TIFF has officially wrapped, and I can honestly say it was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my career. From start to finish, the festival was a whirlwind of incredible films, inspiring conversations, and unforgettable encounters with some of the most talented people in the industry—both on the red carpet and behind the scenes. Over the course of the festival, I had the privilege of watching 26 films, each offering its own unique story and perspective.
Narrowing down my favorites was no easy task, but after much deliberation, I’ve selected 10 films that truly stood out. These aren’t just good—they are essential viewing, the kind of stories that stay with you long after the credits roll. Whether you’re a die-hard cinephile or just looking for something extraordinary to watch, these films demand a spot on your must-see list.
Eternity
Starting off with my favorite film of the festival, we have Eternity. Set in an afterlife where souls have only one week to decide where they will spend eternity, the film follows Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) as she faces the impossible: choosing between the man she spent her life with (Miles Teller) and her first love (Callum Turner), who died young and has waited decades for her arrival. The premise alone is enough to tug at your heartstrings, but Eternity goes far beyond a simple romantic dilemma.
David Freyne and Pat Cunnane have crafted a world that is simultaneously hilarious, imaginative, and profoundly moving—one that feels so rich and immersive you almost wish you could live in it forever. The film’s visual design and inventive afterlife concept are endlessly captivating, and there’s a playful sense of wonder in every scene. There are so many unique worlds hinted at, and I found myself wishing the story could linger even longer in each of them.
Comedically, the film is a triumph. Davine Joy Randolph and John Early deliver scene-stealing performances, their impeccable timing bringing laugh-out-loud moments without ever undercutting the film’s emotional weight. Meanwhile, the chemistry between Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller, and Callum Turner is palpable and utterly convincing, grounding the film’s fantastical elements in real, human emotion.
A24 has something truly special on their hands here. Eternity isn’t just one of the best rom-coms I’ve seen in years—it’s a film that lingers with you long after the credits roll. It’s funny, heartbreaking, magical, and endlessly rewatchable. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I saw it, and I’m already counting down the days until I can experience it again.
Mark your calendars: Eternity arrives in theaters on November 26th, 2025—and trust me, this is one you won’t want to miss.
Christy
Up next, we have the truly remarkable story of Christy Martin, the trailblazing fighter who put women’s boxing on the map in the 1990s. Going into this film, I didn’t know much about Christy or the battles she faced, but to say I was shook to my core would be a massive understatement. From start to finish, this film exceeded every expectation I had. I was completely in awe of her story—moved, heartbroken, and left in tears by the sheer intensity of her journey.
Sydney Sweeney delivers a revelation of a performance. Every nuance, every moment of vulnerability and strength, lands with the kind of power that makes you forget you’re watching an actor. She deserves serious consideration for Best Actress—it’s nothing short of extraordinary. This is easily one of my favorite films of the year, and without question one of the best biopics I’ve ever seen.
On the other side of the spectrum, Ben Foster is terrifyingly brilliant as James Martin. I’ve honestly never been angrier at a character in my life, and that’s a testament to his skill. He has a way of embodying sleazeball characters that makes you loathe them, yet forces you to stay riveted to every scene. Foster absolutely knocks it out of the park, delivering a performance that should earn him Best Supporting Actor honors.
The rest of the cast gives it their all as well, but special mentions have to go to Katy O’Brian as Lisa Holewyne and Chad Coleman as Don King, both of whom bring depth and intensity to their roles, elevating the story even further.
I cannot recommend this film enough. Here’s my advice: if you don’t know much about Christy Martin’s story, keep it that way—go in blind. Trust me, it will hit you just as hard as it hit me. Powerful, unflinching, and unforgettable, this is the kind of film that lingers long after the credits roll and left me in tears multiple times.
In theaters November 7th, 2025
No Other Choice
Park Chan-wook continues to prove why he’s one of the most visionary filmmakers working today, and his latest film is yet another remarkable addition to his illustrious career. The story begins simply enough: Man-Soo (Lee Byung-hun), a devoted employee who has poured years of hard work into a paper company, is suddenly and abruptly laid off. What follows, however, is anything but predictable. From that moment, the film spirals into directions you could never anticipate, blending suspense, dark humor, and emotional resonance in ways only Park can execute.
Visually, it’s some of the most breathtaking cinematography of the year. Every frame feels meticulously composed, simultaneously beautiful and unsettling, perfectly matching the story’s tonal swings. At its heart, the film is a tense thriller, but it also operates as a razor-sharp dark comedy—a biting commentary on the cruelty of corporate culture and the human cost of ambition and loyalty.
