The 2025 Sundance Film Festival is upon us and as always, this venerable independent film showcase always presents a grand excuse to ascend upon Park City, UT and brave freezing cold temperatures. Why? So that rabid filmgoers have an opportunity to experience that next glorious diamond in the rough.
Per usual, Sundance boasts an epic lineup of independent films and one of the things that makes this particular festival so special is that there’s no real buzz going in because no one aside from Sundance programmers and the passionate storytellers behind these films have really had an opportunity to see any of these titles. Translation; Sundance attendees themselves will essentially create the buzz that will eventually surround these movies.
There’s a lot to choose from this year but for the sake of this article, I’ve narrowed the list down to 10 films in particular that have piqued my cinematic curiosity.
This list is in alphabetical order;
BY DESIGN
This twist on the “body swap” subgenre finds an insecure woman swapping bodies with a chair and to add insult to injury, those around her prefer the company of the chair. It all sounds weird, wacky and even a bit harsh, but at the same time, consider me intrigued. BY DESIGN features an impressive cast including the likes of Juliette Lewis, Melanie Griffith, Clifton Collins Jr., Samantha Mathis, and Robin Tunney. This film from writer/director Amanda Kramer is part of Sundance’s “Next” category which features innovative films made on shoestring budgets.
DEAD LOVER
It should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me that Sundance’s beloved Midnight Section is one of my favorite categories at this esteemed fest. While I love films in general, I do have a special affection for horror. With DEAD LOVER, writer/director Grace Glowicki weaves her twisted romantic tale around a lonely gravedigger who performs experiments on her deceased would-be soulmate in an attempt to resurrect him. Yes, please!
IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU
With enough plot to fill three movies, IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU writer/director Mary Bronstein tells the story of Linda (played by Rose Byrne), a woman who must simultaneously navigate her child’s mysterious illness, an absent husband, a missing person, and a hostile relationship with her therapist. To say that this woman’s life is crashing around her would be a gross understatement.
IT’S NEVER OVER, JEFF BUCKLEY
With several notable documentaries to her credit (including DELIVER US FROM EVIL, WEST OF MEMPHIS, and PROPHET’S PREY), director Amy Berg turns her attention to gifted singer songwriter Jeff Buckley who, tragically, died in 1997 after only releasing one album. Through rare footage, messages, and interviews with those who knew him best, this looks to be a poetic look at a talented musician we lost far too soon.
OMAHA
From first time feature director Cole Webley and Sundance veteran Robert Machoian (the screenwriter behind THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS) comes the story of a pair of siblings who are taken on a cross country road trip by their father following a family tragedy. On their journey, their eyes are open to a world they’ve never known. OMAHA looks to be an authentic, stripped down, intimate, and altogether emotionally charged drama.
PEE-WEE AS HIMSELF
This 2-parter from HBO Documentary Films looks to paint an intimate and expansive portrait of Paul Reubens, aka, Pee-Wee Herman. From his childlike persona, to his big screen collaborations with Tim Burton, to his beloved children’s television series, to a late-career scandal that would throw his life into a tailspin, “Pee-Wee As Himself” will trace the life of this iconic and most colorful entertainer.
RABBIT TRAP
In this Midnight selection, a musician and her husband inadvertently disturb a local ancient folk magic after moving to a remote home in Wales. This 70s-set slice of British folk horror from British-Australian writer director Bryan Chaney stars Dev Patel and Rosey McEwen as the aforementioned married couple. Shot in 35mm, this otherworldly fable looks to explore the intricacies of marriage and the art of collaboration.
REBUILDING
Max Walker-Silverman returns to Sundance after unveiling his wonderfully understated independent romance, A LOVE SONG, at the 2022 fest. His new film, REBUILDING, finds a cowboy named Dusty attempting to rebuild his life after losing his ranch to a wildfire. Given the recent devastation caused by those horrific Southern California-based fires, this film couldn’t be any more timely and with this particular writer/director at the helm, we’re expecting a thoughtful character-driven piece about perseverance in the face of unexpected tragedy.
THE THINGS YOU KILL
This psychological thriller from Iranian-American writer/director Alierza Katami is part of Sundance’s World Cinema Dramatic Competition. It follows a university professor as he attempts to coerce another individual into carrying out a cold-blooded act of vengeance. THE THINGS YOU KILL is set to sweeping backdrops and features a renowned Turkish cast. It’s said to be a quiet and nuanced exploration into cycles of violence.
TWINLESS
From writer/director James Sweeney (STRAIGHT UP) and producer David Permut (HACKSAW RIDGE, FACE/OFF, YOUTH IN REVOLT) comes this story of two men who form a most unexpected bromance after bonding in a twins bereavement support group. Sweeney co-stars in this film alongside Dylan O’Brien (THE MAZE RUNNER, LOVE AND MONSTERS, SATURDAY NIGHT), who, if you ask me, is one of the most underappreciated actors of the last decade.
OTHER TITLES WORTH MENTIONING;
BUBBLE AND SQUEAK, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, MAGIC FARM, MARLEE MATLIN: NOT ALONE ANYMORE, THE UGLY STEPSISTER, TOGETHER, TRAIN DREAMS, and ZODIAC KILLER PROJECT
In addition to countless feature films, Sundance also prides itself on the best in shorts and there are no shortage of intriguing titles to choose from. Among them;
EM AND SELMA GO GRIFFIN HUNTING, INKWO FOR WHEN THE STARVING RETURN, PEOPLE & THINGS, RAGAMUFFIN, THE REALITY OF HOPE, and THE THINGS WE KEEP, WE’RE NOT DONE YET.
Watch for Cinemast.net Sundance coverage throughout the festival.
For more on the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, CLICK HERE!
