The 2025 edition of the SXSW Film & Television Festival begins tomorrow, March 7th, 2025. This will be my first year attending the festival, as I tried back in 2020, but we all know what happened then. This year’s festival once again presents an eclectic mix of films across multiple genres and promises lots of thrills and chills. No matter what kinds of films you enjoy, SXSW always delivers solid entertainment for films to discover in the Spring and Summer months. Here are ten in particular that I am looking forward to seeing from this year’s lineup.
The Accountant 2
“The Accountant 2” arrives nine years after the first film’s release, with Director Gavin O’Connor reuniting with Ben Affleck in the lead role. The trailer promises an action-packed sequel with Jon Bernthal returning as Christian Wolff’s lethal brother Brax, and a thrilling mystery at its center. While I wasn’t necessarily the biggest fan of the first film, O’Connor remains a favorite of mine for his work on “Warrior” especially as he’s known for blending gripping storytelling with hard-hitting action. Expect the SXSW crowd to be pumped for this one.
Ash
“Ash” looks to be offering a mind-bending, visually stunning, and terrifying experience from visionary director Flying Lotus, known for his surreal and hypnotic style; the film combines psychological horror with intense sci-fi. With Eiza González (“Baby Driver“) and Aaron Paul (“Breaking Bad“) leading the cast, alongside action star Iko Uwais (“The Raid”), audiences can expect gripping performances and tension throughout. The premise of an isolated protagonist unraveling a gruesome mystery on a distant planet sets the stage for an eerie take on the sci-fi horror genre that will have hopefully us “Alien” fans squirming and enjoying ourselves in Austin, Texas.
Clown In A Cornfield
Do you know what looks like the perfect pick for fans of dark, twisted horror with a mix of nostalgia and pure terror? Eli Craig’s (“Tucker & Dale vs. Evil”) “Clown In A Cornfield.” Known for his ability to blend humor and horror, Craig looks to be delivering a chilling reimagining of a beloved childhood figure—Frendo the clown—who turns into a menacing force in a decaying small town. The unsettling imagery of a clown terrorizing a cornfield taps into some primal fears, but it sure looks like Craig is having a hell of a time doing it. With a talented cast led by Katie Douglas and Will Sasso, there’s potential for both spine-tingling moments and perhaps some humor to boot. It’s sure to be a standout for horror comedy fans looking for a memorable horror experience at SXSW.
Death Of A Unicorn
It wouldn’t be SXSW without an A24 world premiere, and this year, “Death of a Unicorn” is the must-watch at the film festival based on what we’ve seen from the bizarre, darkly comedic, and surreal trailer. With a stellar cast led by Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, the film looks to blend absurdity with sharp social commentary on greed, power, and the supernatural. Expect comedy, intrigue, and horror from Alex Scharfman’s directorial debut, which has the chance to be a huge hit for the new filmmaker.
Drop
“Drop” dropped (too easy) an exciting trailer that highlighted Christopher Landon’s (“Freaky” and “Happy Death Day”) premise quite well, getting most audiences eager to see the psychological horror of a date night gone horribly wrong. With modern digital paranoia, the film promises an unsettling yet thrilling ride with Meghann Fahy (“The White Lotus”) leading the cast. We expect her to give a compelling performance that takes us on a wild ride, but you also have Jason Blum and Michael Bay producing, which only fuels the anticipation for this pulse-pounding thriller.
The Dutchman
“The Dutchman” looks to be yet another gripping psychological thriller that deals with themes of identity, race, and personal turmoil. Directed by Andre Gaines, the film follows a successful Black businessman, played by the great André Holland, as he navigates a crumbling marriage and a profound existential crisis, only to become entangled in a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game with a mysterious white woman (Kate Mara) on a New York subway. It could be thought-provoking as it explores the psychological effects of societal pressures and personal conflict. With an exceptional cast that also includes Zazie Beetz, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Aldis Hodge, “The Dutchman” is one of the few SXSW titles we hear very few people talking about, but perhaps they should.
Holland
Nicole Kidman and Matthew Macfadyen, do we need to say more? Directed by Mimi Cave (“Fresh“), known for her stylish and disturbing storytelling, “Holland” teases an unpredictable and twisted narrative full of secrets and deception. Like many films heading to SXSW, this one will be available to stream just a few days after the festival, but that hasn’t cooled our anticipation for this small-town mystery. Throw in the names of Gael García Bernal and rising star Jude Hill (“Belfast“), and it’s only got us wanting to see it even more.
It Ends
For fans of intense, atmospheric thrillers that play on the fear of the unknown, look no further than “It Ends.” Directed and written by Alexander Ullom, this one seems to have a haunting scenario where four friends’ simple road trip turns into a nightmarish journey as they find themselves trapped on an endless backroad. The setup promises a mix of psychological tension and horror as the characters face isolation, dread, and possible supernatural forces. “It Ends” is another title we don’t hear many talking about heading into the festival. Still, we feel it’s poised to be an edge-of-your-seat thriller that could break out.
O’Dessa
O’Dessa, I have something to confessa…but no, seriously. “O’Dessa” is an exciting SXSW pick for anyone looking for a blend of awesome music, fantasy, and post-apocalyptic storytelling. Directed by Geremy Jasper (“Patti Cake$“), the stylish rock opera brings an ambitious narrative set in a future where a farm girl, played by Sadie Sink, is on a quest to recover a family heirloom. With a talented supporting cast including Kelvin Harrison Jr., Murray Bartlett, Regina Hall, and Kelly Macdonald, “O’Dessa” looks to be a fun, captivating, visually striking drama that blends heart, rock n’ roll, and post-apocalyptic thrills into an unforgettable journey.
The Rivals Of Amziah King
It’s not just the last film on the list because everything was listed in alphabetical order, but it might be my most anticipated of the entire film festival, “The Rivals of Amziah King” is the much-anticipated follow-up film from director/writer Andrew Patterson who stunned audiences a few years ago with his intense, atmospheric and cleverly executed indie “The Vast Of Night.” His latest centers around Kateri, a young woman who finds strength and purpose after a tragic loss and a reunion with her former foster parent, Amziah, played by Matthew McConaughey. The film’s strong supporting cast, including Kurt Russell, Cole Sprouse, and Rob Morgan, adds a considerable amount of intrigue to this film, making it an irresistible watch for fans of crime thrillers with an all-star cast.
What are you most looking forward to at this year’s SXSW Film Festival? Anything you’d specifically like to hear our take on when I attend? Please let us know in the comments section below or on our X account.
