SXSW 2025: A Cinematic Celebration Like No Other

Attending SXSW as press for the first time was truly a one-of-a-kind experience. The energy in Austin during those ten days is unmatched—like nothing I’ve ever seen or felt before. It was incredible to be surrounded by friends and mutuals, immersed in a community that lives and breathes film.

What really sets SXSW apart from other festivals are the parties and receptions that celebrate each film in a big way. From the Drop experience and after-party, to the Together pre-party, and the unforgettable events hosted by Shudder and IFC, there was truly something for everyone. It felt like a real celebration of both film and television.

And don’t even get me started on the crowd at the Paramount Theater—you haven’t really experienced a film until you’ve heard that crowd erupt.

Though I wasn’t able to secure any red carpet interviews this time, I did have the amazing opportunity to sit down with the cast and directors of Sweetness and Redux Redux, two standout films you’ll definitely want on your radar. Those conversations—about craft, passion, and storytelling—are available on my YouTube channel and linked above. You won’t want to miss them.

If you ever get the chance to attend SXSW, I can’t recommend it enough. Just be prepared for minimal sleep, stock up on vitamin C and zinc, and stay hydrated. But let’s get into what we’re really here to talk about: movies. Narrowing this list down was tough, but here are the 10 films that stayed with me long after the credits rolled.

1. The Rivals of Amziah King

I have to start with this absolutely breathtaking film. Every once in a while, there’s a film that comes along that is one of a kind and unlike anything that came before it. This is truly a special, special film that is going to be a massive hit during award season. Matthew McConaughey will, without a doubt, be up for an Oscar for his portrayal of Amziah.

However, it is Angelina LookingGlass who truly shines and is able to stand toe to toe with McConaughey, giving us one of the best performances I’ve seen—one that takes hold of you and doesn’t let go. She is truly captivating and has such a bright future ahead of her. The film follows Amziah, a beekeeper and a major honey producer in the area. It’s a film about bees, family, music, and how all of that brings people together—and then it turns into a heist film all in one.

The film blends so many different elements, but all are handled so successfully that it never feels overcrowded. There were times I wanted to sing and clap along to the songs unfolding on the screen in front of me. I was transported into another world for 2 hours and 10 minutes, and I was left speechless by the time the credits rolled. It honestly left me in tears with how beautiful this story was, and it’s one film you need to put on your radar.

2. Good Boy

Have you ever wondered why your dog seems to be staring at the wall or looking up at the ceiling? Maybe they’re seeing something we can’t. That’s the central premise of Good Boy, a haunting horror film told from the perspective of a dog. The story follows Todd, a young man suffering from a seemingly incurable disease, who moves back to his family home with his dog, Indy. But something else seems to be following them, and what unfolds is truly terrifying.

The film beautifully explores the bond between humans and their pets, highlighting the unconditional love they provide. Indy’s loyalty and determination to protect his owner set this story apart. As the narrative progresses, and the big twist is revealed, you’ll find yourself emotionally shaken, perhaps even running home to your own dog to give them a heartfelt hug.

The cinematography is exceptional, amplifying the horror and tension. The film is filled with spine-tingling jump scares, some of which had the audience, myself included, jumping out of our seats. Whether it’s the chilling close-ups of Indy’s eyes or the long, suspenseful shots of looming darkness, director Ben Leonberg masterfully creates a terrifying yet beautiful atmosphere.

I highly recommend seeing Good Boy—and let’s all agree that Indy deserves an Oscar for being the “goodest boy” around.

3. LIFEHACK

The new screenlife film, Written by Hope Elliot Kemp and Ronan Corrigan, and directed by Corrigan, was one of the most thrilling and anxiety-inducing films I saw during my time at SXSW. The story follows four friends attempting a multi-million-dollar Bitcoin heist from their bedrooms, and what unfolds is a wild ride I didn’t expect. Everyone involved in this project delivered an exceptional performance.

