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A few months ago, I made a conscious decision to reconnect with hobbies and interests I had neglected due to my career and children. Finding time to sit through a movie can be challenging, especially with short-form media like TikTok and YouTube shrinking our attention spans. However, as a promise to myself, I made it my 2025 New Year's resolution to explore the world of film. I'm here to share that journey!
Between January and March, I watched 31 films I had never seen before. Additionally, I watched 12 more in December, bringing my total to 43 since I started compiling a list. For now, I'll focus on highlights from the new year.
Of these 31 films, 20 were international, featuring languages including French, Polish, Russian, Czech, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Danish, Icelandic and German. The oldest was "The Phantom Carriage" (1921), a Swedish silent film, while the newest was "Anatomy of a Fall" (2023), an Oscar-winning French film.
While I haven't loved every movie, I have loved the experience. Today, I want to share my top five favorites from the past three months, along with my thoughts on this journey. Hopefully, you'll find something worth watching.
'Anatomy of a Fall'
This French film won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay at the 96th Academy Awards and was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director (Justine Triet), Best Actress (Sandra Huller), and Best Film Editing.
The story follows novelist Sandra Voyter, who has a strained relationship with her husband, Samuel. Hoping to mend their marriage, they relocate with their visually impaired son, Daniel, to a chalet in Grenoble, France. When Sandra finds Samuel dead in their driveway, she is thrust into a courtroom battle to prove her innocence. The most pivotal testimony comes from Daniel himself.
This film deserves all its accolades. The pacing is masterful, as new evidence and legal arguments emerge, keeping the audience uncertain of Sandra's guilt or innocence. The bittersweet conclusion lingers long after the credits roll. Since this is a recent release, it's easily accessible and currently streaming on Hulu.
'Monster'
A 2023 Japanese coming-of-age drama, "Monster" unfolds through three perspectives: a worried single mother, Saori; a kind schoolteacher, Hori; and a troubled teenage boy, Minato.
The story begins with Saori noticing disturbing behavioral changes in her son. She suspects his teacher, Hori, of mistreatment and pursues justice through school administration, only to face frustrating bureaucracy at every turn. The narrative rewinds to show Hori's perspective, revealing a compassionate educator struggling to manage Minato's actions, suspecting he may be bullying another student. Finally, the film shifts to Minato's viewpoint, where everything comes full circle in a way that recontextualizes the entire story.
This was my favorite film on this list. "Monster" explores the consequences of misunderstanding and internalized guilt, capturing the human desire to be heard and for the world to be kinder. Through these misunderstandings and misconceptions, we are constantly at risk of becoming monsters ourselves. The film begins as a mystery thriller but blossoms into a heart-wrenching coming-of-age story filled with love and redemption. By the end, your initial assumptions will be completely overturned, making for a profoundly rewarding experience.
'The Shape of Water'
Finally, an English-language film! "The Shape of Water" received 13 Oscar nominations in 2018, winning Best Picture, Best Director (Guillermo del Toro), Best Original Score and Best Production Design.
Elisa Esposito, a mute cleaning woman at a top-secret government facility, discovers a captured amphibious humanoid. Forming a deep connection with the creature, she conspires with friends to free him before he is subjected to cruel experiments that will ultimately kill him.
This film is stunning on multiple levels. The cinematography and set design create an oppressive atmosphere, making the audience empathize with Elisa and the Amphibian Man. Del Toro's signature touch humanizes the creature, forging a genuine emotional bond with the viewer. The Oscar-winning score elevates the film's dreamlike quality, making it feel poetic and otherworldly.
'La Llorona'
A 2019 Guatemalan political horror film, "La Llorona" is inspired by real events, specifically the Guatemalan genocide (1960-1996). When former dictator Enrique Monteverde (based on Efrain Rios Montt) is acquitted of crimes against Mayan communities, mass protests erupt, trapping him and his family in their home. With their house staff quitting, Enrique's wife hires a new maid, Alma. Soon, the family experiences disturbing visions and supernatural occurrences, and tensions within the household boil over until Enrique is singled out as the monster that he is.
This film seamlessly blends real-world historical atrocities with supernatural horror, creating an experience both haunting and satisfying. Watching the despised Enrique descend into madness as his family turns on him provides a sense of justice missing from the film's courtroom scenes. Be sure not to confuse this film with "The Curse of La Llorona" (2019), a much weaker American horror film. The two films are wildly different from each other, with "The Curse of La Llorona" being critically panned for its uninspired plot and mediocre performances. "La Llorona" is available on Shudder and The Criterion Channel streaming platforms.
'Memories of Murder'
Closing out my top five is "Memories of Murder," a 2003 South Korean crime thriller directed by Bong Joon-ho. Bong has since gained international acclaim, particularly for "Parasite" (2019), which won four Oscars, including Best Picture. Bong's newest film, "Mickey 17," is currently playing in theatres, which makes this recommendation all the more timely.
"Memories of Murder" is based on true events: a string of rapes and murders in Hwaseong, South Korea, during the late 1980s. The film follows two detectives, Park and Seo, whose desperation grows as they fail to capture the culprit. Every time they arrest a suspect, another crime occurs, forcing them to start over. The film's climax is drenched in tension and despair, culminating in a haunting final shot that lingers long after viewing.
At the time of the film's release in 2003, the real-life serial killer had not been identified, making its ambiguous ending all the more chilling. Lovers of crime thrillers and true crime will find this film deeply compelling. "Memories of Murder" is available for streaming on the Criterion Channel.
These are just a few of my favorites from the dozens I've watched, and I believe all five make for excellent recommendations. They each offer something unique, from emotional depth to social commentary, thrilling suspense to mesmerizing visuals. While several are in foreign languages, most have English dubbing or subtitles available.
I understand that film snobbery can be off-putting, but this journey has been eye-opening. Each film I've explored carries cultural nuances, personal experiences from the filmmakers and perspectives I might have otherwise missed. Cinema is a window into different worlds, and this experience has enriched my appreciation for storytelling.
If you're unsure where to start, "The Shape of Water" is an excellent entry point. If you're drawn to Bong Joon-ho's work, "Memories of Murder" is a must-watch. For those hesitant about foreign-language films, "Anatomy of a Fall" features many scenes in English. No matter where you begin, my hope is that I've introduced you to films you may not have considered before -- and that you'll enjoy them as much as I have.
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Jordan McCloskey is General Manager of The Express.