9 movies that helped make sense of the absurd reality of 2025

In the tense finale of a clash between Alma Imhoff the overworked Yale professor portrayed by Julia Roberts in this years After the Hunt and her former student Maggie Resnick (Ayo Edebiri), Alma leans in to deliver a blunt truth. Maggie, unprepared for confrontation, protests that shes uncomfortable continuing the discussion. Alma, unwavering, responds with a sharp whisper: Not everything is supposed to make you comfortable. The statement resonates deeply, reflecting the uneasy reality of 2025, a year marked by political upheavals, AI controversies, celebrity scandals, and unprecedented social turbulence. Amid this chaos, films like After the Hunt challenged audiences to confront discomfort, revealing the complexities of our times.

From extraterrestrial threats to aimless friendships, the standout films of 2025 explored the tension and contradictions of modern life, showing both its despair and its moments of human connection. They provided a lens to understand a world in flux, demonstrating that sometimes the best way to process turmoil is to immerse oneself in the darkness of a theater.

9) The Shrouds

David Cronenbergs latest, The Shrouds, blends comedy with existential dread. Vincent Cassel stars as Karsh, a widowed tech mogul who develops GraveTech, a device that allows people to interact with deceased loved ones. Cronenberg satirizes technology and societys obsession with preserving connections beyond death, blending grief, humor, and a critique of AI companionship in a uniquely darkly comedic package.

8) www.RachelOrmont.com

Peter Vacks satirical www.RachelOrmont.com captures the absurdity of online culture. Betsey Brown stars as Rachel, obsessed with a fictional pop star, leading her into a chaotic digital labyrinth. The film critiques compulsive digital behavior while highlighting the dark humor in our collective online obsessions.

7) If I Had Legs Id Kick You

Mary Bronsteins If I Had Legs Id Kick You portrays the daily struggles of modern life through the lens of Rose Byrnes exhausted mother, Linda. The film explores the tension between relentless responsibility and personal fulfillment, offering a poignant look at how ordinary people navigate a year of upheaval and personal strain.

6) One Battle After Another

Paul Thomas Andersons adaptation of Thomas Pynchons Vineland, One Battle After Another, depicts a world rife with political conflict. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Bob Ferguson, confronting systemic oppression and radical opposition. The film balances bleak realities with moments of levity, illustrating resilience amid chaos.

5) Invention

Courtney Stephens and Callie Hernandezs Invention delves into conspiracy and family dynamics, blending fact and fiction. Hernandez plays a young woman drawn into a web of deception, exploring humanitys fascination with hidden truths. The film critiques our susceptibility to manipulation while engaging viewers in its inventive narrative structure.

4) Marty Supreme

Josh Safdies Marty Supreme uses the story of a 1950s ping-pong prodigy, Marty Mauser (Timothe Chalamet), to examine ambition and identity. The film explores the drive for success at all costs, highlighting the tension between personal integrity and the pursuit of excellence, making it a timeless tale about determination and moral compromise.

3) After the Hunt

Luca Guadagninos After the Hunt dissects power, privilege, and institutional corruption. With a star-studded cast, the film navigates the gray areas between right and wrong, reflecting contemporary debates about morality and cancel culture while examining the cost of ambition and complicity in hierarchical systems.

2) Sorry, Baby

Eva Victors debut, Sorry, Baby, follows Agnes, a post-graduate grappling with trauma in a destabilized world. The film explores isolation, trust, and communal support, demonstrating how human connection becomes essential in navigating personal and societal challenges.

1) The Testament of Ann Lee

Mona Fastvolds The Testament of Ann Lee chronicles the life of the Shaker leader, portrayed by Amanda Seyfried, emphasizing faith and conviction. The film transcends its historical setting, highlighting resilience, vision, and the pursuit of utopia despite obstacles, offering a timeless meditation on belief and purpose.

Author: Noah Whitman