win an Academy Award and was thrust into the spotlight at age 21. Reflecting on her life in her primary language of American Sign Language, Marlee explores the complexities of what it means to be a trailblazer.
DIRECTOR: Shoshannah Stern
SECTION: U.S. Documentary Competition
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: Marlee Matlin returns to the festival after starring in the Oscar-winning “CODA” and serving on the jury for the 2023 festival. As a deaf actress herself, filmmaker Shoshannah Stern was inspired by Matlin, and her documentary aims to serve as an insightful conversation between the two women.

“Middletown”
PLOT: Inspired by an unconventional teacher, a group of teenagers in upstate New York in the early 1990s made a student film that uncovered a vast conspiracy involving toxic waste that was poisoning their community. Thirty years later, they revisit their film and confront the legacy of this transformative experience.
DIRECTORS/WRITERS: Jesse Moss & Amanda McBaine
SECTION: Premieres
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: Filmmaking team Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine continue to keep impressing festival goers. Their paired documentaries “Boys State” and “Girls State” were both big hits at their respective festivals, and the premise of “Middletown” sounds just as intriguing and politically captivating.

“Move Ya Body: The Birth Of House” PLOT: Out of the underground dance clubs on the South Side of Chicago, a group of friends turn a new sound into a global movement.
DIRECTOR: Elegance Bratton
SECTION: Premieres
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: House is simply one of the most infectious, joyous forms of music there is, and it comes from humble origins worthy of being explored. Director Elegance Bratton follows up on his feature “The Inspection” with this documentary, which promises to be as lively as the music genre itself.

“Omaha” PLOT: After a family tragedy, siblings Ella and Charlie are unexpectedly woken up by their dad and taken on a journey across the country, experiencing a world they’ve never seen before. As their adventure unfolds, Ella begins to understand that things might not be what they seem.
DIRECTOR: Cole Webley
WRITER: Robert Machoian
CAST: John Magaro, Molly Belle Wright, Wyatt Solis & Talia Balsam
SECTION: U.S. Dramatic Competition
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: John Magaro has been one of our most consistent and fascinating journeyman actors working today, and we’re beyond ready to see him get a showcase leading role in what sounds like it will be a touching human drama of a father taking his kids on a road trip following the passing of their mother. This is Cole Webley’s feature directorial debut but the screenplay is written by Robert Machoian, whose two feature films, “The Killing Of Two Lovers” and “The Integrity Of Joseph Chambers” were huge independent highlights for us.

“Opus” PLOT: A young writer is invited to the remote compound of a legendary pop star who mysteriously disappeared 30 years ago. Surrounded by the star’s cult of sycophants and intoxicated journalists, she finds herself in the middle of his twisted plan.
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Mark Anthony Green
CAST: Ayo Edebiri, John Malkovich, Juliette Lewis, Murray Bartlett & Amber Midthunder
SECTION: Midnight
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: This cast alone is reason to be excited for “Opus.” A mix of veterans and newly minted stars, it’s sure to be one of the more high-profile premieres at the festival. Combine that with an intriguing premise and this is definitely one to watch out for.

“The Perfect Neighbor”
PLOT: A seemingly minor neighborhood dispute in Florida escalates into deadly violence. Police bodycam footage and investigative interviews expose the consequences of Florida’s “stand your ground” laws.
DIRECTOR: Geeta Gandbhir
SECTION: U.S. Documentary Competition
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: Based on its subject matter, this looks to be a documentary that feels like required viewing for anyone concerned about the fight for equal justice. In particular, the use of first-person bodycam footage ensures that this will be a harrowing, startling watch.

“Peter Hujar’s Day”
PLOT: A recently discovered conversation between photographer Peter Hujar and his friend Linda Rosenkrantz in 1974 reveals a glimpse into New York City’s downtown art scene and the personal struggles and epiphanies that define an artist’s life.
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Ira Sachs
CAST: Ben Whishaw & Rebecca Hall
SECTION: Premieres
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: Sundance always seems to have a spot reserved for Ira Sachs (“Little Men,” “Love is Strange,” “Keep the Lights On”) and with good reason. With “Peter Hujar’s Day,” he reunites with Ben Whishaw, the star of his 2023 Sundance hit “Passages.” Pair him with Rebecca Hall, one of the most talented actresses working today, and you’ve got a movie that’s sure to draw attention.

