The 2025 film festival season is quickly coming to an end, with the prestigious New York Film Festival 63 unofficially wrapping things up while simultaneously launching the greatly anticipated awards season. Given its opening at the end of September (9/26- 10/13), combined with its limited and highly curated roster, the NYFF can often seem like the “greatest hits’ of the European festival line up. For those of us reviewers and cinephiles who don’t get to make the European festival circuit, that’s not such a bad thing, especially given NYFF also manages to sprinkle in a few world premier films as well.
At the time of this writing, the festival is at its halfway mark, and below (alphabetical order) are some of the highlights, low lights; over hyped and under rated thus far…
After the Hunt– from Luca Guadagnino, the prolific director who brought us masterpiece award winning films “Call Me By Your Name” and “I am Love”, is provocative drama featuring a star-studded ensemble cast that includes Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, Andrew Garfield, Chloe Sevigny and Michael Stuhlbarg. Roberts portrays Alma Olson, a confident, ambitious Yale University philosophy professor whose comfortable, yet questionable personal life, and prestigious academic world are shaken to the core after her protege, Maggie (Edebiri) accuses Olson’s colleague and friend/sometime lover, Hank (Garfield) of sexual assault. The film centers on each character’s personal issues and histories and their responses, while navigating complex contemporary issues. Although in general it is commendable to explore multiple social issues, it became a bit problematic with the intersectionality of race and privilege, in part, I suspect, in the hands of a White screenwriter.
“After the Hunt” is an example of an over-hyped film that under delivers. For the most part, the performances are searing and compelling, especially Ms. Roberts whose Alma although pinned up and cold, is layered and somewhat interesting. The movie’s downfall has less to do with performances and off-putting nature of each character, than writing and editing. It is the actual script by first time screen writer, and Guadagnino, which is over-written, over ambitious and the film is under edited. “After the Hunt” is a two hour movie that feels more like three.
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Writer: Nora Garrett
Stars: Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, Andrew Garfield
Country: United States
Language: English
Production companies: Big Indie Pictures, Imagine Entertainment
MPAA rating: R
Runtime: 2h 19m
Anemone – This is a unique and stunning family drama from Ireland that enticed multiple award-winning actor and cinematic treasure, Daniel Day-Lewis out of retirement. Luring him back onto the big screen was probably made easier given that the screenplay was a several years collaborative project between himself and his son, Ronan Day-Lewis. It’s a story about family members whose lives are disrupted by unknown history of political and personal violence. It starts when the mother (Samantha Morton) of a deeply depressed teen son (Samuel Bottomley) urges her husband, Jim (Sean Bean) to find and talk to his brother who is also the son’s biological father , played by Day Lewis.
Day-Lewis’ character is self-exiled in the woods, living a hermit-like, and clearly troubled existence. The brothers’ relationship is fraught with secrets and anger, setting the stage for a tumultuous several days reunion as Jem tries to convince his brother to return to the son he’s never met. The movie shifts from powerful to poignant scenes, enhanced by impressive photography and sprinkled with elements of fantasy. Come for Day-Lewis’ powerhouse performance, stay for the gently woven story family, regret and redemption.
Director: Ronan Day-Lewis
Writers: Daniel Day-Lewis, Ronan Day-Lewis
Stars: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sean Bean, Samantha Morton
Countries: United Kingdom, United States
Language: English
Production companies: Absinthe Film Entertainment, Focus Features
MPAA rating: R
Runtime: 2h 1m
A House of Dynamite (Paula’s Pick )- If you liked “Hurt Locker” and “Zero Dark Thirty”, you won’t be disappointed with this latest film by Kathryn Bigelow. “A House of Dynamite” explores the military and political protocols launched when a foreign missile is detected and targeted for the United States, specifically Chicago. It is filmed from the point of view of three different agencies and/or people and in three segments, and headed up by a fantastic cast, including Rebecca Ferguson (“Silo” and “Dune”), Idris Elba and Tracy Letts. Time is of the essence, with only minutes available for the agencies/representatives, including the president, played by Idris Elba, to make life and death decisions. A response to a global catastrophic event is in the hands of a select few, most importantly the president.
