6 of 2025's most underrated movies – now streaming
Need a few good streaming recommendations for those cosy days over the holiday break?
Matthew Toomey is a UQ alum (Bachelor of Commerce '98) and staff member who recently celebrated 20 years on the air as a film critic for ABC Radio Brisbane.
He shares recommendations for the best 2025 movies to stream now – and explains why a common aversion to a certain genre has seen many punters miss out on some true gems at the cinema this year.
Matthew Toomey
Matthew Toomey
When I’m asked for a movie recommendation, I’ll often ask a series of questions to narrow the selection. Are you in the mood for comedy or drama? Do you want something commercial as opposed to arthouse? What are your thoughts on reading subtitles? When inquiring about their appetite for horror, responses gravitate towards the far ends of the spectrum. It’s a hard YES or a hard NO.
Those with an aversion to the genre have missed out in 2025 because it’s been one of the best years in history for original – meaning non-franchise – horror-thrillers. If you want to catch up on the hype, with a few scares and jolts along the way, here’s a snapshot of movies to check out over the holiday break.
1. Weapons (dir. Zach Cregger)
Weapons wastes no time building intrigue. A young narrator explains that at 2:17am one evening, 17 young children from a small town ran out the front door of their respective homes and disappeared into the night. The common link is that each kid was part of the same class at elementary school and taught by the popular Ms Gandy. A month has passed, and they haven’t been seen since. Great characters, great performances, great direction and a great ending. It spent three weeks atop the box office in the United States.
2. Bring Her Back (dir. Danny and Michael Philippou)
Bring Her Back is not a movie you’ll soon forget because of its disturbing content and its directorial brilliance. It’s centred on two siblings placed in a foster home after a tragic event. Australian brothers Danny and Michael Philippou won Best Picture at the 2022 AACTA Awards for their debut feature, Talk to Me, and they’re a strong chance to do it again this year. They’ve crafted a movie that induces anxiety from start to finish and will leave you caring deeply for the two kids.
3. The Long Walk (dir. Francis Lawrence)
The Long Walk is based on a Stephen King novel that pre-dates the Hunger Games franchise (in case you’re wondering if it’s a cheap knock-off). It’s the story of young men in a winner-take-all walking contest where they must maintain a 3-mile-an-hour pace or be executed. The superb performances make it an affecting tale of friendship. Director Francis Lawrence also deserves praise for extracting maximum tension despite the entire movie taking place on a remote road.
4. Presence (dir. Steven Soderbergh)
Presence is a stylish supernatural film from Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh (Traffic). Told entirely from the perspective of the ghost, it follows a family of four who move into a new home. The movie was shot using a lightweight Sony camera and Soderbergh held it himself as it smoothly hovered above and around the characters. Each individual scene was shot with no edits, so only a single camera was required. Very cool! It may require two viewings, one of them with knowledge of the ending, to fully appreciate.
5. Together (dir. Michael Shanks)
Together was shot in Australia and is about a long-term, unmarried couple who uncover a mysterious ‘force’ in a cave which brings them closer together. I’m talking physically, not metaphorically! Starring real-life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie, see it with friends as you’ll have fun debating afterwards. A creative concept with something to say about co-dependent relationships.
6. Sinners (dir. Ryan Coogler)
Sinners is set in Mississippi in 1932. Two brothers, both played by Michael B. Jordan, start a jazz club – but the opening night turns deadly in unspeakable ways. I never thought I’d see a movie blending racism with vampires… and yet here we are. It’s a wild, interesting spin on the horror genre and, thanks to director Ryan Coogler (of Black Panther), it’s a certainty to be nominated at the upcoming Academy Awards for best picture.
Header image: Stokkete via Adobe Stock
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