“Rabbit Trap”
PLOT: When a musician and her husband move to a remote house in Wales, the music they make disturbs local ancient folk magic, bringing a nameless child to their door who is intent on infiltrating their lives.
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Bryn Chainey
CAST: Dev Patel, Rosy McEwen & Jade Croot
SECTION: Midnight
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: Folk horror is very in at the moment, thanks in part to A24 and other studios with an eye for prestige horror. “Rabbit Trap” sounds like exactly the type of creepy, artistically-minded horror movie that audiences crave, and a star like Dev Patel at its center only makes it even more fascinating.

“Rebuilding” PLOT: After a wildfire takes the family farm, a rancher seeks a way forward.
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Max Walker-Silverman
CAST: Josh O’Connor, Lily LaTorre, Meghann Fahy, Kali Reis & Amy Madigan
SECTION: Premieres
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: Max Walker-Silverman’s debut feature “A Love Song” was one of the best films at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. With “Rebuilding,” he looks to continue telling stories of folks who live out West, this time with Josh O’Connor, the in-demand star of “Challengers.”

“Seeds”
PLOT: An exploration of Black generational farmers in the American South reveals the fragility of legacy and the significance of owning land.
DIRECTOR: Brittany Shyne
SECTION: U.S. Documentary Competition
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: Sundance has always been a welcome home for contemplative, poetic documentaries. With “Seeds,” Brittany Shyne makes her directorial debut with a film that tells the urgent story of the modern-day difficulties facing Black farmers.

“Selena y Los Dinos”
PLOT: Selena Quintanilla — the “Queen of Tejano Music” — and her family band, Selena y Los Dinos, rose from performing at quinceañeras to selling out stadium tours. The celebration of her life and legacy is chronicled through never-before-seen footage from the family’s personal archive.
DIRECTOR: Isabel Castro
SECTION: U.S. Documentary Competition
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: We were fans of Isabel Castro’s last documentary feature, “Mija,” from 2021, and her latest promises to feature never-before-seen footage of the iconic Mexican-American singer, who was taken away from us too soon, that should be a treat to new and old fans alike

“SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden Of Black Genius)” PLOT: An examination of the life and legacy of Sly & The Family Stone — the groundbreaking band led by the charismatic and enigmatic Sly Stone — captures the band’s rise, reign, and subsequent fadeout while shedding light on the unseen burden that comes with success for Black artists in America.
DIRECTOR: Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson
SECTION: Premieres
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: Questlove returns to the directors’ chair after his exhilarating, Oscar-winning documentary “Summer of Soul (or…When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)” premiered at Sundance back in 2021. Like that film, “SLY LIVES!” promises to tell its subject’s story in unconventional, and entertaining, ways.

“Sorry, Baby” PLOT: Something bad happened to Agnes. But life goes on… for everyone around her, at least.
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Eva Victor
CAST: Eva Victor, Naomi Ackie, Lucas Hedges, John Carroll Lynch, Louis Cancelmi & Kelly McCormack
SECTION: U.S. Dramatic Competition
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: In her directorial debut, Eva Victor also takes on the central role of a woman overcoming her traumatic past. Best known for her comedy, Victor’s film is produced by Barry Jenkins and features a stellar supporting ensemble.

“The Thing With Feathers”
PLOT: Struggling to process the sudden and unexpected death of his wife, a young father loses his hold on reality as a seemingly malign presence begins to stalk him from the shadowy recesses of the apartment he shares with his two young sons.
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Dylan Southern
CAST: Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Boxall, Henry Boxall, Eric Lampaert, Vinette Robinson & Sam Spruell
SECTION: Premieres
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: This is Dylan Southern’s third excursion to Sundance (“Meet Me in the Bathroom” and “Shut Up and Play the Hits”), and this time his film features a star in the lead and it’s adapted from a well-known source – Max Porter’s novella “Grief is the Thing with Feathers.” It’s a thriller that promises to use striking visuals to bring its troubling themes to life led by multi Academy Award-nominee Benedict Cumberbatch.