“A House of Dynamite” is shot in the raw and kinetic style that Bigelow is known for, making audiences feeling as close to the mounting tension as possible. It is a political/military thriller that will have audiences on the edge of their seats from the first frame to the last… and more than likely shouting at the screen when all is said and done. The pervasive feelings are intrigue and fear, once hit with the awareness that this is a plausible scenario.
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Writer: Noah Oppenheim
Stars: Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Tracy Letts
Country: United States
Language: English
Production companies: First Light, Netflix
MPAA rating: R
Runtime: 1h 52m
Late Fame – A long forgotten, if ever known poet, Ed Saxberger (Willem Dafoe) who is now a long-time postal worker in Manhattan is plucked from obscurity by a group of creative misfit New York University students who run a literary salon. Although at first reluctant to get involved with the young group or take them up on their offer to showcase a new poem, Saxberger ends up appreciating the attention. Most notably is the attention from the one female member of the group, Gloria (Greta Lee). Gloria is a stylish, sexy, over-the-top actor who takes a liking to Saxberger. Unfortunately for him, Gloria has issues and her attention span is fleeting.“Late Fame” is a delightful sophomore entry by director Kent Jones.
Director: Kent Jones
Writers Samy Burch, Arthur Schnitzler
Stars: Willem Dafoe, Greta Lee, Jake Lacy
Country: United States
Language: English
Production companies: Pine Bay Pictures, Killer Films
MPAA rating: R
Runtime: 1h 36m
The Mirrors No. 3 – Initially on the surface, this film by critically acclaimed German director, Christian Petzold (“Transit”) seems though it might be as sweet and unassuming as it is slow and quiet, but it does not take long before it is revealed to be a bit mysterious and in at least one scene, jarring. After surviving a horrific car accident in which her boyfriend dies, Laura (Paula Beer) is inexplicably drawn to Betty, the middle-aged woman who lives alone near the site of the crash and witnessed it. Betty accepts Laura’s request to recuperate at her house. The two women quietly develop a bond, and soon Laura meets Betty’s estranged husband and 20-something-year-old son who are reticent to accept the new addition to the family. Later it is revealed why Betty was quick to bring Laura into the fold, and why her son was reluctant.
Although there is a detached quality to “The Mirrors No.3” that borders on awkwardness at times, there too is an undeniable appeal and charm that draws one in.
Director: Christian Petzold
Writer: Christian Petzold
Stars: Paula Beer, Barbara Auer, Philip Froissant
Country: Germany
Language: German
Production companies: Schramm Film Koerner & Weber, ARTE
MPAA rating:R
Runtime: 1h 26m
No Other Choice (Paula’s Pick) – Why this film was not selected for one of the prestigious positions of either festival Opener, Centerpiece, or Closer, is a mystery to this reviewer. As one of the most favored among the festival critics, “No Other Choice” got early buzz. This unique thriller/dark comedy by director Park Chan-wook (“Decision to Leave”) makes a statement on corporate executive detachment, tech intrusion on work culture, and the fragility of employment. When Man-soo (Lee Byung-hun), a middle-aged husband and father of two kids is loses his career-long job as a manager at a factory, he goes to extreme lengths to secure a similar position with a different company. Though most of his twisted behavior is hidden from his family, his wife eventually suspect the worst.
Lee deftly imbues the role with horror, humor and likability, and Park delivers a brilliant film that is absurdity at its best.
Director: Park Chan-wook
Writers: Park Chan-wook, Lee Kyoung-mi, Jay Lee
Stars: Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon
Country: South Korea
Language: Korean, English
Production companies: CJ ENM Co., CJ Entertainment, Moho Film
MPAA rating: R
Runtime: 2h 19m
