As we roll into 2025, there’s plenty to look forward to in the world of cinema. Here, some of our writers share the releases they’re most excited about in the year to come.
Sinners (dir. Ryan Coogler)
Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan collaborations are always worth watching, from the heartbreaking Fruitvale Station and into very different worlds for Creed and Black Panther. These three contrasting films all have their merits, from a tear-jerking true story to an uplifting sports tale and more than just a standard superhero story.
The pair are set to shift gears drastically once again in 2025, with Jordan playing the lead in a Coogler-directed ‘period genre horror vampire film’.
Whilst it necessarily isn’t a genre that I’m too tapped into, I love everything that the two put out, both together and individually, so I will most definitely be seated for this and any other out-there ideas that Coogler has in that brilliant mind of his.
Words by Jamie Rooke
Mickey 17 (dir. Bong Joon-ho)
Based on Edward Ashton’s novel “Mickey 7”, Mickey 17 follows the titular Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson) who signs up to be an “expendable”, a disposable employee whose body will regenerate every time one of his iteration dies. However, one of these multiples—Mickey 17—unexpectedly survives an expedition in the ice world and has to face his latest iteration: Mickey 18.
After Parasite’s historical wins at the 2020 Oscars, everyone has been waiting to see more from Bong Joon-ho. Naturally, his newest project comes with a high level of curiosity and hype from audiences all over the world.
The science fiction black comedy, both genres that Bon Joon-ho has proven to be an expert in, was originally meant to come out in March 2024, so it is safe to say Mickey 17 has been a long time coming. Despite principal photography being completed in December 2022, the film suffered a series of seat backs due to delays in the post-production of the film and the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, but 2025 should finally be the year that the audience gets to see the director’s latest work on the big screen.
Words by Clotilde Chinnici
Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man (dir. Rian Johnson)
Cynical cinemagoers are often known to remark that every film these days is a prequel, sequel, or remake. Whilst in 2024, many of these follow-ups ended up being received far less warmly than the originals (Joker: Folie à Deux and Paddington in Peru spring to mind), writer and director Rian Johnson will be hoping to break this curse with the third instalment in his murder mystery series Knives Out.
Each film is a standalone covering its own impossible killing, linked only by the presence of Daniel Craig as private detective Benoit Blanc. The rest of the cast list reads like a who’s who of the hottest names in Hollywood, ranging from relative veterans like Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, and Andrew Scott to breakout stars of 2024 Josh O’Connor and Cailee Spaeny.
Not much is known about the plot, although clues are provided by a preview photo of O’Connor dressed as a vicar and the intriguing subtitle, which seems to be an allusion to a U2 song. But anyone who’s watched the first two films knows that gorgeous cinematography, ingenious plotting, and Craig’s comically bad southern drawl make it sure to be an irresistibly fun watch not to be missed.
Words by Eleanor Harvey
Frankenstein (dir. Guillermo del Toro)
If the first-look photos are anything to go by, Frankenstein will be visually stunning if nothing else. This retelling of the gothic classic has been a long time in the making, with Del Toro apparently pondering on it since 2007. Hopefully those 18 years of contemplation won’t lead to an overworked final product, as is often the case with long-time passion projects.
Although Andrew Garfield would surely have imbued the monster with the heartbreaking distress that it deserves, it will be interesting to see his replacement Jacob Elordi in a new light. He’s definitely tall enough to cast an ominous shadow over proceedings. Beyond the monster, it’s easy to imagine Oscar Isaac as a crazed scientist and scream-queen Mia Goth seems made for the tale.
With the familiarity of the story, the constant interest in gothic horror (seen in the success of Nosferatu) and an all-star cast, it seems inevitable that this will be a hit. While it’s currently expected to be a Netflix-only release, rumours that it might make it to cinemas are promising. It sounds like a film meant to be watched on the big screen.
Words by Lucy Carter
Support the Indiependent
We’re trying to raise £200 a month to help cover our operational costs. This includes our ‘Writer of the Month’ awards, where we recognise the amazing work produced by our contributor team. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d really appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent. Whether you can give £1 or £10, you’d be making a huge difference to our small team.