Nine Under-Hyped Movies From 2025 To Check Out Over The Holidays

Starring: Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Kerry Condon

Based on the 2011 novella, Train Dreams follows Robert Grainier, a reserved railroad worker in the early 20th century. His life is one of solitude; hard, physical labour in the midst of vast wilderness. When he suffers a devastating loss, his life meanders into one of haunting memories and blurred reality as he drifts further towards the margins of society. 

Where to watch: Netflix

Starring: Josh O'Connor, Alana Haim, Gaby Hoffmann

From Kelly Reichardt comes a heist movie in name, but without the stylisation usually associated with armed robbery, and art theft. We follow James, a down-on-his-luck art school dropout in 1970s Massachusetts who hires a group of 'henchmen' to steal four paintings from a relatively sleepy gallery. Don't let the title fool you, James is far from a mastermind, and we see how one thing he lacks more than money is foresight. We see how his 'perfect' crime is riddled with imperfections, leaving him clutching at straw after straw, relying on friends and family to attempt to stay afloat. 

Where to watch: MUBI

Starring: Eva Victor, Naomi Ackie, Lucas Hedges

This bittersweet tale follows Agnes; a grad student whose life has been upended by utter tragedy. It is only when Agnes is visited by a friend that she realises how deep a hole she has been in. Thus, we follow Agnes on her journey to find her way again; told with darkly comedic undertones, it's a story of isolation, survival, and recovery. 

Where to watch: MUBI

Starring: Stephen Graham, Anson Boon, Andrea Riseborough

This frantic, dark comedy is about Tommy, a 19-year-old delinquent bully who is kidnapped by a family-values enthusiast who disapproves of his behaviour. Tommy is then subject to a torturous regime which is intended to teach him proper behaviours, whilst confined in chains at the country house of this bizarre and unnerving family. 

Where to watch: Independent cinemas

Starring: Kwame Brathwaite, Jesse Williams, Gabrielle Union, Alicia Keys

This is a dive into the forgotten history, art, and culture within the Black community and how Brathwaite was able to be a part of so many different culturally significant events and how he captured all of the events he was a part off and didn’t get the recognition until decades later. It's a film that highlights Kwame's selflessness and dedication; leaving a lasting impression of someone who used his platform to empower others and create real, lasting change.

Where to watch: Independent cinemas (Keep an eye out on MUBI)

Starring: Théodore Pellerin, Archie Madekwe, Zack Fox

This is a tense drama/thriller following Matthew, an obsessive outsider who infiltrates the life of global superstar Oliver, going to extreme lengths to cement himself into the entourage; an intimate portrait of fandom and boundary crossing. The storyline is well-paced and believable in the most unpredictable of ways, exploring just how close love and obsession really are. 

Where to watch: Cinemas, MUBI

Starring: Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Elle Fanning

This family drama follows the estranged daughters of a once-famous director who must confront their father and the past when he decides to make a deeply personal film about the family. It's a thought-provoking, sensitive piece; one that lays its cards on the table in a frank, earnest manner and triumphs in doing so. 

Where to watch: Cinemas 

Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, Harry Melling

We follow Colin, a quiet, unassuming man with supportive parents whose world is rocked when he enters a dom-sub relationship with towering, attractive biker Ray. Navigating his new role, he learns about its pleasures and pains, including those that come with love, and in the process, understands his own boundaries.' 

Where to watch: Cinemas 

Starring: Rose Byrne, Mary Bronstein, A$AP Rocky

This is a claustrophobic, darkly funny meltdown of a movie. Rose Byrne plays Linda, a therapist whose life unravels while she cares for a daughter with a mysterious, horrifying illness; the house literally falls apart around her (hello, collapsing ceiling), and the film squeezes you into Linda’s panic with relentless close-ups and surreal touches.

Where to watch: Cinemas