As a self-proclaimed cinephile who watches at least two or three movies per week, I take great pride in my recommendations. This year, I have made it my mission to make a dent in my ever-growing watchlist, and it’s going pretty well, but it can be hard not to resist the dozens of new releases, particularly as we gear up for Oscar season. There’s a newly released rom-com in there, a classic from 2001 and a two-hander that secured many awards. Here are my highlights of the year so far.
Materialists
Materialists is a 2025 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Celine Song, who formerly directed popular movie Past Lives. The film stars Chris Evans, Zoë Winters, Marin Ireland, and Louisa Jacobson alongside Pascal and Johnson. Materialists is set against the backdrop of New York City’s luxury-driven dating culture, and it follows a love triangle between a matchmaker, her aspiring actor ex-boyfriend, and a charming millionaire. I absolutely loved this film; it felt like the most accurate depiction of modern-day dating that I had seen in a while, mixed with the classic rom-com moments that have been lacking in cinema as of late. I watched it earlier this week and it has stayed with me ever since. A must-watch.
A Real Pain
A Real Pain is a 2024 comedy-drama film written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg. It is an international co-production between Poland and the United States, and the film stars Eisenberg alongside Kieran Culkin. The pair play two cousins who embody the opposite of one another as they reunite for a Jewish heritage tour through Poland in honour of their late grandmother, but their historic tensions resurface as they immerse themselves against the backdrop of their family history. I watched this film on a long-haul flight in March. I was aware of it and had heard good things, but it still really took me by surprise. I was truly engrossed in the picture from start to finish, it even had me crying. It’s a 90-minute feature too, which is a rarity these days and the perfect film length in my eyes. A Real Pain is anything but that and I’d urge everyone to give it a go.
Y tu mamá también
Y tu mamá también (which is Spanish for “And Your Mother Too”) is a Mexican coming-of-age comedy drama road film directed by Alfonso Cuarón, who co-wrote the script with his brother Carlos. Cuarón directed the third Harry Potter movie, Prisoner of Azkaban. Not a new release but I’ve been waiting to watch this one for a while, and it did not disappoint. It has a unique style of portrayal, exploring sexuality and politics, while using a narrator throughout to explain who each character is and the political landscape of Mexico in 1999. The film is visually stunning and has a very real storyline that resonates with many. It stars Maribel Verdú, Gael García Bernal, and Diego Luna, who depict their roles with style and ease. If you haven’t watched this incredible movie, do it.