Man-Soo’s journey is devastating, yet utterly compelling. Faced with a world that has discarded him despite his years of dedication, he becomes a man willing to do whatever it takes to protect his legacy and provide for his family. Lee Byung-hun delivers one of the year’s best performances that lingers long after the credits roll—raw, magnetic, and unforgettable. The supporting cast is equally exceptional, each actor fully inhabiting their roles and adding layers of complexity and tension that pull you deeper into this world.
The result is a film that is as gripping as it is darkly funny, as visually stunning as it is emotionally resonant. It’s a story about desperation, resilience, and the quiet ferocity of a man pushed to his limits. For me, it easily became one of my standout favorites at TIFF, a movie that will linger in the mind and heart long after leaving the theater.
Hamnet
I don’t think any film has moved me—or made me cry—as much as Hamnet did. For those unfamiliar with the story, it’s a powerful tale of love, loss, and family grief that ultimately inspired Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, Hamlet. But Hamnet isn’t just a historical drama or a retelling—it’s a masterclass in filmmaking.
Chloé Zhao’s direction is nothing short of extraordinary. Every frame feels deliberate, intimate, and breathtaking, with cinematography that captures both the vastness of the world and the quiet, private moments of the characters’ lives. The score swells and whispers at all the right moments, enhancing the emotional weight without ever feeling manipulative. And the set and costume design are so meticulously crafted that you feel transported—not just to a time long past, but into the very hearts of these characters.
Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal give performances that are nothing less than career-defining, portraying a couple grappling with unimaginable loss with staggering honesty. But it’s Jacobi Jupe as Hamnet who emerges as a revelation—a young actor whose talent hints at a remarkable future. The portrayal of a family navigating grief is so raw and genuine that it hit me like a ton of bricks. So many films attempt to tackle grief, but few capture it with this level of authenticity.
I found myself breaking down repeatedly, unable to contain my emotions. And the final act left me utterly shattered—partly because of the brief but unforgettable presence of Noah Jupe as Hamlet, whose impact, though fleeting, lingers long after the credits roll.
Hamnet is one of those rare films that stays with you, a story that lingers in your mind and heart long after the theater lights come up. It took a story I didn’t know much about and transformed it into an experience so intimate, so heartbreakingly beautiful, that it will stay with me for years.
In theaters November 27th, 2025
Normal
Listen, Bob Odenkirk is absolutely on a roll right now, and his new film Normal instantly became one of my favorite experiences from this year’s TIFF Midnight Madness lineup. This was hands down the most fun I’ve had in a theater all year—I found myself laughing, wincing, and grinning from ear to ear, completely swept up in the chaos on screen. Director (Ben Wheatly) balances razor-sharp humor with bursts of brutal, edge-of-your-seat tension, giving the whole thing an unpredictable energy that kept the crowd buzzing.
The best way I can describe it? Imagine Assault on Precinct 13 colliding headfirst with Fargo and Hot Fuzz, then cranking the absurdity and cleverness up to eleven. Odenkirk is as sharp as ever, delivering another performance that proves he can slide effortlessly between comedy, action, and pathos without missing a beat. But it’s Billy MacLellan who completely steals the show here—his timing, delivery, and sheer unpredictability bring some of the film’s biggest, most gut-busting laughs, making him the wild card you can’t take your eyes off of.
By the end, I was left wanting more—so much more. Normal feels like the kind of cult classic in the making that you’ll want to revisit again and again, and I honestly need about ten more films just like this immediately. Midnight Madness at its finest
Sentimental Value
Another film that explored grief—perhaps the most resonant one for me personally—was Sentimental Value. As someone who lost their mother to cancer, this film pierced through my defenses in ways I didn’t think cinema could anymore. It wasn’t just about grief as an abstract theme; it was about the messy, unpredictable, and sometimes contradictory emotions that come with it. The way the film portrayed fractured family bonds and the attempt to piece them back together felt painfully honest, and I found myself reflecting on my own experiences more than I expected to.
If you’re not familiar, Sentimental Value follows sisters Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) as they are suddenly reunited with their eccentric, larger-than-life father Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård), a celebrated director who had long vanished from their lives. Gustav’s reappearance isn’t just disruptive—it’s destabilizing, reigniting old wounds while dangling the possibility of reconciliation. He offers Nora the lead role in his new film, a choice that immediately sets the stage for tangled dynamics of art, legacy, and unresolved pain.
