TIFF 2025 — Movie Reviews

'The Christophers' Review: Steven Soderbergh Examines His Own Art [TIFF 25]

With a more contemplative approach to filmmaking, Steven Soderbergh reflects on his legacy through one of Ian McKellen’s best-ever performances in ‘The Christophers’, and marks the beginning of his late stage.

‘Hedda’ Review: Simply Nia DaCosta’s Best Film [TIFF 25]

Thanks to its assured sense of style and magnifying performances from Tessa Thompson and Nina Hoss, director Nia DaCosta crafts her best-ever film with a modern adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler and takes ‘Hedda’ in more daring directions than its original author ever envisioned.

TIFF, Festival Review, DramaMaxance VincentSeptember 13, 2025Hedda, Review, Nia DaCosta, Drama, TIFF 2025 Comment

'Easy's Waltz' Review: Vince Vaughn Takes the Stage as a Crooner Who Proves It’s Never Too Late [TIFF 25]

In recent years film has entered a reflective period where there seem to be more and more works that are about looking back and honoring what was. Nic Pizzolatto’s ‘Easy’s Waltz‘ slips right into this milieu, following a down-on-his-luck Las Vegas entertainer, Easy (Vince Vaughn) navigate his way through the Vegas show business.

'Roofman' Review: Doesn't Quite Stick The Landing [TIFF 25]

For Channing Tatum fans, this is definitely not a film to miss – as always, he is a standout as his natural charisma brings a lot of life to ‘Roofman’ and makes the film more than worthwhile. Other audience members may not be convinced.

'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' Review: Rose Byrne’s Descent Into Chaos [TIFF 25]

While ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’ may be inconsistent at times, Rose Byrne stuns in role as chaotic and spiralling mother who, despite her best efforts, is trapped in one dark spiritual hole after another.

'The Testament of Ann Lee' Review: A Religious Pilgrimage of Epic Proportions [TIFF 25]

Even for the areligious viewer, Amanda Seyfried’s Ann, her passion and her fervor are tremendously transfixing in Mona Fastvold’s ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’.

'The Lost Bus' Review: Horror and Heroics are Balanced in an All Too Timely True Story [TIFF 25]

While ‘The Lost Bus’ follows the 2018 Northern California Camp Fire, the prevalence and recency of what seems to be an evermore common occurrence of mass wildfires in California makes the timely release of this project all the more topical.

'Exit 8' Review: Breaks the Video Game Curse [TIFF 25]

Skillfully adapted from the minimalist psychological horror video game, Genki Kawamura’s ‘Exit 8’ is an eerily worthy adaptation that truly breaks free of the bad luck surrounding the genre.

TIFF, Video Game Movie, Sci-Fi, Movie Review, Live-Action, Independent Film, Foreign FilmLuca MehtaSeptember 8, 2025TIFF 2025, Genki Kawamura, Exit 8Comment

'Poetic License' Review: Hoffman Steals The Show in Sweet Campus Comedy [TIFF 25]

‘Poetic License’ is sweetheart, laugh-out-loud comedy, well-acted by the entire cast. Taking place on a university campus at the beginning of the Fall semester, is a perfect movie to watch on a cozy autumn day – fresh and unexpectedly great, this isn’t one to miss.

‘Sirāt’ Review: Óliver Laxe’s Descent into Hell [TIFF 25]

Óliver Laxe crafts an unrelentingly cruel picture with the explosive ‘Sirāt’, questioning human morality at the center of his scorching, pulse-pounding thriller.

Festival Review, TIFF, DramaMaxance VincentSeptember 7, 2025Sirat, Oliver Laxe, Thriller, TIFF 2025, ReviewComment

Motor City Review: A Revenge Tale in Need of More Drive [TIFF 25]

Director Potsy Ponciroli brings us ‘Motor City’ into the Toronto International Film Festival and the film presents an interesting dynamic - There is almost zero dialogue. While Alan Ritchson, Ben Foster and Shailene Woodley give loud performances, it may not be enough to save this city without sound.