One Of The Best Movies Of 2025 Thus Far

By: Dominic La-Viola

All too often, I have been seeing online people saying that 2025 was a terrible year for film. That there were no “good” movies that really came out this year. Of course, anyone that’s been watching knows that’s the furthest from the truth.

From studio tentpoles, indie films, to foreign films, I remember driving an hour and a half up to a neighboring state to see the one and only screening they had of “Twinless”. A fan favorite that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier that year.

Finally being able to catch a screening of Sinners. The new Ryan Coogler film, to which I missed my chance to see an advanced screening. Only to leave the theater more excited than when I sat down. For I remember thinking there is no way this film is going to be anywhere as good as people are hyping it up.

Being lucky enough to see Sydney Sweeney’s new film “Christy” in theaters. The indie gem that was taking the festival circuit by storm. Generating a lot of Oscar buzz for its star, Sydney Sweeney, for her breakout performance as Christy Martin, the trailblazing woman boxer.

Yet, if someone would ask me what the best film of the year was, I would be flabbergasted. Not because there are no films that come to mind, but because there are too many films that pop into my mind. Some of which are tentpole films that will be in everyone’s top ten. Some films that I feel were absolutely brilliant and captured something that isn’t necessarily new and inventive, although still captivating and top tier nonetheless.

For all intents and purposes of this essay, I am forced to choose one. A film that not only was an artistic achievement, one that completely moved me and overwhelmed me with emotion. One of the only films that I saw this year with such raw power to captivate, educate, and even advocate.

I remember the day that I went to see the film in theaters. Before that day, I had no idea that the film existed, let alone had any intention of seeing it.

Although the way my screenings were lined up for that day, I noticed that there was this film that I had never heard of playing right in the middle of two of the screenings I had lined up for that day. So I decided to give it a try and added it to my lineup for the day.

Going in, I had no real idea what I was in for, reading only briefly part of the synopsis that was on the ticketing app. Undoubtedly for the best, for nothing could have prepared me for the film that I had witnessed.

Having or not thinking I had an understanding of the film might have tarnished the cinematic journey I had begun.

For I believe that poor marketing and bad advertising is not only the cause of failure for some movies but also being misunderstood and inevitably seen as bad. Since they don’t match up to what the viewer has previously expected.

“Dead To Rights” is as much a war film as it is a period piece drama. Although not on the scale of films such as “Saving Private Ryan”. Where we follow soldiers on a journey. More along the lines of “Schindler’s List” in the sense that the film is the retelling of a horrific genocide, where war is in the backdrop and civilian casualties are in the forefront.

From the opening scene, we are thrown right into the streets of Nanjing. Watching as people were trying to flee the city, seeing the massacre happening in the opening frames.

Not a war overflowing to the streets of this town. Active war crimes against civilians, although we don’t know that just quite yet. All we see is the streets being shot up, and at first glance what appears to be soldiers fleeing.

Only that wasn’t the case. They were mail carriers, which dressed in suits that were similar to military uniforms. Not war camo, but dress slacks. We only come to find out that they were mail carriers because the boss told everyone to take off their uniforms so they’re not mistaken for soldiers and are shot on site.

Not that it mattered. They were shooting and hunting down the Chinese people on the streets, shooting on site. Civilians or not. Which at first, with no context and understanding of what’s going on. Everything seems chaotic and detached.

Ao Shen does such a fantastic job of not only setting the tone of the film in which we are about to watch. Giving us this insightful and educational experience about the events that happen in Nanjing in 1938, right around the time of WW2.

This film offers an insightful and educational experience and a glance at a tragic event that I feel that many aren’t aware of. I remember learning in history class about WW2 and various different aspects of the war, but never about this.

I remember when first reviewing the film and posting my video review on YouTube, I received praise for reviewing the film, by many people. To which they expressed the importance of this movie to not only them but the Chinese people. For it sheds light on a very tragic moment in their history, that many know nothing about.

Upon learning of the events that took place, and more details about this story, I came to have a better understanding of the importance of this film.

For I remember seeing on the poster it said based on a true story. Which can usually mean a lot of different things, not always meaning the events are historically accurate.

Although I soon learned that the events that took place, while the character names might have been different than the people in which the events are based on. The genocide and horrendous acts were very much real.

Watching some of the scenes, not knowing what was real and what was embellished for cinematic significance at times made me sick to my stomach. The acts of violence and brutality being portrayed on screen made my stomach churn.

There were a few memorable scenes that really stood out and made an impactful impression. Starting with the opening scene.

Once discovered by enemy soldiers, Ching is chased down and almost executed even though it is clear he is a civilian. The tension that is built up in this scene is not only important, but the message that is created.

The only reason in which he is saved is because Major Kuroshima orders Hideo Ito to execute him, to prove himself. Although before he does, he asks if he’s a photographic developer. Which he lies to save himself and says he is.

