I do watch movies year round. I try to do at least a movie a week instead of always being sucked into tv shows but with all the releases toward the end of the year it always feels like a race to the finish. Plus I like to see everything nominated for best picture (even though watching the movies seems to tank my choices in the Oscar pool).
- Frankenstein – I didn’t feel like as I was going to pick this as a best pic but overall I think the visuals and characters stuck with me. A visually rich reimagining of Mary Shelley’s classic, this adaptation leans into both horror and humanity. Rather than focusing solely on spectacle, it probes the loneliness and longing at the heart of the story. The result is haunting, ambitious, and surprisingly emotional.
- The Secret Agent – A taut espionage thriller rooted more in atmosphere than explosions. Slow-burn tension, layered loyalties, and a morally ambiguous protagonist keep the story simmering. It’s smart, restrained, and trusts the audience to stay with it.
- Sinners – A bold, genre-blending drama that layers social commentary with pulsing energy and striking visuals. With commanding performances at its center, the film wrestles with morality, ambition, and the cost of chasing something bigger than yourself. It’s stylish, provocative, and impossible to ignore. And you know I dig a vampire.
- A Nice Indian Boy – Rom coms are harder to do than they look and this worked. A heartfelt romantic dramedy that navigates love, culture, and family expectations with warmth and humor. What could have been predictable instead feels personal and grounded, thanks to a charming lead performance and an honest look at identity, belonging, and what it means to choose your own path.
- Caught Stealing – A mess from start to finish in the best way balancing action and humor. A gritty crime drama with kinetic pacing and morally complicated characters. As its protagonist gets pulled deeper into a world he barely understands, the tension ratchets up steadily. Stylish and intense, it’s built on momentum and sharp performances.
- Companion – A sleek psychological thriller that starts intimate and spirals into something far more unsettling. What begins as a seemingly simple relationship story turns into a sharp exploration of power, technology, and control. It’s tense, stylish, and just off-kilter enough to keep you leaning forward the entire time.
- Train Dreams – A meditative, almost poetic portrait of solitude and survival in early 20th-century America. I don’t love a slow movie but this was thankfully under 2 hours. With sweeping landscapes and restrained storytelling, the film embraces quiet moments over bombast. It’s contemplative and deeply human, rewarding patience with emotional resonance.
- One Battle After Another – This movie was a lot and not always in a good way but as an ambitious, high-wire narrative that blends political tension with dark humor and propulsive storytelling it mostly works. Driven by powerhouse performances and bold direction, it’s a film that refuses to sit still. Big in scope but grounded in character, it’s the kind of movie that sparks post-credits debate.
- Twinless – An offbeat character study that finds dark humor in loneliness and connection. Focused on unlikely bonds and the awkwardness of grief, it balances absurdity with surprising tenderness. It’s quirky without trying too hard and heartfelt without tipping into sentimentality, the performances lock this in.
- Sorry Baby – A sharp, intimate dramedy that balances vulnerability with wit. Centered on a woman navigating unexpected upheaval, the film finds humor in discomfort without undercutting the emotional stakes. It feels specific, lived-in, and refreshingly honest.
What did I miss? Would love to know what some of your faves were last year.
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