Sundance Film Festival 2025: Movie Scorecard

Critics Consensus: James Sweeney's sophomore outing reveals a twisty, grief-ridden journey of the unexpected -- buoyed by a perfectly sensitive Dylan O'Brien.

Synopsis: In Twinless, two young men meet in a twin support group and form an unlikely friendship. Roman (Dylan O'Brien) and Dennis (James Sweeney) both search... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Dylan O'Brien, James Sweeney, Aisling Franciosi, Lauren Graham

Directed By: James Sweeney

Critics Consensus: A melancholy journey leading to a mysterious destination, Omaha rewards patience with its cumulative emotional wallop and John Magaro's quietly haunting performance.

Synopsis: A struggling father embarks on a road trip across the American West with his two children. What begins as a seemingly spontaneous family journey gradually... View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Magaro, Molly Belle Wright, Wyatt Solis, Talia Balsam

Directed By: Cole Webley

Critics Consensus: Given an extra sinew of authenticity by the metatextual casting of Alison Brie and Dave Franco at the top of their game, Together is a body horror that's as emotionally sticky as it is memorably gnarly.

Synopsis: Years into their relationship, Tim and Millie (Dave Franco and Alison Brie) find themselves at a crossroads as they move to the country, abandoning all... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Dave Franco, Alison Brie, Damon Herriman, Mia Morrissey

Directed By: Michael Shanks

Critics Consensus: Carrying off difficult subject matter with a light touch and wry sense of humor, Sorry, Baby triumphantly announces writer-director and star Eva Victor as a formidable talent.

Synopsis: Something bad happened to Agnes. But life goes on... for everyone around her, at least.

Starring: Eva Victor, Naomi Ackie, Lucas Hedges, John Carroll Lynch

Directed By: Eva Victor

Critics Consensus: A ruminative thriller that brings life or death stakes to deeply existential questions, The Things You Kill is a marvelous work by writer-director Alireza Khatami that stimulates the mind as much as it punches the gut.

Synopsis: Haunted by the suspicious death of his ailing mother, Ali, a university professor coerces his enigmatic gardener to execute a cold-blooded act of vengeance. As... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ekin Koç, Ercan Kesal, Hazar Ergüclü, Erkan Kolcak Kostendil

Directed By: Alireza Khatami

Critics Consensus: Life After stands as a measured yet incendiary work which channels personal insight and journalistic precision to ask urgent, unsettling questions regarding the societal and institutional structures that impact those with disabilities.

Synopsis: In 1983, a disabled Californian woman named Elizabeth Bouvia sought the "right to die," igniting a national debate about autonomy, dignity, and the value of... View Full Synopsis

Directed By: Reid Davenport

Critics Consensus: As gripping as it is deeply unsettling, The Perfect Neighbor lays bare the systemic failures and the quiet terror embedded in American legal systems with surgical precision.

Synopsis: 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"... View Full Synopsis

Directed By: Geeta Gandbhir

Critics Consensus: Sierra Falconer's serene coming of age anthology feature debut packs in more sublime hits than overwrought misses.

Synopsis: The lives of a girl learning to sail, a boy fighting for first chair, two sisters and a fisherman intertwine in a small town.

Starring: Marceline Hugot, Adam LeFevre, Maren Heary, Lauren Sweetser

Directed By: Sierra Falconer

Critics Consensus: Chronicling one whistleblower's uphill struggle with clear-eyed insight, Mr. Nobody Against Putin is a powerful documentary that vividly illustrates the resilience of everyday people against institutional forces.

Synopsis: Pavel "Pasha" (33) is a teacher and event organizer at a small primary school in a Russian town with a population of 10,000. In ordinary... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Pasha Talankin

Directed By: David Borenstein

Critics Consensus: Devilishly examining the intersection of fame and obsession to thrilling effect, Alex Russell's directorial debut delivers on all fronts.

Synopsis: A screw-turning psychological thriller made for the moment, LURKER is the razor-sharp directorial debut from The Bear and Beef writer-producer Alex Russell. When twenty-something Los... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Théodore Pellerin, Archie Madekwe, Sunny Suljic, Cam Hicks

Directed By: Alex Russell

Critics Consensus: Taking a hammer and chisel to a quintessential fairy tale, The Ugly Stepsister's masterful application of gore and subversion are the stuff that nightmares are made of.

Synopsis: In a twisted take on the classic Cinderella story, 'The Ugly Stepsister' follows Elvira as she battles to compete with her insanely beautiful stepsister. In... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Ane Dahl Torp, Flo Fagerli

Directed By: Emilie Blichfeldt

Critics Consensus: Directed with unflinching verve by Dea Kulumbegashvili, April is a searing depiction of professional integrity and the visceral realities of childbirth.

Synopsis: Nina works in the only small hospital of a provincial town as an OB-GYN. Single and in abstinence from personal relationships, she is unconditionally devoted... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Merab Ninidze, Roza Kancheishvili, Ana Nikolava, David Beradze

Directed By: Dea Kulumbegashvili

Critics Consensus: Andrew Ahn lends a tender eye to a humorous and heartfelt remake that boasts loving performances to be embraced by all.

