Scroll to see various review for some of my favorite films of 2025!

The Long Walk

The Long Walk is generally considered one of Stephen King’s most brutal, gut-wrenching stories to date, and the long awaited film adaptation captures its darkness in unflinching form. Set in a dystopian 1970s, the film follows a group of boys competing in a walking contest to be the last one standing to earn glory and fortune…otherwise they’ll die. For such a simple, “battle royale” concept, The Long Walk has immense depth that’s rarely seen in this sub-genre. Just like the novel, it’s absolutely relentless in portraying the devastation this contest wreaks on its participants. It holds nothing back in showcasing the physical pain they endure or the emotional strain this walking burdens them with. The change they go through from the beginning to the end is horrifying and there are small obstacles along the way that instantly ratchet up the tension. An uphill section leaves you rattled by all the bloodshed that occurs and even the mental breakdowns some characters suffer are downright chilling. The Long Walk perfectly embodies King’s brand of horror and director Francis Lawrence creates an undying tension that brings this competitive atmosphere to life. 

However, what really makes The Long Walk special is the heart and humanity at the center of it. Whether it’s the bond developed between these boys throughout the walk or the personal motivation for lead character Ray (Cooper Hoffman) that’s gut-wrenching, writer J.T. Mollner keeps a firm grip on your heart. Honestly, it’s hard to remember a film that makes you care about its characters like this one does. But with every death, even of characters you may despise, this film stabs your heart and brings you to tears. Any scene between Ray and his mom (Judy Greer) is absolutely heartbreaking and some character deaths leave unforgettable marks. What really shines though is the brotherhood between Ray and Pete (David Jonsson) as they deliver some of the rawest emotion that’ll captivate you. Hoffman and Jonsson are simply astounding at times for the way they care for each other through this grim scenario and embody that helping hand we all hope to give to people. Personally, they’re Oscar-worthy in a film that’s chock-full of amazing performances, especially Greer, Mark Hamill, Charlie Plummer, and a must-see breakout in Tut Nyuot. At its core, it’s a film about finding humanity in bleak times and even builds a stark depiction of authoritarianism that it swiftly combats in satisfying fashion with a can’t miss final scene. 

The Long Walk aces everything it does and provides a uniquely-envisioned King adaptation that ranks among the best of all-time – yes, right up there with Shawshank, Green Mile, and (personally) Doctor Sleep. It pulls emotions of you in ways most films can’t, and showcases some remarkable performances from Hoffman, Jonsson, and really the entire cast that bring its themes on humanity, empathy, and rebellion to life flawlessly. It’s got stellar writing from Mollner and confident direction from Lawrence that aims, and succeeds, at ripping out your heart. The Long Walk is a top film of 2025 and delivers the type of horror and heartfelt experience that’s simply unmatched.

Drop 

Christopher Landon elevates his suspense game to new heights with Drop and turns what could’ve been a straightforward romance thriller into a savvy date night from hell. Its simplistic premise of a woman named Violet (Meghann Fahy) being tasked by an unseen stalker to kill her date to save her son ends up having so many riveting layers. It’s so fun to have the rug be pulled out and the course of this mystery be changed by a single text. As Violet constantly seeks answers or a way out, there’s so many satisfying reveals and dangers that up the anticipation to see where things are heading. Landon makes Drop wildly unpredictable all the way up to a surprisingly conspiracy thread being hidden under it all. 

Fahy expertly traverses dangerous lines that culminate in an incredibly capable, likeable, and surprisingly emotionally powerful performance. Her chemistry with Brandon Sklenar is off the charts too, and both of them excel at heightening the romance and mystery elements at play perfectly. Best of all, Landon mixes in these great themes of our sometimes scary modern dating perspectives and empowering arcs to take action that elevate the emotion of the narrative. It’s what makes the film and its lingering questions have such a compelling pull on you and leaves such an unexpected impact. 

Landon delivers a modern Hitchcock thriller like no other with Drop as it ensnares viewers into an irresistible date night gone wrong with plenty to love. Fahy and Sklenar work phenomenally with the laughs and paranoia-driven fears Landon sews in, and elevate the experience every step of the way. Drop is an undeniable crowd-pleaser that harnesses exactly what viewers love about mysteries like this – juicy twists, hooky storytelling, charming performances, and an underrated visionary like Landon meticulously crafting each little surprise.

Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere

Director Scott Cooper and star Jeremy Allen White bring an important and vastly compelling portrayal of Bruce Springsteen to life that shows the man behind the Boss. Rather than chronicling the entire career or lifespan of Springsteen, Deliver Me From Nowhere captures Springsteen (White) at a pivotal turning point before he becomes a global icon. His return to New Jersey sparks a desire for introspection that culminates in creating his 1982 album Nebraska. It’s a quintessential story of identity within growing fame that’s always fascinating to explore, but given a much bigger, more personal glimpse here. His creation of Nebraska is given the detailed depiction it deserves to really let its distinct sound and meaning dig into you. Springsteen’s determination to preserve his sound in the face of corporate opposition is incredibly powerful and heightens the emotional impact his work has. It’s a very cathartic, personal peek behind Springsteen as an artist that viewers, especially fans, will adore.

What White might lack in natural looks and sound when it comes to portraying Springsteen, he more than makes up for in spirit. He evokes that stoic yet charming nature that makes Springsteen’s legacy as a local legend in Jersey remain prevalent. However, he’s at his best when he’s tapping into that boiling anger and frustrations that boil within. Deliver Me From Nowhere definitely has its highs when it comes to capturing Springsteen as a musician, including a stunning rendition of “Born in the U.S.A.” no one should miss. Yet, it’s more about harnessing those personal demons within Springsteen and exploring the unresolved pain he carries with him. Whether it’s him wrestling with his burgeoning fame or being caught up in a traumatic past involving his father (Stephen Graham), he’s constantly in conflict with himself in a way that connects fans with Springsteen like never before. It leads to tons of emotional reckonings and storylines surrounding Springsteen fighting for control of his life. Plus, there are supporting performances from Graham, Jeremy Strong, and Odessa Young that add a multi-layered sense of heart to Springsteen’s story and help build a surprisingly resonant arc about depression and finding a voice that cuts deep. 

Deliver Me From Nowhere is a top-tier music biopic that skirts traditional trappings for an emotionally-packed journey through a tense chapter Bruce Springsteen’s storied legacy. White embodies the essence of the Boss’ presence and passion in a way that screams “award-worthy,” and continually heightens the emotion of a story that’s remarkably raw at times. It is a must-see look into an artist’s perspective that offers the satisfying peek behind the curtain of greatness that fans always crave. Plus, it’s got that “something more” that leaves a bigger impact than just watching another biopic.

The Monkey

Although he’s become known for directing grisly, daunting, atmospheric nightmares like Longlegs, director Osgood Perkins veers into dark horror-comedy for his adaptation of Stephen King’s 1980 short story The Monkey. As he introduces the film’s titular tormenter, Perkins establishes the perfect tone that carries through the entire film. There’s a thriving sense of panic that creates plenty of weird comedic beats stemming from a man covered in blood trying to get this creepy wind-up monkey away from him. The gore from a crazy opening kill wets the audience’s appetite for the bloodsoaked affair that follows. And, at the center of it all, is this monkey figure whose smile induces chills and drumming creates a foreboding dread that becomes more powerful with each strike. The Monkey is one hell of a horror villain and the way Perkins characterizes it as this malevolent, unexplainable evil makes it a King movie character for the ages – right up there with Pennywise, personally.  

From there, Perkins creates a decade-spanning feast of horror bolstered by raw gore that comes from this Monkey’s twisted vision for death. Seriously, even in a year where we got a new Final Destination film, The Monkey reigns supreme in showcasing some of the bloodiest, gnarliest, and most creative deaths of 2025. Everything is on the table, from exploding pool dives to an entire facing the Monkey’s wrath, and Perkins’ eye for practical gore will make gore hounds salivate with satisfaction. Even better, Perkins finds the humor within the insanity to create tons of jaw-dropping laughs and strong strings of dark humor that weave throughout. Like any true great King adaptation too, The Monkey has a great narrative to pair with Perkins’ horror vision. There’s this great story about twin brothers Bill and Hall (Theo James) having their lives changed by the Monkey’s presence that carries into adulthood. James’ dual performance is incredible for the opposite personalities of the brothers, which creates plenty of funny exchanges and reactions, and it’s been criminally underdiscussed. There’s also these great themes about accepting death and the damage of revenge that culminate in a great final act full of amazing twists and punctuated deaths leaving viewers in shock. 

Perkins continues to roll with The Monkey, helming an all-time King adaptation that horror fans will relish over for years to come. Its gory goods stemming from the irresistible, odd power of its titular antagonist create a true crowd-pleaser that’s further elevated by James’ compelling performances within a top-tier revenge story. Even in the incredible year of horror films we experienced in 2025, The Monkey makes its own lasting mark.