Five Personal Favourite Films of 2025: Insights from Film Critics
The year 2025 brought an impressive assortment of films that captivated audiences and critics alike. Distinguished film critics Emily Maskell, Josh Slater-Williams, Willow Maclay, Tom Huddleston, and Esmé Holden have shared their top selections, shedding light on the cinematic landscape of the year. This article delves into their favorites, highlighting standout performances, cinematography, and unique narratives that shaped the year in film.
Emily Maskell’s Top Picks
Emily Maskell selected five films that resonated with her on a personal level:
Sentimental Value (Joachim Trier) emerged as a poignant experience, while Sorry, Baby by Eva Victor also made the cut due to its heartfelt storytelling. Dea Kulumbegashvili’s April and Gints Zilbalodis’s animated feature Flow further showcased diverse storytelling methods. Finally, Laura Carreira’s On Falling rounded out her favorites, reflecting a deep exploration of themes.
Cinematography and Notable Mentions
Maskell named Darius Khondji, particularly for his work on Mickey 17, as the Cinematographer of the Year. In the category of “below the line,” Léo Silly-Pélissier stood out as the Animation Director for Flow. Maskell praised veteran actor Stellan Skarsgård as her “Old guard” choice, while Chase Infiniti represented the “New school.”
In a twist, Maskell expressed her guilty pleasure with Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, calling it “f***kin’ trash but loved it,” while criticizing KPop Demon Hunters with the remark, “Great picture… I hated it!”
Josh Slater-Williams’ Selections
Following Maskell’s reflections, Josh Slater-Williams also revealed his favorite films of 2025:
His list includes One Battle After Another (Paul Thomas Anderson), Super Happy Forever (Kohei Igarashi), and The Shrouds (David Cronenberg). He also highly regarded Marty Supreme (Josh Safdie) and Cloud (Kiyoshi Kurosawa).
Recognition of Craft and Talent
Slater-Williams honored Michael Bauman, cinematographer for One Battle After Another, as his Cinematographer of the Year. He recognized Lloyd and Rose Buck, the Hawk trainers for H is for Hawk, for their invaluable contributions in the “below the line” category. Notably, Delroy Lindo was celebrated as part of the “Old guard,” while Lily Collias represented the new generation with her extraordinary work in films like Good One, Roofman.
In a divergence from convention, he shared his affection for the controversial Final Destination: Bloodlines, referencing how it resonated with him despite its flaws. However, he was less favorable towards Anemone, critiquing its second half.
Willow Maclay’s Personal Favorites
Willow Maclay celebrated films that pushed boundaries and challenged narratives:
Her favorites included Eephus (Carson Lund), The Shrouds, and Castration Movie Anthology II: The Best of Both Worlds (Louise Weard). Additionally, she applauded If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (Mary Bronstein) and One Battle After Another.
Recognition and Disappointment
Maclay honored Autumn Durald Arkapaw for her cinematography in Sinners. Meanwhile, Ruth E. Carter’s costume design for the same film was recognized as significant below-the-line work. Celebrating legends, she noted the ongoing strength of actors like Sissy Spacek and Nick Nolte, while also acknowledging new talent including Alexandria Walton and Ivy Wolk.
In the realm of non-fiction, she recognized Mutineer by Scout Tafoya, but playfully noted her affection for Die My Love (Lynne Ramsay) as “f***kin’ trash.”
Tom Huddleston’s Favorites
Tom Huddleston revealed his top five films for the year as well, including One Battle After Another, The Mastermind (Kelly Reichardt), and 28 Years Later (Danny Boyle). His selection also spotlighted Sirat (Oliver Laxe) and It Was Just An Accident (Jafar Panahi).
Celebrated Cinematography
Huddleston echoed acclaim for Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s cinematography in Sinners, highlighting the film’s visual storytelling. He took a moment to recognize Paul Katte and Nick Nicolaou for their gnarly special effects work on Bring Her Back.
His depiction of Benicio del Toro as adorable in OBAA marked his praise for the old guard, while Harry Melling was named as a new standout actor to watch. Huddleston’s best non-fiction pick was The Voice of Hind Rajab, while he humorously quipped about rejecting the notion of liking a movie simply to fit into a category.
Esmé Holden’s Selections
Finally, Esmé Holden included her picks for 2025, featuring Cloud (Kiyoshi Kurosawa), The Phoenician Scheme (Wes Anderson), and 28 Years Later. She also highlighted Youth (Homecoming) (Wang Bing) and Cent mille milliards (Virgil Vernier).
Rising Stars and Industry Wishes
Holden praised the talent of Mia Threapleton in The Phoenician Scheme as part of a new generation, while recognizing Ralph Fiennes’ strong performance in 28 Years Later as a testament to the old guard. As for her wishes for 2026, she wished for increased beauty in cinema, moving toward a return to former artistic standards.
This collective reflection by critics showcases the variety of cinematic experiences that 2025 had to offer, encouraging audiences to seek out these beloved films. The year has produced nuanced narratives and breath-taking visual artistry that will likely influence the film industry going forward.