Now watching this scene play out, it was clear that Ito didn’t want to kill anyone, or more so he didn’t have the stomach to kill anyone. Which was a fundamental moment in the film, that really strikes you and pulls you in.

Giving you this perspective that not all the soldiers were war criminals and these elites, whom believed that they were superior.

Aside from him, was a Chinese translator, one whom worked with the Japanese, and thought of himself as an advocate and ally to the Japanese. Who helps Chang, without putting himself in harm’s way, while all the while not turning his back on his people.

From that moment, we knew that he didn’t know what he was doing, but more importantly we start to learn the true meaning of human connection and what human decency is.

The family and owner of the shop were hiding in the basement, in a trap door, under the shop. For they knew they couldn’t flee, so they decided to hide. After the soldiers left. The real owner comes out of hiding to see if the coast is clear and discovers Chang.

We see this pure willingness to survive, but also to help another person in need. So he agrees to teach Chang how to process and develop photos, in exchange for keeping their secret.

At first it’s very much the survival instinct and working together to make it through this very difficult and challenging time to say the least. Yet as time goes on, these characters begin to change, and develop.

I remember sitting in the theater watching this film and seeing the events unfold before my eyes. The events that followed were completely disturbing and gut-wrenching. After learning how to develop the film. Of course, they come back to not only get the photos that he needed developed but wanted to watch him do it, so he knew he could.

The level of disrespect for the personal photos that were in the shop was astounding. Saying something along the lines of those photos mean nothing and are worthless anyway. That moment really stuck with me.

For it wasn’t about the economic value of the photos in which he was referring to. It was simply the existence of the photos. That those people’s images and memories did not matter.

There was a shot showing the photos being ruined by the light exposure. Seeing the image of this family. The realization kicked in. This person, who saved this guy’s life, doesn’t really care about humanity or his fellow people. His acts were completely selfish, not selfless.

For at first, that is what I honestly thought, that he saved his life because he did not want to kill. That he spared him, not because he needed him, but because he didn’t want to kill him or for him to be killed.

That moment was the first moment that we were introduced to the real person he was. A soulless monster who had no regard for human life. He merely saved his life to cover his own skin, for we learn that he did not have the knowledge to develop his own film.

That he wasn’t a war photographer because he didn’t want to kill people, but had to serve in the military. He was rich, had a background in photography, but never developed his own photos because he had someone to do that for him. His parents made him join as a war photographer because it was safe and he would serve his country and honor the family name.

The lengths in which Wang Guanghai, the interpreter, goes through not only to save his family but his girlfriend. Whom he is having an affair with, and get them safe passage out of the city. Also says a lot about the film, but more so the events that the film portrays.

We are shown glimpses of moments that indicate that his girlfriend is being raped and used by the Japanese soldiers, even though she is supposed to be under the protection of the Japanese, for she is a comrade. A friend of the imperial army. Yet they don’t treat her as a person but as a piece of property.

Giving us a more insightful knowledge of the true nature of these soldiers, but the interpreter. Whom claims that the Japanese just want to co exist. W2

The moment in which we first learn that the girlfriend was hiding a castaway Chinese soldier in a clothing box. Feeding him food, and hiding him away so the Japanese don’t kill him.

Her putting her life on the line for someone she doesn’t know. Shows this great value of human decency. This shimmer of hope that not all hope is gone.

The moment in which Ching has earned two passages out of the city for the work he has done for the photographer. One for him and one for his “wife,” who is really the translator’s girlfriend, pretending to be married to him to get her out of there. For the translator can only save himself and his family.

Watching his family being gunned down with hundreds of other people having the river run red with their blood, all while he turns around while they’re shooting . He has no idea that his family is being gunned down right behind him. For they’re supposed to be safe.

That unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach. The sense in which Ching and the wife are getting their pictures taken. The Japanese trying to put on a fake show of how great they’re treating the Chinese.

Only to then shoot a crying baby in the head, only after ripping it out of the mother’s arms and then handing it to them. To pretend it’s their own and they’re a happy family.

That sense broke me completely. The thought that someone would, could just shoot a baby like that. The portrayal of a real monster. The choice to keep that in the film. The demonstration of pure hatred and violence was completely unnecessary, yet added to the story and tone of the film brilliantly. Conveying such strong emotions, in one scene.

It’s not simply the technical aspect of the film that makes this one of the best of the year. Although it does without question hold significant value from a technical point. It’s the story and the execution of it that makes this the best film of the year.

There are so many heartfelt, compelling, and profound moments in the film that make this film stand out. I can’t remember the last time I left a theater feeling so overwhelmed with emotion.

As many great films that came out this year, some of which were original titles, some sequels or reboots of exciting IP. This one without question is one that tells a story that needs to be told. The film conveys not only emotional value but technical achievements as well.