10. The Trial by Fire by Aurélien Peyre
Released in the heart of summer, this impressive debut feature captures adolescence with remarkable precision. Without any unnecessary effects, Aurélien Peyre portrays the transition to adulthood as a constant area of friction, where wavering masculinity, the troubles of first loves, and class fractures intersect, all seen through the tumultuous summer of Hugo and Queen, caught between desire, the gaze of others, and the quest for freedom. It's a true revelation, and we can't wait to see it at the upcoming Césars (fingers crossed!).
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9. Dossier 137 by Dominik Moll
Three years after his masterpiece La Nuit du 12, which won the César for Best Film, Dominik Moll returns with a chilling thriller about the police violence that occurred during the Yellow Vest protests. Dossier 137 scrutinizes the IGPN and methodically dismantles the mechanisms of police impunity, all without succumbing to clichés or sacrificing dramatic tension. The film subtly questions a deeply fractured French society in its relationship with the police and institutions. And you can count on us to praise Léa Drucker, once again remarkable in her performance, balancing precision and restraint.
8. Arco by Ugo Bienvenu
A total UFO of the year, Arco stands out as one of the boldest and most inspiring films in recent French cinema. At the crossroads of animation, science fiction, and existential fable, Ugo Bienvenu crafts a delicate and sensitive visual universe that’s accessible to everyone. We are amazed by the magic that radiates from the film, along with the incredibly lovable secondary characters who enrich this timeless journey that lies somewhere between Spielberg's sci-fi and Miyazaki's cinema.
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7. Black Dog by Hu Guan
With Black Dog, Hu Guan presents a film of stunning visual beauty, carried by a contemplative direction. Behind its minimalist narrative, the film explores loneliness and marginality in a rapidly changing China. The stunning visuals are even more impressive when two tracks from Pink Floyd's The Wall, "Mother" and "Hey You," elevate the film into a nearly cosmic, lyrical flight. As you can see, beneath its seemingly Mad Max-esque western veneer, Black Dog proves to be simply HYPNOTIC.
6. Mektoub My Love: Canto Due by Abdellatif Kechiche
Eagerly awaited, this second installment confirms Abdellatif Kechiche's obsession with desire and the passage of time. Between a game of deception and burning desires, the Sète trilogy, which began in 2018, concludes with a film of reunions and surprises, where each character continues to captivate us. Surprising in its measured tone (the film turns out to be extremely funny), Mektoub, My Love: Canto Due blends naturalism with twilight beauty, showcasing the encounter between Amin, a young screenwriter, and a couple of Hollywood stars working on a somewhat overly ambitious film project. True to the radicality of its creator, the film charms with its raw grace and intensity, even in its imperfections.
5. Sinners by Ryan Coogler
Ryan Coogler delivers his most personal film here. Sinners pays tribute to the culture and memory of the African American community, while also questioning the idea of collective guilt. It’s a powerful film that’s deeply human, where Coogler skillfully blends emotion and reflection in a understated yet intense direction that lingers long after watching. And what can we say about the legendary soundtrack with its jazz, blues, and soul vibes, which is among the most intoxicating of the year? It’s also often overlooked that Coogler's contract for Sinners, which allowed him to keep the final cut, is quite exceptional for this type of work and could pave the way for more freedom for other Hollywood directors. A true privilege for genre cinema, and we totally approve of that!
4. La Pampa by Antoine Chevrollier
A gripping social chronicle, La Pampa captures a youth at a standstill, caught between rural heritage and a lack of opportunities. Antoine Chevrollier impresses with the sharpness of his gaze and the depth of his characters. Each scene reflects a keen observation of daily life, turning routine into a poignant drama. The interactions between characters, sometimes silent but always revealing, resonate with their authenticity. The film thus provides a subtle and profound portrait of a generation in search of its bearings, and stands as a symbol of a France in 2025 filled with doubt and social decline.
3. One Battle After Another by Paul Thomas Anderson
Paul Thomas Anderson paints a stunning portrait of a fractured America, plagued by fantasies of greatness and ideological drift. Through intimate journeys, he tells the story of a country at war with itself. Only Anderson's talent could weave such a tale that melds sweeping narrative with psychological depth, giving each character both an epic and personal dimension. It's dense, political, and masterful. In short, an unforgettable cinematic experience! And you won't soon forget that breathtaking chase scene in the desert, a spectacular display of virtuosity that has already entered the pantheon of the genre.
2. Sirat by Olivier Laxe
With Sirat, Olivier Laxe continues his mystical exploration of the world and bodies in motion. This sensory and radical film invokes spirituality, exile, and faith in a staging of rare power. Laxe transforms each gesture and landscape into a symbol, blending contemplation with dramatic tension. The film's visual and auditory power takes the viewer on a deep and universal inner journey. It's a total cinematic experience and undoubtedly one of the most striking films of the year.
1. The Brutalist by Brady Corbet
A monumental and breathtaking fresco, The Brutalist stands out as THE big film of the year. Brady Corbet explores architecture, power, and the memory of the 20th century through a visually ambitious storytelling. It's a world of a film, demanding yet unforgettable, that remains captivating even with its 3 hours and 34 minutes (the intermission provides just enough time to catch your breath before diving back into the narrative). Corbet delivers a landmark piece of art, which (place your bets) will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on contemporary cinema with its daring nature and unique vision.