Synopsis: From Director Andrew Ahn comes a joyful comedy of errors about a chosen family navigating cultural identity, queerness, and family expectations. Frustrated with his commitment-phobic... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Han Gi-chan

Directed By: Andrew Ahn

Critics Consensus: A taciturn drama that winds up having a lot to say about community and resilience, Rebuilding reaches great heights with Josh O'Connor's terrific performance serving as its rock-solid foundation.

Synopsis: A gently humanist story of the American West from Max Walker-Silverman (A Love Song), Rebuilding follows Dusty (Josh O'Connor), a reserved, divorced father whose ranch... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Josh O'Connor, Meghann Fahy, Kali Reis, Lily LaTorre

Directed By: Max Walker-Silverman

Critics Consensus: An affectionate celebration of Sly & the Family Stone that's all the more powerful for recognizing its subject's flaws, SLY LIVES! is a sterling sophomore documentary feature from Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson.

Synopsis: "SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)" examines the life and legacy of Sly & The Family Stone, the groundbreaking band led by the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: André Benjamin, D'Angelo, Chaka Khan, Q-Tip

Directed By: Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson

Critics Consensus: A gorgeous meditation on America, ably shouldered by one of Joel Edgerton's very best performances, Train Dreams takes on mythic proportions while maintaining an intimate emotional delicacy.

Synopsis: Based on the beloved novella by Denis Johnson, Train Dreams is the moving portrait of Robert Grainier (Golden Globe-nominee Joel Edgerton), whose life unfolds during... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Joel Edgerton, Clifton Collins Jr., Felicity Jones, Alfred Hsing

Directed By: Clint Bentley

Critics Consensus: A searing and intellectually rigorous documentary, Predators examines the motives behind public justice to reveal the disturbing ethical consequences of turning real life trauma into spectacle.

Synopsis: To Catch a Predator was a popular television show designed to hunt down child predators and lure them to a film set, where they would... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christopher J. Hansen, Dani Jayden

Directed By: David Osit

Critics Consensus: The Ballad of Wallis Island hums along a sweet melody without lapsing into outright sentimentality, mining a great deal of warmth from its humble premise.

Synopsis: THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND follows Charles (Tim Key), an eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island and dreams of getting his... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Basden, Tim Key, Carey Mulligan, Akemnji Ndifernyan

Directed By: James Griffiths

Critics Consensus: Confined to a limited setting, Peter Hujar's Day proves surprisingly expansive as director Ira Sachs insightfully captures the repartee between Rebecca Hall and Ben Whishaw at the top of their game.

Synopsis: A film adaptation of the book, Peter Hujar's Day, by Linda Rosenkrantz. It invites audiences into a single day in 1974 with groundbreaking queer photographer... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Rebecca Hall, Ben Whishaw

Directed By: Ira Sachs

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: After a series of unfortunate events leaves their house uninhabitable and reeking of poo, two co-dependent friends, Joey and Craig, find themselves homeless and out... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Olivia Taylor Dudley, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jordan Gavaris, Marlene Forte

Directed By: Addison Heimann

Critics Consensus: Captured with bracing frankness by director Mtsyslav Chernov, 2000 Meters to Andriivka is a poignant missive from the front lines.

Synopsis: A Ukrainian platoon's mission: traverse a heavily fortified mile of forest to liberate a strategic village from Russian forces. A journalist accompanies them, witnessing the... View Full Synopsis

Directed By: Mstyslav Chernov

Critics Consensus: Liable to leave audiences in a cold sweat, this fever dream immersion into parental stress connects with thunderous force thanks to Rose Byrne's gutsy star turn and director Mary Bronstein's uncompromising vision.

Synopsis: With her life crashing down around her, Linda (Rose Byrne) attempts to navigate her child's mysterious illness, her absent husband, a missing person, and an... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Rose Byrne, Conan O'Brien, Danielle Macdonald, Christian Slater

Directed By: Mary Bronstein

Critics Consensus: Weaving a visually sumptuous web of musical intrigue, Kiss of the Spider Woman showcases beauty in tragedy through wondrous performances by Jennifer Lopez, Tonatiuh Elizarraraz and Diego Luna.

Synopsis: Dreamgirls and Beauty and the Beast director Bill Condon returns to the movie musical in this dazzling Technicolor-hued fantasy. Valentín (Diego Luna), a political prisoner,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Diego Luna, Tonatiuh, Jennifer Lopez, Bruno Bichir

Directed By: Bill Condon

Critics Consensus: A bold and humane directorial debut from Nadia Fall, Brides transforms a sensational headline into an emotionally grounded coming-of-age tale, where compassion, humor, and startling authenticity abound.

Synopsis: Inspired by real-life events, Brides follows two alienated British Muslim teenagers, Doe and Muna, who leave the UK for Syria in search of belonging, freedom,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ebada Hassan, Safiyya Ingar, Yusra Warsama, Leo Bill

Directed By: Nadia Fall

Critics Consensus: Didn't Die mixes lo-fi visuals, humor, and horror effectively, but uneven pacing and a slight premise keep its drama from fully landing.