Everyone involved in this project knocked it out of the park. We’ve seen similar films like Missing and Searching, but what separates this from those and other screenlife films is the way it immerses you in the world. Whether it’s through pop culture references, how we connect with others via online, or how we’re with the characters every step of their plan, you feel as though you’re witnessing one of the greatest heists of our time. It’s Ocean’s 11 through a Zoom call.

There’s a sequence near the end of the film that had me leaning forward, hands on my face, anxiously waiting for disaster to strike. The twists and turns were relentless, and it takes the idea of sticking it to “the man” to a whole new level. If there’s one thing I took away from this, it’s that we should be very wary of the internet and take better care with our passwords. It’s both unsettling and fascinating to realize how much can be accomplished from a laptop.

Make sure this film is on your radar, and if you can, see it in theaters. I can’t wait to see what these filmmakers do next.

4. Together

Michael Shanks has delivered one of the best body horror films since The Fly, effortlessly blending humor and horror. A huge part of this success is due to Dave Franco and Alison Brie, whose chemistry is undeniable. I had the pleasure of meeting them at the pre-reception, and they were incredibly kind and welcoming. Their genuine affection for each other shines through in the film, and it’s clear they had an absolute blast making it.

The story follows Tim (Franco) and Millie (Brie), a co-dependent couple going through a rough patch. Millie takes a new teaching job in a remote town, where the surrounding woods hide a dark secret. Damon Herriman also delivers a memorable performance as Jamie, Millie’s colleague and the creepy neighbor down the street. He was just as kind in person as he is unsettling in the film.

While Together is absolutely hysterical, don’t be fooled—it’s also terrifying. Some sequences made me squirm in my seat, while others nearly gave me a heart attack. One sequence had the entire theater in hysterics that involved some muscle relaxers and I don’t think I can ever look at them the same again. The body horror here is grotesque and there’s some imagery that is ingrained in my brain forever. The film oozes a sense of dread that keeps you on edge, never letting you know exactly what’s coming until it hits you square in the face.

I’ll leave it at that, as you need to experience this movie with as little prior knowledge as possible. It’s hard to believe this is Michael Shanks’ debut film—he truly knocked it out of the park. I’m excited to see what he does next.

5. Friendship

Imagine I Think You Should Leave, but stretched into a 1-hour-40-minute film. As someone who had never seen the series before, many of my friends who walked out of the screening with me compared it to that show. What I can say is this film had me crying with laughter—it’s hands down the funniest comedy I’ve seen in years. While this brand of humor may not be for everyone, there was never a dull moment throughout its entire runtime.

The story follows Craig (Tim Robinson), a suburban dad stuck in the monotony of his life, who strikes up an unlikely friendship with his neighbor Austin (Paul Rudd) after mistakenly receiving a package meant for him. What ensues is a chaotic journey of two middle-aged men navigating a friendship breakup, with Craig doing anything and everything to salvage their bond. It’s awkward, panic-inducing, and Paul Rudd essentially channels his inner Brian Fantana, delivering a performance that is nothing short of magnificent.

Kate Mara also delivers a standout performance as Craig’s wife, Tamie, a cancer survivor searching for belonging. She reveals a side of her character that we haven’t seen before, showcasing her depth in a fun way that also adds emotional weight to the film. Craig, oblivious to how good he has it, allows his need for acceptance to drive a wedge between him and his family, leading to a series of absurd and unpredictable events. 

While the humor does begin to overstay its welcome toward the film’s final moments, it’s not enough to detract from how truly brilliant and hilarious the film is overall. Writer-director Andrew DeYoung’s debut feature offers a weird and hilarious exploration of male loneliness, and it’s a film you won’t want to miss.

6. Clown in a Cornfield

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know how much I absolutely love slashers. This adaptation, based on the brilliant book by Adam Cesare and directed by Eli Craig (yes, the same Eli Craig who gave us Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, and a slew of other great horror comedies), completely delivers.

I was halfway through the book when I sat down to watch the film, and now that I’ve finished reading it, I can confidently say this is one of the best book-to-film adaptations I’ve seen in recent years.

