The New York Film Festival (NYFF) has officially begun, offering a carefully curated selection of cinematic works. This article compiles a list of both critically acclaimed films that have already captivated audiences and highly anticipated upcoming premieres. Featuring diverse genres and narrative approaches, the festival promises a wealth of engaging stories, from powerful dramas and intense thrillers to insightful character explorations and heartfelt tributes to the art of filmmaking.
Spotlight on the 2025 New York Film Festival: Critically Acclaimed and Highly Anticipated Films
The New York Film Festival, running from today until October 13 at Lincoln Center, is buzzing with excitement. Having already seen many of the selections from festivals like Sundance and Cannes, the team at Vogue has pinpointed the films that stand out. This year's lineup features a compelling mix of established directors and rising talents, offering a rich tapestry of narratives. Among the highlights is Luca Guadagnino's After the Hunt, a complex drama examining themes of sexual assault and power dynamics within academia. While its narrative scope is ambitious, the film is anchored by strong performances from Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield, alongside exquisite production design. Richard Linklater contributes two films: Blue Moon, a poignant portrayal of a Broadway lyricist's artistic decline starring an exceptional Ethan Hawke, and Nouvelle Vague, a delightful exploration of Jean-Luc Godard's early filmmaking journey. Kathryn Bigelow's A House of Dynamite offers a gripping nuclear crisis thriller with a subversive twist, while Mary Bronstein's If I Had Legs I’d Kick You delivers a dark yet witty mother-in-crisis story featuring a career-defining performance from Rose Byrne. Iranian dissident director Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or-winning thriller, It Was Just an Accident, delves into trauma and moral ambiguity under authoritarian rule, with a special conversation planned between Panahi and Martin Scorsese. Kelly Reichardt’s The Mastermind showcases Josh O’Connor in a darkly comedic tale of suburban disillusionment set against the Watergate era. Christian Petzold's haunting German drama Miroirs No. 3, starring Paula Beer, explores memory and identity with a rich atmospheric touch. Rebecca Zlotowski’s psychological mystery, A Private Life, features a captivating Jodie Foster speaking entirely in French, unraveling a patient's suspicious death. Carla Simón's Romería is a deeply moving Spanish drama about an 18-year-old’s journey of self-discovery through her family’s hidden past.
Looking ahead, several films are generating considerable buzz. Stillz's debut feature, Barrio Triste, promises an immersive and intense found-footage exploration of Medellín's gang life, with music by Arca. The Argentinian drama The Currents follows a fashion designer's eerie mid-life crisis after a mysterious event in Switzerland. Jim Jarmusch’s Father Mother Sister Brother, a star-studded "anti-action film," offers a quiet, observational triptych of family stories that won the Golden Lion at Venice. Paolo Sorrentino's La Grazia, lauded at Venice, centers on an aging Italian president, starring Toni Servillo. Bradley Cooper's third directorial effort, Is This Thing On?, featuring Will Arnett as a man navigating a midlife crisis through stand-up comedy, is highly anticipated. Hlynur Pálmason’s The Love That Remains, a contemporary family drama, blends fantasy with a fractured family narrative. A five-part docuseries, Mr. Scorsese, directed by Rebecca Miller, promises a definitive portrait of Martin Scorsese with interviews from cinematic legends. Ira Sachs and Ben Whishaw reunite for Peter Hujar’s Day, focusing on a pivotal conversation between the photographer Hujar and writer Linda Rosenkrantz. Joachim Trier and Renate Reinsve collaborate again on Sentimental Value, a family drama exploring a film director's plan to make a movie about his late wife. Lastly, Scott Cooper’s biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, starring Jeremy Allen White, chronicles the creation of Bruce Springsteen's iconic 1982 album Nebraska.
The New York Film Festival consistently serves as a vital platform for cinematic innovation and storytelling, and this year's selection underscores the enduring power of film to explore profound human experiences. From the intricate character studies to the broad social commentaries, each film offers a unique lens through which to view the world, inspiring both reflection and discussion. The festival not only celebrates established masters but also champions emerging voices, ensuring a vibrant future for global cinema.