Synopsis: A podcast host, Vinita (Kiran Deol), struggles to maintain her dwindling audience amid the zombie apocalypse, but when her ex shows up with an orphaned... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Kiran Deol, George Basil, Samrat Chakrabarti, Katie McCuen

Directed By: Meera Menon

Critics Consensus: Unearthing fascinating archival materials to provide newfound insight into one of popular culture's most iconic couples, One to One helps audiences get know John and Yoko better than they could previously imagine.

Synopsis: An expansive and revelatory inside look at the 18 months John Lennon and Yoko Ono spent living in Greenwich Village in the early 1970s, ONE... View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Lennon, Yoko Ono

Directed By: Kevin Macdonald, Sam Rice-Edwards

Critics Consensus: Folktales may skim the surface of its subjects' growing pains, but is most resonant in its heartwarmingly pleasant, canine-abundant exterior.

Synopsis: In Oscar®-nominated filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady's life-affirming documentary, teenagers converge at a traditional folk high school in Arctic Norway where they must rely... View Full Synopsis

Directed By: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady

Critics Consensus: This tension-filled coming out story marks a welcome debut for director Carmen Emmi, whose Plainclothes showcases the perils of love and the effects of isolation.

Synopsis: At his mother's New Year’s Eve party Lucas, a young police officer, loses a letter no one was ever meant to read. Amid the backdrop... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Blyth, Russell Tovey, Maria Dizzia, Christian Cooke

Directed By: Carmen Emmi

Critics Consensus: A marvel of state-of-the-art puppetry and visual effects, The Legend of Ochi elevates its predictable story with enchanting presentation.

Synopsis: In a remote village on the island of Carpathia, a shy farm girl named Yuri is raised to fear an elusive animal species known as... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Helena Zengel, Finn Wolfhard, Emily Watson, Willem Dafoe

Directed By: Isaiah Saxon

Critics Consensus: Director Charlie Shackleton rescues victory from the jaws of defeat in Zodiac Killer Project, a revelatory rumination on filmmaking and the overindulgences of the true crime genre.

Synopsis: Filmmaker Charlie Shackleton ruminates on his unfinished Zodiac Killer documentary, playfully probing and unraveling true crime's inner workings and deconstructing the ubiquitous genre with deadpan... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Charlie Shackleton, Guy Robbins, Lee Nicholas Harris

Directed By: Charlie Shackleton

Critics Consensus: Amanda Kramer's delicate creation intellectualizes the absurdity of objectification, yet this film won't sit still in the audience's mind and that's By Design.

Synopsis: A woman (Juliette Lewis) swaps bodies with a chair, and everyone likes her better as a chair in a surreal, deadpan comedy from director Amanda... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Juliette Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Samantha Mathis, Robin Tunney

Directed By: Amanda Kramer

Critics Consensus: Bunnylovr is a daring debut by Katarina Zhu, but it's lack of focus makes its meandering plot more frustrating than effective.

Synopsis: A cam girl navigates a toxic client relationship while reconnecting with her estranged, dying father, exploring complex relationships and family dynamics.

Starring: Katarina Zhu, Austin Amelio, Perry Yung, Jack Kilmer

Directed By: Katarina Zhu

Critics Consensus: Olivia Coleman and John Lithgow turn in wonderful performances but this overly sentimental attempt at pathos often overstays its welcome.

Synopsis: Filmmaker Hannah (Olivia Colman) takes her trans nonbinary teenager Frances (Aud Mason-Hyde) to Amsterdam, to visit their gay grandfather--lovingly known as "Jimpa" (John Lithgow). But... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Olivia Colman, John Lithgow, Cody Fern, Aud Mason-Hyde

Directed By: Sophie Hyde

Critics Consensus: Atropia's satirical farce of a militarized industrial complex is buoyed by Alia Shawkat's committed performance to a point, but ultimately succumbs under the weight of its own pretense.

Synopsis: Fayruz is the star thespian of Atropia, a fake country the US military has devised for immersive training. Though she takes great pride in her... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Alia Shawkat, Callum Turner, Jane Levy, Chloë Sevigny

Directed By: Hailey Gates

Critics Consensus: Malkovich is clearly having a ball playing a nefarious pop musician in Opus, but unfortunately the rest of this thriller is too conceptually confused for the star's fun to prove infectious.

Synopsis: A young writer (Ayo Edebiri) is invited to the remote compound of a legendary pop star (John Malkovich) who mysteriously disappeared thirty years ago. Surrounded... View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Malkovich, Ayo Edebiri, Murray Bartlett, Tatanka Means

Directed By: Mark Anthony Green

Critics Consensus: A struggle and bleak.

Synopsis: Accused of smuggling cabbages into a nation where cabbages are banned, Declan and Delores must confront the fragility of their new marriage while on the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Himesh Patel, Sarah Goldberg, Steven Yeun, Dave Franco

Directed By: Evan Twohy