“Together”
PLOT: With a move to the countryside already testing the limits of a couple’s relationship, a supernatural encounter begins an extreme transformation of their love, their lives, and their flesh.
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Michael Shanks
CAST: Dave Franco, Alison Brie & Damon Herriman
SECTION: Midnight
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: Real-life couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco previously collaborated on the horror film “The Rental,” but there, Franco was merely behind the camera while Brie acted. Here, they’ll be working together, playing a couple going through the typical kind of supernatural, spooky strife that all couples face at some point. Sundance always has one nasty horror movie meant to make audiences squirm, and this body horror film looks like just the ticket. 

“Train Dreams”
PLOT: Robert Grainier is a day laborer building America’s railroads at the start of the 20th century as he experiences profound love, shocking defeat, and a world irrevocably transforming before his very eyes.
DIRECTOR: Clint Bentley
WRITERS: Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar
CAST: Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Kerry Condon & William H. Macy
SECTION: Premieres
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: Writing partners Clint Benltey and Greg Kwedar are currently flying high in Hollywood with their most recent collaboration, the acclaimed “Sing Sing.” Here with “Train Dreams,” Bentley takes the reins behind the camera. This marks his second time as director, following his stunning debut “Jockey,” which was one of the very best films to premiere at the 2021 Sundance Festival. With their combined talents and a stacked cast, this one shows a lot of promise.

“2000 Meters To Andriivka”

PLOT: Amid the failing counteroffensive, a journalist follows a Ukrainian platoon on their mission to traverse one mile of heavily fortified forest and liberate a strategic village from Russian occupation. But the farther they advance through their destroyed homeland, the more they realize that this war may never end.
DIRECTOR: Mstyslav Chernov
SECTION: World Cinema Documentary Competition
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: Director Mstyslav Chernov shook the world with his Oscar-winning documentary “20 Days in Mariupol.” Now, he’s back at Sundance with another non-fiction look at the Ukrainian conflict. This time, he looks to present a more singular, small-scale perspective of the war, but it’s hard to imagine it won’t be as harrowing and necessary as his previous film.

“The Wedding Banquet”
PLOT: Frustrated with his commitment-phobic boyfriend, Chris, and out of time, Min makes a proposal: a green card marriage with his friend Angela in exchange for expensive in vitro fertilization treatments for her partner, Lee. Plans change when Min’s grandmother surprises them with an elaborate Korean wedding banquet.
DIRECTOR: Andrew Ahn
WRITERS: Andrew Ahn & James Schamus
CAST: Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Han Gi-chan, Joan Chen & Youn Yuh-jung
SECTION: Premieres
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: If I can editorialize for a moment, this is absolutely the film I’m most excited to see at Sundance. It’s a remake of Ang Lee’s 1993 classic, with an absolutely unbelievable cast, including Bowen Yang in a reunion with his “Fire Island” director Andrew Ahn (one of the best films of its year). Take me to the theater now, please.

“Zodiac Killer Project”
PLOT: Against the backdrop of sunbaked parking lots, deserted courthouses, and empty suburban homes — the familiar spaces of true crime, stripped of all action and spectacle — a filmmaker describes his abandoned Zodiac Killer documentary and probes the inner workings of a genre at saturation point.
DIRECTOR: Charlie Shackleton
SECTION: Next
WHY WE’RE EXCITED: The world’s obsession with true crime seems to be at a tipping point. It dominates the podcast space, seemingly inspires a new Netflix doc every week, and it’s changing the ways that people interact with the world – often for the worst. “Zodiac Killer Project” looks to both explore the most famous unsolved mystery of the 20th century and dissect the industry that makes such grisly tales strangely popular.

What are you most looking forward to watching at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival? Please let us know in the comments below or on Next Best Picture’s X account, and be sure to follow Matt, myself and Ema Sasic as we cover Sundance for you over the next few days.

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Cody Dericks
Cody Dericks
Actor, awards & musical theatre buff. Co-host of the horror film podcast Halloweeners.

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