What struck me most was how unpredictable the narrative felt. Sentimental Value doesn’t move in straight lines—it ebbs and flows like the tide, sometimes crashing with devastating emotional force, other times lulling you into moments of quiet reflection before pulling you under again. Each act carries its own rhythm, and you never truly know where the story is heading until it lands directly in your chest. While I’ll admit the middle stretch wavered a bit in momentum, the final 40 minutes absolutely floored me. It shattered me and then, almost miraculously, stitched something back together inside me—a rare kind of cinematic catharsis I didn’t even know I was longing for.
The cast is nothing short of extraordinary. Renate Reinsve delivers a performance layered with fragility and strength, her every expression charged with unspoken history. Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas provides a grounding counterpoint, embodying Agnes with a tenderness that makes you feel her ache. And of course, Stellan Skarsgård brings a magnetic, unpredictable energy to Gustav—both infuriating and endearing, embodying the contradictions of a man who has both created and abandoned. Together, they breathe life into a family dynamic so textured that you feel every sharp edge, every small gesture of affection, every wound reopened.
By the time the credits rolled, I found myself overwhelmed—in the best way. I immediately texted my brothers, needing to share that I had just experienced something that tapped into emotions I usually keep buried. Sentimental Value is not just another grief drama; it’s a reminder of how art can mirror our deepest vulnerabilities while offering a fragile kind of healing. Neon has something truly special here, and for me, it was easily one of the most personal and unforgettable watches of the year.
In theaters November 7th, 2025
Motor City
This one completely took me by surprise. When I was told there were fewer than 12 lines of dialogue in the whole film, I honestly had no idea what to expect—but man, did Motor City exceed every expectation I had. This isn’t just another action movie; it’s a masterclass in physical storytelling. The fight sequences are nothing short of awesome, they are brutal, and meticulously choreographed. Every punch, kick, and grapple feels visceral, raw, and incredibly satisfying.
Despite the near silence, director Potsy Ponciroli does an extraordinary job of immersing the audience in 1970s Detroit. The world feels lived-in, grimy, and utterly authentic, and the music choices are nothing short of perfection—carefully curated to pull you into the era and the chaos of the story.
The plot is simple but devastatingly effective. John Miller (Alan Ritchson) falls for Sophia (Shailene Woodley), the girl of a local gangster. Naturally, this catches the attention of Reynolds (Ben Foster), the film’s unapologetic scumbag. In classic gangster fashion, Reynolds frames John, sending him to prison and destroying his life. From there, it’s a relentless revenge story—Miller meticulously plotting to reclaim what was taken from him and punish those responsible.
Ben Foster is perfectly cast as the villain you love to hate, oozing menace in every scene. Shailene Woodley brings depth and fire to Sophia, fully committing to a character caught in the crossfire. The ensemble cast is packed with badass characters, but it’s Pablo Schreiber’s Savick who truly steals the show, trading blows and tension-filled moments with Ritchson in sequences that crackle with electricity. And when the final confrontation hits—wow—it’s one of the most brutal showdowns I’ve seen in a long, long time.
But make no mistake—this is Alan Ritchson’s movie. Every emotion, every pang of pain, every flicker of rage is felt through him, often without a single word spoken. He carries the film entirely on his shoulders and does so with a ferocity and intensity that is impossible to ignore. Ritchson isn’t just acting; he’s embodying raw, unfiltered emotion and physical power in a way that demands your attention.
Motor City is a cinematic punch to the gut in all the right ways. Do not skip this one when it hits theaters. Alan Ritchson is a fucking animal unleashed, and honestly, in a film this visceral, that might be all you need.
Obsession
After watching this film, it quickly became one of my favorite horror watches of the year and the perfect fit for the Midnight Madness crowd. Obsession centers on Bear (Michael Johnston), a shy and socially awkward music store employee who harbors a deep, unrequited crush on his childhood friend, Nikki (Inde Navarrette). Bear’s longing and loneliness make him a deeply sympathetic character, and Johnston’s performance gives the role a quiet, aching vulnerability that feels so relatable that it draws you in from the start.
The story takes a darkly fantastical turn when Bear acquires a mysterious, supernatural toy from the music store and makes a wish for Nikki to fall in love with him. What follows is a terrifyingly twisted exploration of desire and obsession: Nikki transforms into a monstrous figure of overwhelming fixation, and Bear—along with everyone around him—finds themselves ensnared in increasingly dangerous consequences. The narrative brilliantly balances psychological horror with supernatural thrills, keeping you on edge while exploring the very human fear of losing control over one’s desires.
Curry Barker has arrived as one of the most exciting new voices in horror, delivering a feature debut that is audacious, shocking, and unrelentingly inventive. Obsession takes the classic “be careful what you wish for” trope and pushes it into truly disturbing territory, delivering moments that are both grotesque and darkly humorous in equal measure. The sound design in particular is phenomenal: from subtle ambient noises that build an ever-present sense of dread to gut-punching jump scares that will have you leaping in your seat, every auditory choice serves the tension perfectly.
