Venice 2025 Movie Preferences: The Films I Eagerly Anticipate

The 82nd Venice Film Festival, one of the most important showcases for high-quality cinema, is currently underway at the Lido, surrounded by special political tensions. A pro-Palestinian demonstration took place at the Lido, with a heavy police presence ensuring peace and order.

The festival opened with Paolo Sorrentino's new film, "La Grazia," offering an Italian perspective on the turbulent present. The film, which has received rapturous reviews, follows the festival's opening night.

One of the most anticipated films of the festival is "The Voice of Hind Rajab," a powerful documentary that tells the true story of 5-year-old Hind Rajab, who survived an Israeli Army attack in Gaza. The film, produced by Tunisia's Mime Films and France's Tanit Films, has already garnered significant attention, with producers including Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, and Jonathan Glazer backing the project. The film received a 23-minute standing ovation at its world premiere and is likely to be a strong contender for the Golden Lion and a potential Oscar nominee.

Another film causing a stir is "A House of Dynamite" by Kathryn Bigelow, which explores different perspectives on a rocket loaded with atomic bombs heading towards America. The film, which premieres in theaters on October 9, 2025, and on Netflix on October 24, 2025, promises to be one of the most thought-provoking films of the festival.

In the world of Hollywood, Dwayne Johnson has made his first truly great film with "The Smashing Machine," according to a colleague of British GQ. Directed by Benny Safdie, who is known for the Netflix film "Uncut Gems" with Adam Sandler, the film sees Johnson appearing less charming than he is known from big popcorn cinema.

Meanwhile, Emma Stone stars in "Bugonia," a black comedy by Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos. Stone plays a prominent biotech CEO entangled with a conspiracy theorist who believes she's an alien. The film, set to hit theaters on October 30, 2025, promises to be a unique and entertaining addition to the festival.

Italian director Luca Guadagnino's new film, "After the Hunt," delves into human transgressions, with Julia Roberts delivering a captivating performance as a philosophy professor accused of sexual harassment by one of her students. The film hits theaters on October 16 and will later be available on Netflix.

The festival also saw the premiere of "Nomadland" by Chinese director Chloé Zhao, a film that won the Golden Lion in Venice in 2020 and went on to win Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress.

In a different vein, Jude Law is portraying Vladimir Putin in a film about Putin's early years in St. Petersburg, the establishment of divisive bot farms, and the growing hatred towards Ukraine.

The Hotel Excelsior in Venice is where Hollywood stars stay and party during the Venice Film Festival, making it a hotspot for industry insiders and fans alike.

As the festival continues, it's clear that the competition is fierce, with each film offering a unique perspective on the world we live in today. The films presented at the Venice Film Festival have a chance at an Oscar nomination, making this year's event an exciting one for film enthusiasts.