The Venice International Film Festival is happening right now, running from August 27 to September 6, 2025, and it’s capturing the attention of cinephiles, critics, and movie fans around the world. The festival is always a place to see what’s new and exciting in global cinema, and this year is no exception, with premieres generating buzz, conversation, and even a bit of controversy. I, personally, have been following it very closely!
For those who are unaware, Venice is the oldest film festival in the world, first held in 1932, and it’s widely considered one of the most prestigious. Filmmakers from across the globe come here to debut ambitious, artistic, and socially relevant films, compete for awards like the Golden Lion, and set the stage for the rest of the awards season. Unlike larger, more commercial festivals, Venice tends to highlight movies that are somewhat experimental– films that are meant to make you reflect, discuss, and debate.
The 82nd edition, under jury president Alexander Payne, features a mix of both established and newer directors, with premieres that have drawn strong audience reactions and critical praise. There has been quite a wide range of genres so far– from political dramas, to biopics, to docufiction, and more. I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about each movie that has premiered so far, and my personal thoughts and predictions (disclaimer: since I am stuck being a Winthrop resident and am not in Venice, I have not seen any of the movies, so bear with me).
Bugonia
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Premiere Date: August 28, 2025
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
Standing Ovation: 6 minutes
In this sci-fi thriller, Emma Stone stars as a high-powered CEO who is kidnapped by two conspiracy-obsessed men convinced she’s an alien intent on destroying Earth. The film is a reimagining of the Korean cult classic Save the Green Planet! I haven’t seen too much buzz about this, but the reviews I have seen are entirely positive. Critics are praising its unique storytelling and Lanthimos’s distinctive directorial style.
Jay Kelly
Director: Noah Baumbach
Premiere Date: August 28, 2025
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
Standing Ovation: 10 minutes
George Clooney stars as Jay Kelly, a famous actor on a European road trip with his manager (Adam Sandler). It’s described to be a heartfelt journey about fame, friendship, and finding meaning. Audiences were pretty quiet about this one, but critics are praising the performances and the film’s emotional depth.
After the Hunt
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Premiere Date: August 29, 2025
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 53%
Standing Ovation: 6 minutes
I’ve been hearing some disappointing things about After the Hunt. Julia Roberts stars in a reflective story about grief and personal reinvention, but apparently, it didn’t land as well as hoped– sad news because I like Guadagnino’s work. The audience gave a six-minute standing ovation, and while Roberts’ performance is solid, it seems the film didn’t generate much buzz.
No Other Choice
Director: Park Chan-wook
Premiere Date: August 29, 2025
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Standing Ovation: 8.5 minutes
No Other Choice is the film everyone’s talking about. Adapted from Donald E. Westlake’s novel The Ax, it follows a laid-off worker, played by Lee Byung-hun, who gradually spirals into extreme, violent behavior. The buzz around this one is intense: critics are calling it phenomenal, and Lee Byung-hun is being hailed as a standout. I saw one review that described it as Parasite meets Looney Tunes, which immediately caught my attention. (Many critics have already labeled it “this year’s Parasite,” so my interest is high.) The audience gave it around eight and a half minutes of standing ovation– slightly less than some other films– but No Other Choice has undoubtedly been the most acclaimed and best reviewed film of the festival in its entirety. There’s already a ton of hype for its U.S. theatrical release in December (especially from me). Personally, I’m hoping it makes a run at the Oscars– it’s the one I’m most excited about this year.
Frankenstein
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Premiere Date: August 30, 2025
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
Standing Ovation: 14 minutes
Del Toro’s Frankenstein is a visually impressive adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic, starring Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac. Word around the festival is that Elordi’s performance is generating Oscar buzz, which is exciting to hear. Critics are a bit split– some love the visuals and emotional weight, while others think the story itself is a little thin– but audiences reportedly loved it, so I’m very curious to see it once it gets released.
