10 Underrated Movies from 2025 You Might Have Missed
The year 2025 showcased an array of remarkable independent films that garnered both critical acclaim and audience appreciation, despite often lacking the marketing power of major blockbusters. These films demonstrated that success in cinema does not necessarily hinge on large budgets, earning accolades across various global film festivals while remaining largely off the mainstream radar.
Notable titles from the year include the coming-of-age dramedy DJ Ahmet, the tense romantic thriller Plainclothes, and the French body-horror feature Else, each offering unique storytelling and perspectives.
ATROPIA
Directed by Hailey Gates and starring Alia Shawkat, Atropia is a satirical war dramedy that follows Fayruz (Shawkat), an aspiring actress who acts as a role-player for the U.S. military in a simulated Iraqi war zone. As she engages in her role as an Iraqi civilian, she develops a complicated romance with Abu Dice (Callum Turner), an American veteran portraying a local insurgent, thereby blurring the lines between their staged identities and real lives.
DJ AHMET
Directed by Georgi M. Unkovski, DJ Ahmet won the Sundance World Cinema Audience Award and the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision. It tells the story of 15-year-old Ahmet, a shepherd in a remote village in North Macedonia who finds refuge in electronic dance music amidst the pressures of his conservative upbringing. His romance with Aya, a girl promised to another man, leads to a clandestine dance project that challenges deep-rooted traditions in their community.
PLAINCLOTHES
Set in 1990s New York and directed by Carmen Emmi, Plainclothes follows Lucas (Tom Blyth), a closeted police officer working undercover to catch gay men in public restrooms. As he confronts his identity, a powerful connection emerges with Andrew (Russell Tovey), leading to a secret romance that complicates their lives amid Lucas’s professional obligations.
ELSE
Directed by Thibault Emin, Else explores a body-horror romance as introverted Anx (Matthieu Sampuer) and free-spirited Cass (Édith Proust) navigate a relationship amid a global epidemic causing people to merge with their environment. Quarantine forces them to confront both their feelings and the terrifying implications of their physical transformation.
LATIN BLOOD: THE BALLAD OF NEY MATOGROSSO
Directed by Esmir Filho, Latin Blood: The Ballad of Ney Matogrosso chronicles the life of Ney Matogrosso, one of Brazil’s most iconic singers. The film highlights his rise from a repressive upbringing to becoming an openly queer glam rock sensation, challenging norms during Brazil’s military dictatorship.
EDDINGTON
Directed by Ari Aster and starring Joaquin Phoenix, Eddington is a darkly comedic neo-Western set amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. It follows sheriff Joe Cross, whose anti-mask stance brings him into conflict with the liberal mayor of his small town, leading to an explosive rivalry.
HOLY COW
Directed by Louise Courvoisier, Holy Cow follows Totone, a young man forced to take over his family’s farm after his father’s death. In his quest to win a prestigious cheese-making competition, Totone concocts a reckless plan while navigating his responsibilities and romantic pursuits.
ARCHITECTON
Victor Kossakovsky’s documentary Architecton takes an innovative look at the materials that constitute our habitat, focusing on concrete and its historical roots in stone. The film poses essential questions about how we will inhabit the future.
REFLECTION IN A DEAD DIAMOND
Directed by Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani, Reflection in a Dead Diamond follows septuagenarian John D, whose encounter with a neighbor evokes memories of his adventurous past as a spy. The film is notable for its creative cinematography that invites viewers to experience it multiple times.
TWINLESS
Directed by James Sweeney, Twinless explores the complex friendship that develops between its characters, framed within a dark comedic and psychological narrative arising from shared grief.
