Venice Film Festival 2025: Five Films Everyone Will Be Talking About

Mona Fastvold’s The Testament of Ann Lee opens as a bold musical historical drama. Amanda Seyfried takes on the role of Ann Lee, the 18th-century religious leader who founded the Shakers, while Lewis Pullman appears in a key supporting part. The story follows Lee through grief after losing her children and her transformation into a spiritual figure. Shot on 70 mm film and featuring live-recorded music and dance, the project premieres at Venice on September 1.

Directed by Luca Guadagnino, After the Hunt stars Julia Roberts as Alma, a professor whose career unravels when a student played by Ayo Edebiri accuses her close colleague, portrayed by Andrew Garfield, of misconduct. Alma’s own past soon resurfaces, deepening the personal and professional stakes. The film screens out of competition on August 29.

Guillermo del Toro finally delivers his vision of Frankenstein with Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the monster. Mia Goth portrays Elizabeth Lavenza, while the supporting cast features Christoph Waltz and Charles Dance. This new take on Mary Shelley’s novel emphasizes the complex relationship between creator and creation. It premieres in competition on August 30 before its wider Netflix release later in the year.

Jim Jarmusch returns with Father Mother Sister Brother, a triptych exploring how adult children reconnect with distant parents in different countries. Adam Driver, Vicky Krieps, and Indya Moore appear alongside Cate Blanchett, Mayim Bialik, Tom Waits, and Charlotte Rampling. The film weaves its stories together into an anthology and competes for the Golden Lion.

Kathryn Bigelow directs A House of Dynamite, a political thriller that follows White House officials responding to the launch of a missile targeting the United States. Idris Elba and Rebecca Ferguson head the cast with Gabriel Basso and Jared Harris. Rising stars Anthony Ramos, Kaitlyn Dever, and Brittany O’Grady are also part of the ensemble. The film premieres in competition on September 2 and will later reach theaters in October before streaming globally on Netflix.