The Wizard of the Kremlin
Director: Olivier Assayas
Premiere Date: August 31, 2025
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 52%
Standing Ovation: 10 minutes
Jude Law stars as a powerful figure in the Kremlin, navigating political intrigue. In all honesty, I haven’t heard much about this film, and the reviews I have seen are incredibly mixed, with some finding it slow and overly complicated. However, lots of critics are praising Jude Law’s performance as Vladimir Putin, so there’s that!
Father Mother Sister Brother
Director: Jim Jarmusch
Premiere Date: August 31, 2025
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Standing Ovation: 6 minutes
This film, featuring an ensemble cast that includes Cate Blanchett and Adam Driver, explores the messy, complicated ties between parents and siblings, and how the choices of one generation ripple through the next. Both critics and audiences have responded very positively, as I’ve seen. If you like reflective films about family dynamics, this would probably be your jam.
The Testament of Ann Lee
Director: Mona Fastvold
Premiere Date: September 1, 2025
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
Standing Ovation: 15 minutes
I’ve heard great things about this one. Amanda Seyfried stars as Ann Lee, the founder of the Shaker movement. The film follows her fight to lead her religious community, navigate societal expectations, and push against the gender norms of her time. Critics praised Seyfried’s performance and the emotional weight of the story. The audience loved it too– 15-minute ovation– and it’s been one of the festival’s most talked-about entries. I’m super excited to see this!
The Smashing Machine
Director: Benny Safdie
Premiere Date: September 1, 2025
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%
Standing Ovation: 15 minutes
This film focuses on MMA fighter Mark Kerr, played by Dwayne Johnson. Apparently, it’s allowing viewers to see The Rock in a totally new light– vulnerable and surprisingly emotional. From the trailers, I’m already very intrigued, as he looks crazily different; it seems he committed strongly to the role, which I respect. Audiences gave it a 15-minute standing ovation, and Johnson’s performance seems to make the movie stand out.
A House of Dynamite
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Premiere Date: September 2, 2025
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
Standing Ovation: 11 minutes
This film is set entirely in the White House during a looming missile strike, following real-time decision-making from the President and his team. Critics were impressed with the ensemble cast and the immersive tension, though I haven’t heard much buzz around it.
In the Hand of Dante
Director: Julian Schnabel
Premiere Date: September 3, 2025
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 40%
Standing Ovation: 9.5 minutes
This film follows Tosches, portrayed by Oscar Isaac, who is drawn into a violent quest to authenticate a manuscript believed to be Dante’s The Divine Comedy, written in the poet’s own hand. Despite the star-studded lineup, the film has received mixed reviews. Critics have praised its ambition, but have critiqued its narrative complexity and pacing issues.
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Premiere Date: September 3, 2025
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Standing Ovation: 23 minutes
This is a film absolutely everyone is talking about; it seems to be the emotional centerpiece of the festival. The Voice of Hind Rajab follows the final phone calls of a child trapped in Gaza during a bombing, mixing documentary and dramatized elements. Critics are calling it “fierce, urgent, and heart-shattering,” and audiences gave a record-breaking 23-minute standing ovation– the longest in Venice history! From what I’ve been following, it’s having a huge impact, both emotionally and critically. I will definitely be giving it a watch.
Now, looking ahead to the Golden Lion (the highest prize given to a film at the Venice Film Festival), two films seem to be leading the conversation: No Other Choice and The Voice of Hind Rajab. I’m definitely predicting the award will go to one of the two. Historically, Venice tends to favor films that combine artistry with social or political relevance, which might give The Voice of Hind Rajab an edge– but the universal praise for No Other Choice makes it a serious contender too. Either way, Venice 2025 is shaping up to be a festival full of thought-provoking, conversation-starting films, and I absolutely cannot wait to see these movies once they’re released theatrically. The Golden Lion winner will be announced on Saturday, September 6th, so if you’re curious, be sure to keep yourself updated! I know I will.