The story follows Quinn (played by the phenomenal Katie Douglas) and her father, Dr. Maybrook (Aaron Abrams), who move to the small town of Kettle Springs after experiencing a recent loss. The town, reeling from the closure of its factory, feels stuck in the past—and unfortunately, it’s hiding some dark secrets, including a killer clown named Frendo.

Quinn falls in with a group of local pranksters who make viral videos featuring Frendo as a joke. However this clown is all too real and things quickly escalate as the kills become more creative—and more brutal. The film doesn’t hold back on the gore, and the escalation is thrilling.

What really makes this film work is how smart it is. The characters make logical decisions, and the film fully leans into its absurdity without ever feeling cheap. The setting—this outdated town frozen in time—sets the stage for some hilarious moments, including a standout scene involving a rotary phone that had the whole theater laughing including myself.

But the heart of it all is Katie Douglas. She is Quinn. It’s like she walked right out of the book’s pages, but she also brings her own depth and charisma to the role, cementing herself as a new iconic final girl—think Sydney Prescott meets Ellen Ripley.

There are some fantastic twists and a moment in the middle that completely flips the story on its head. It transforms what could’ve been just another slasher into something memorable and rewatchable—something that could stand the test of time.

Also, shoutout to the cast and director, whom I had the chance to meet at the after-party. They couldn’t have been sweeter. You can tell they genuinely care about this film, and that passion comes through on screen.

Here’s hoping Eli Craig, Adam Cesare, Carter Blanchard, and the entire cast get to keep going—because there are two more books in the series (with a fourth reportedly on the way), and I’m all in.

7. We Bury the Dead

We’ve seen countless zombie films over the years, but nothing quite like this. It opens with a massive explosion—an American military experiment gone horribly wrong. A new weapon is accidentally launched, devastating Tasmania and killing nearly 500,000 people, either from the blast or from the device’s terrifying ability to shut down the brain. But death isn’t the end here.

Some of the dead come back—but not as your average zombies. There’s a specific reason for their return, but revealing it would spoil too much.

Enter Ava (Daisy Ridley), who joins a body retrieval unit to sneak onto the now-quarantined island, desperate to find her husband who was there when the weapon hit. What unfolds is a brutal, unnerving journey through a zombie-infested wasteland that’s as emotionally raw as it is terrifying.

Ridley delivers an all-time performance, portraying a woman driven by love and grief, determined to reunite with the man she loves. She’s joined by Clay (Brenton Thwaites), who injects some dark humor and brings the firepower—sometimes literally—as they face hordes of the undead.

The film digs deep into the need for closure and the impossible lengths we’ll go to salvage what might already be lost. One of the most haunting and beautiful moments comes in a quiet scene between Ava and Riley (Mark Coles Smith) inside a house. Director/writer Zak Hilditch crafts these emotionally intense sequences with the same weight and dread as the zombie set pieces, creating a film that’s both viscerally disturbing and deeply human.

Sure, there are familiar tropes here—but the film brings enough originality, emotional stakes, and sheer intensity to stand apart. It’s bold, heartbreaking, and likely to leave you devastated in the best way.

8. The Accountant 2

Making a sequel is never easy—but making one that builds on the original and elevates it in every possible way? That’s even harder. The Accountant 2 pulls it off. This is a massive upgrade from the first film, delivering more heart, humor, and high-octane action.

Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) returns, this time teaming up with Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson), now a deputy at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Together, they’re trying to protect a family of Central American refugees whose photograph ends up in the hands of her boss, Raymond King (J.K. Simmons). But before he can explain further, King is gunned down during a mysterious meeting with an assassin, played by Daniella Pineda. Pineda’s character becomes a key piece of the puzzle, and her role only deepens as the film progresses.

The story really kicks into gear when Christian brings in his brother Brax (Jon Bernthal) to help track down the family’s missing child. This time around, Brax plays a much bigger role, and the chemistry between Bernthal and Affleck is electric. During the post-screening Q&A, Bernthal couldn’t stop gushing about how incredible it was to work with Ben—and you can absolutely see that connection reflected on screen. Their dynamic gives the sequel the feel of a brotherly road trip, complete with higher stakes, sharper writing, and a lot more fun.