Inde Navarrette is nothing short of phenomenal in her role as Nikki. Her performance is magnetic and deeply unsettling, capturing both the seductive charm of Nikki’s initial persona and the horrifying intensity of her monstrous transformation. This is a performance that deserves serious awards consideration—it’s rare to see such a seamless shift between vulnerability, obsession, and outright terror.
Even hours after leaving the theater, the imagery and atmosphere of Obsession lingered in my mind. It’s a film that is as unforgettable as it is unnerving, and it’s no surprise that Focus Features quickly picked it up following its festival premiere. With a taut script, incredible performances, and Barker’s fearless direction, Obsession is a masterclass in modern horror and one of the standout genre films of the year.
Good Fortune
Aziz Ansari is back, and man, did he not disappoint with this one. His latest outing is a hilarious yet surprisingly heartfelt story that blends absurd comedy with sharp social commentary. The film follows Gabriel (Keanu Reeves), a well-meaning but bumbling angel who just can’t help but interfere in the lives of mortals. Believing he can teach two very different men a lesson about perspective, Gabriel swaps the lives of Arj (Aziz Ansari), a financially strapped gig worker hustling to make ends meet, and Jeff (Seth Rogen), a wealthy but out-of-touch venture capitalist who’s grown cynical despite his success.
What follows is an inspired mix of culture clash, slapstick chaos, and heartfelt revelations. Ansari has always had a gift for capturing the everyday struggles of the middle class, and Good Fortune takes that to a bigger, more imaginative stage. Watching Arj navigate the soulless boardrooms and social circles of Jeff’s ultra-rich world is both painfully funny and eye-opening, while Jeff’s fish-out-of-water plunge into gig work gives the film some of its most laugh-out-loud moments. But beneath all the laughs is a surprisingly tender reminder that wealth and status don’t guarantee happiness — and sometimes, the simple things in life carry the most meaning.
The cast is firing on all cylinders. Ansari and Rogen bring their signature comedic timing, but it’s Keanu Reeves who steals the show in his angelic, oddly childlike role. His scenes — especially one involving a passionate ode to chicken nuggies that had me doubled over. And while the three leads have plenty of chemistry, it’s Keke Palmer who really grounds the story. She brings warmth, wit, and emotional weight that helps the film stick its landing, making her the standout performer in a movie packed with big personalities.
At the end of the day, Good Fortune is more than just a comedy — it’s a feel-good story with a clever premise, sharp laughs, and just enough heart to leave you walking out with a smile. It’s the kind of film that entertains from start to finish but lingers with you afterward, reminding us that while we may not have everything we want, there’s still joy to be found in what we do have.
In theaters October 17th, 2025
Roofman
Last but certainly not least, we have Roofman. After a daring escape from prison, former soldier and professional thief Jeffrey Manchester (Channing Tatum) finds an unlikely sanctuary inside an abandoned Toys “R” Us, cleverly surviving undetected for months as he quietly plans his next move. The premise alone is thrilling, but the film takes an even more intriguing turn when Jeffrey unexpectedly falls for Leigh Wainscott (Kirsten Dunst), a divorced mother navigating her own challenges. As their paths intertwine, Jeffrey’s carefully constructed double life begins to unravel, setting the stage for a tense and compelling game of cat and mouse as the shadows of his past gradually close in.
Roofman is one of those films that surprises you in all the right ways. Channing Tatum delivers a performance at the peak of his abilities, effortlessly blending charm, vulnerability, and charisma. His chemistry with Kirsten Dunst is palpable, elevating every scene they share and giving the story an emotional depth that makes the audience genuinely invested in their journey. What initially seems like a straightforward tale of a man trying to provide for his makeshift “family” gradually blossoms into a rom-com infused with suspense, balancing humor, heartache, and genuine emotional resonance.
Supporting performances also shine. Lakeith Stanfield brings nuance and complexity to his role, adding layers of tension and intrigue, while Peter Dinklage provides some of the film’s most memorable comedic moments, offering relief and levity without undercutting the stakes. Together, the cast elevates a story that is as unpredictable as it is heartfelt.
By the time the credits roll, Roofman leaves you laughing, crying, and fully immersed in its emotionally charged, heartstring-tugging journey. It’s a rare film that seamlessly fuses romance, suspense, and humor into a single, unforgettable experience—a perfect reminder of how the right combination of story and performance can make a film linger long after you leave the theater.
In theaters October 10th
