5 Movies that I Have Watched in 2025 So Far

After a month-long break, I am back with my weekly movie update list. I finally managed to watch a few films released this year. While I didn't enjoy all of them, I will share my honest opinions on what I liked and disliked about each one. Now, without further ado, let's get started!

5 Movies that I Have Watched in 2025 So Far

1. Another Simple Favour (Comedy/Thriller): Last year, I watched "A Simple Favour" and enjoyed it. The film had the right mix of elements for a comedy thriller, effectively incorporating unexpected twists and reveals in an engaging way. However, when the sequel tries to repeat this formula, it misses the mark. In this instalment, the twin sisters expand to a triplet, which ends up feeling unoriginal and boring. We now have Charity joining Faith and Hope. Trying to cram too many concepts into one monotonous storyline doesn’t result in a good story. Between the Italian Mafia, an evil aunt, a disguised FBI agent, extravagant locations, and overly stylish (and at times bizarre) outfits, the end result is ultimately disappointing.

Anna Kendrick is a naturally funny actress, and Blake Lively exudes effortless charm. (I am choosing to overlook her recent controversies.) Michele Morrone also seems to reprise his role from "365 Days" as the perpetually angry Italian mafia figure in this film. Despite their strong presence, I found the film to be a disappointment. If the makers decide to create a third instalment, as hinted at the end of this movie, I wouldn't be surprised if we encounter another character played by Lively, perhaps named “Grace” or “Dignity.”

2. Babygirl ( Erotic Thriller): We rarely get to see really good films in this genre these days. The last decent one I remember watching was the Canadian film "The Voyeurs." Otherwise, we're left with headaches like "Fifty Shades of Grey" and "365 Days." With Nicole Kidman and Antonio Banderas in the lead roles, I had some expectations for this film. The story had the potential to be another "Unfaithful," but unfortunately, it fails to meet that standard.

Despite Nicole Kidman's honest performance as Romi—a successful CEO and a leader who is highly admired—she also maintains her roles as a dedicated wife to theatre director Jacob and a caring mother of two teenage daughters. However, the movie fails to evoke the emotional impact typically associated with films of this genre, such as "Eyes Wide Shut," "Unfaithful," or even "9 1/2 Weeks." Antonio Banderas's presence in the film feels completely wasted, and while Harris Dickinson's portrayal of Samuel is decent, his chemistry with Kidman lacks conviction.

3. Heretic (Psychological Horror): At last, a film I can genuinely discuss with enthusiasm! Every moment of this movie creates the uncomfortable tension that we expect from a psychological horror film. The story revolves around an utterly insane individual who, masked as an overly friendly older man, conducts bizarre experiments to prove his point that "control is the only truth." The cat-and-mouse chase, the struggle between believers and non-believers, the games played, and the war of words all contribute to a solid foundation that unnervingly enters the viewer's mind.

Hugh Grant is the perfect choice for the menacing antagonist; he maintains his charming, gentlemanly demeanour while delivering hauntingly piercing stares that are unsettling for the young women trapped in his maze.

4. Holland ( Thriller): In the stunningly beautiful town of Holland, Michigan, lives Nancy, a housewife and part-time teacher. Nancy appears to lead a perfect family life with her optometrist husband, Fred, and their teenage son. However, she is haunted every night by suffocating nightmares. When she discovers a few scattered Polaroid photographs, Nancy begins to suspect that Fred is having an affair. She confides her doubts to her close friend and fellow teacher, Dave, an expatriate from Mexico. The two of them secretly start investigating and spying on Fred, and in the process, they become romantically involved. However, their findings lead to paranoia and reveal a very different side of Fred's personality.

Nicole Kidman delivers an engaging performance, but it feels wasted in this half-baked thriller. Neither the intensity of her paranoia nor the shocking revelation of Fred's true identity saves the film. The narrative fails to develop the male characters adequately, leaving them feeling incomplete. While this is somewhat justified for Fred's character, Dave's character could have been further developed to make a more significant impact. Gael Garcia Bernal, as Dave, gives a strong performance. Mathew MacFadyen somewhat resembles a younger Kevin Spacey, but I wish I could say the same about his performance.

5. G20 ( Action ): In "G20," a new action-packed film, we encounter a president who can literally kick some butt! The movie draws inspiration from many similar releases of the late '90s and early 2000s, but it stands out because, unlike those films where VIPs are safeguarded by bodyguards and heroic teams, this president is fully capable of protecting herself and others. Her military background empowers her in this role. Viola Davis delivers a powerful performance as President Danielle Sutton.

I typically don't enjoy no-brainer action movies, but I managed to watch this film in bits and pieces rather than all at once. While I'm not an expert on action sequences, I did enjoy several scenes featuring the President and the mastermind behind the attack, Rutledge. It is an average movie for action lovers, featuring a typical assassination escape with nothing new to offer.