What To Look Out For 2025 Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival, scheduled from January 23 to February 2 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, promises a diverse lineup of films that blend powerful emotions with innovative storytelling. Here’s what we know about some of the most anticipated releases.
This year’s lineup features an exciting blend of established directors, rising stars, and groundbreaking narratives. From dark comedies to intimate dramas, the festival offers something for everyone. Here’s a closer look at what we can expect.
Ira Sachs sets the tone with Peter Hujar’s Day, a mesmerizing journey through the 1970s New York art scene. The film stars Ben Whishaw as the mysterious photographer Peter Hujar, alongside Rebecca Hall as Linda Rosenkrantz, an author navigating a parallel creative world. Sachs captures the raw beauty and fleeting nature of artistic legacy, making this film a must-watch for art lovers.
Sundance has always embraced stories that challenge conventional norms, and Sophie Hyde’s Jimpa is no exception. Starring Olivia Colman and John Lithgow, this heartfelt drama explores the tensions between generations when a nonbinary teen reconnects with their hedonistic grandfather in Amsterdam. Hyde’s unique vision and the stellar performances promise to leave audiences reflecting on family, identity, and solidarity.
For fans of the unexpected, Mary Bronstein’s If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is guaranteed to steal the show. Produced by A24, the film pairs Rose Byrne with A$AP Rocky in a narrative that combines surrealist humor with the challenges of health scares and solo parenting. Bronstein’s sharp wit and emotional storytelling are likely to make this one of the festival’s standout features.
Horror enthusiasts will have much to look forward to with Opus, a chilling collaboration between director Mark Anthony Green and stars Ayo Edebiri and John Malkovich. This haunting story of a journalist’s encounter with a reclusive pop legend dives into the darker side of fame and obsession, promising edge-of-your-seat tension.
Bill Condon’s adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman is a bold reimagining of Manuel Puig’s classic story. With Jennifer Lopez leading the cast, this musical adaptation brings new life to the tale of a political prisoner who escapes his bleak reality through elaborate musical fantasies. Condon’s vision and Lopez’s powerhouse performance are sure to make this one of the most talked-about films of the festival.
Rashad Frett’s Ricky tells the moving story of a former inmate, portrayed by Stephan James, as he struggles to reintegrate into society. This timely and socially conscious drama is bound to resonate with audiences and spark conversations about second chances and systemic challenges.
Amanda Kramer returns to Sundance with By Design, a sharp and satirical exploration of the absurdities of the fashion world. Starring Juliette Lewis and Melanie Griffith, the film promises biting humor and a niche critique of the industry’s excesses.
The Thing with Feathers by Dylan Southern offers a raw portrayal of grief and resilience. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, the film explores the personal journey of a father coping with the loss of his wife while raising his children. Southern’s sensitive direction and Cumberbatch’s layered performance are sure to leave a lasting impression.
The Sundance Film Festival serves as a channel for original storytelling, providing audiences with films that push boundaries and challenge perspectives. Whether you’re attending in person or following from afar, this year’s lineup is bound to leave you inspired. Click here for tickets.