There are some genuinely hilarious moments—one involving line dancing had the Paramount Theater crowd (myself included) in stitches. But when the film goes hard, it goes hard. It all builds to one of the year’s most brutal and brilliantly choreographed action sequences, showcasing both Affleck and Bernthal at their best. It’s bloody, intense, and an absolute blast.

Where the first film leaned more into straight-laced crime drama, The Accountant 2 loosens up. It’s a more entertaining, high-energy ride that still packs emotional weight—and it works on every level.

Catch it in theaters on April 25th. You won’t want to miss it.

9. ASH

Flying Lotus clearly loves aliens—and his latest film, ASH, shows just how deep that obsession runs. Getting to meet him and the cast of this wild, ambitious movie was a huge highlight of my time at SXSW. They were all genuinely thrilled to be there, sharing the insane world they built together.

In ASH, we follow Riya (Eiza González), who wakes up on a foreign planet with no memory of what happened. Her entire crew appears to be dead—except for one survivor, Brion (Aaron Paul), who tries to help her piece things together and escape the mysterious planet. Originally, the crew was sent to find a new home for humanity, but as Riya digs deeper, the truth slowly and disturbingly unfolds.

Flying Lotus brings his signature sonic flair to the film, crafting a haunting, otherworldly score that elevates the tension at every turn. The visuals are just as wild—trippy, surreal, and often straight-up terrifying. Few directors can conjure images like this.

While the pacing takes its time early on, the payoff is absolutely worth it. Once the mystery snaps into place, you’re in for a rude awakening. This feels like a psychedelic sci-fi nightmare—drawing inspiration from video games like Halo (think: The Flood), Dead Space, and Mass Effect, as well as films like Event Horizon, The Thing, and Prometheus.

The set design and costumes are next-level, and the final act goes hard. Eiza González shines in her first leading role, delivering a fierce, Ripley-esque performance. And the creature work? Terrifying.

If you’re looking for your next sci-fi horror obsession, look no further—ASH is in theaters now.

10. Drop

Christopher Landon is no stranger to horror. He’s one of the best at blending scares with heart and humor, as seen in Freaky, Happy Death Day, and its sequel Happy Death Day 2U. This time around, Landon trades in his signature slasher style for something more akin to Panic Room—a nerve-wracking, edge-of-your-seat thriller that keeps you guessing with every new revelation. It feels like a rollercoaster in the best way.

Set in our tech-obsessed world, Landon smartly weaponizes modern technology to torment his characters. The film follows Violet (Meghann Fahy), a woman still reeling from the death of her abusive husband. Though it’s unclear whether she’s fully innocent, the film slowly unpacks the truth. She hasn’t dated in years, choosing instead to focus on her young son, Toby (Jacob Robinson), who means everything to her. But she finally decides to take a chance and meet someone new—and that’s when she meets Henry (Brandon Sklenar), a charming, seemingly perfect match.

Fahy and Sklenar have incredible chemistry, and you genuinely want things to work out between their characters. Their performances are a big reason the film clicks as well as it does.

What begins as a sweet and hopeful evening quickly spirals into chaos when Violet starts receiving threatening AirDrops from an anonymous sender—someone who, as the film explains, must be within 50 feet of her. The messages grow increasingly disturbing, culminating in a chilling ultimatum: if Violet doesn’t follow instructions—including the unthinkable task of killing her date—her son and sister will die.

As Violet races to uncover who is behind the threats, the stakes continue to climb. The once-charming date night turns into a relentless psychological thriller packed with twists and turns. The final act is explosive, both emotionally and literally, delivering a payoff that feels earned.

This is ultimately Violet’s story—one of redemption, resilience, and reclaiming power. She becomes her own knight in shining armor. While some plot points may stretch believability, the wild ride Landon takes you on is undeniably gripping. You’ll find yourself rooting for Violet, Henry, and her family to survive the night.