Podcast Summary: All Of It with Alison Stewart

Episode: The Best Movies of 2025
Date: December 29, 2025
Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Alyssa Wilkinson (New York Times film critic)

Episode Overview

In this lively year-end episode, Alison Stewart and NYT film critic Alyssa Wilkinson dive into the most memorable movies of 2025. Together with call-in and text contributions from listeners across New York and beyond, they discuss the year's most talked-about films—blockbusters, indies, documentaries, and awards hopefuls—analyzing their themes, performances, and cultural resonance. The episode spotlights how 2025's films explore the weight of history on the present, the evolution of genres and stars, and the ongoing love for original, conversation-starting cinema.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Exploring 2025's Defining Cinematic Themes

• The Persistence of History:
  Alyssa Wilkinson observes a common thread: “The movies that landed on my list were mostly looking at the way that history seeps into the present.” (02:41)
  • Examples include One Battle After Another, Sinners, The Testament of Ann Lee, and My Undesirable Friends.
  • These films “are about how history has a lot of weight in the present. And I think that really resonated with a lot of people this year in our real lives too.” (02:55)

“One Battle After Another” (Paul Thomas Anderson)

• Plot Summary: Follows a group of far-left revolutionaries; the story jumps in time as one member’s child grows up, leading to a generational chase and reckoning with inherited ideals.
• Key Themes: Generational struggle, the cyclical nature of political passion, and the comedy of failed ideals.
• Casting:
  • Leonardo DiCaprio (as the father, Pat Calhoun): “We’re not used to seeing Leonardo DiCaprio in this fatherly role… he’s hilarious.” (04:23, 06:22)
  • Chase Infinity (as the daughter): “This is her first role in this lead, and she’s incredible in it.”
  • Teyana Taylor: “Unforgettable… she’s got this swagger that’s hard to beat.”
• Memorable Clip: DiCaprio’s comedic, disoriented monologue about a forgotten code phrase is highlighted – “I have abused drugs and alcohol for the past 30 years, man. I’m a drug and alcohol lover. And I cannot remember for the life of me or the life of my only child the answer to your question. What time is it?” (05:29-05:58)

Listener Contributions: Standout Films

• F1: Praised for intimate cinematography and storytelling, rare in a race car movie. (06:42)
• Hamnet: A powerful Shakespeare biopic; one listener found it “a profound spiritual experience at the end…so moved by the ending of this movie…almost a religious experience.” (07:11-08:05)
• Deliver Me From Nowhere: Springsteen/Nebraska docudrama described as “an investigation of how depression affects people, even high performing people like Bruce Springsteen.” (08:12-09:14)

“Sinners” (Dir. Ryan Coogler)

• Unique Genre Blend: Southern gothic vampire tale set in Mississippi, starring B. Jordan in dual roles as the Smokestack Twins.
• Critical Success:
  • Both a box office hit and a subject of “months and months” of debate for its symbolism and themes.
  • “It’s not just the vampire thing, it’s also the music. The music is unforgettable in this film and remarkable and it tells a story. And also the film has a lot going on inside of it. Right? It’s thinking about racism, colonialism, how all of those things, again, seep into the future.” (10:22)
• Cultural Commentary:
  • “Anytime you can make a movie where people want to keep talking about it months and months after it comes out, that’s really exciting.” (10:57)
  • Notably, Ryan Coogler retains ownership rights after 25 years—a rare move showing commitment to creative legacy. (11:42)
• Memorable Moment: Clip features a tense, witty exchange between a freshly turned vampire and suspicious relatives, blending humor with subtext about race and trust. (12:14-13:23)

Other Listener and Critic Favorites

• Superman (dir. James Gunn): “Had such a poignant message about hope and about doing the right thing… breakout performances by David Cornswet and Rachel Brosnahan.” (13:43)
• Spinal Tap: The End Continues: “Deals with losing your identity, holding on, trying to claim…they were all speaking about themselves and their lives and reviewing them.” (14:36)
• The History of Sound: Called “the most beautiful and unique love story I’ve seen in many years.” (15:33-15:49)

“The Testament of Ann Lee”

• Premise: Biographical musical about the obscure founder of Shakerism, played by Amanda Seyfried.
• Unique Tone: Alyssa: “It’s really more of a movie about religious ecstasy and you know, a woman who was way ahead of her time in thinking about gender equality…really unlike anything I’ve ever seen.” (16:16-17:26)
• Creative Collaboration: Directed by Mona Fasvold (co-writer of The Brutalist), with her “partner in life and art.”
• Memorable Clip: “The Shakers lived their life in song. That was part of their worship.” (17:37)
• Clarifies Misleading Marketing: “It’s not at all a horror film… it’s a very beautiful film. Even though many bad things happen to her. I very much think it’s worth a shot.” (18:01-18:16)

“Marty Supreme” (Josh Safdie)

• Plot: Set in 1950s NY, about a Jewish kid (Timothée Chalamet) aiming for ping pong stardom; deals with identity and belonging.
• Critic’s Take: “If you liked Uncut Gems, you’ll probably like this one…so much energy. Great music. Timothée Chalamet is fantastic…He’s always been good, but he’s great in this.” (19:05-20:09)

Notable Documentaries

• Orwell 2/25: Lauded as “must-see for all citizens of all nations.” (20:18)
• My Undesirable Friends: Five-hour documentary about Russian journalists before the Ukraine invasion—“It’s unbelievable…most compelling film you will see this year.” (20:34)
• Predators: Examines society’s fascination with the now-infamous To Catch a Predator. (20:34)
• 2,000 Meters to Andrifka & Ken Burns’ American Revolution: PBS docs praised for immersion and perspective on Ukraine and American history. (22:02-22:50)

Other Highlights

• Sorry, Baby: Described by a friend as “a gentle movie about a terrible thing.” (22:58)
• Aphas: “A baseball film, but not really…wonderful, gentle…just sort of a sit and watch guys hang out with each other movie.” (23:06-23:46)
• Guilty Pleasures and Honorable Mentions: Minimal but embraced as joyful, low-stakes, or experimental watches.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On DiCaprio’s comedic turn:
  “He’s hilarious. And I think for someone like me, I grew up watching him be my age, and now he’s the dad. So even for me, I’m understanding this generational shift in the film.” (06:22, Alyssa Wilkinson)

• On “Sinners” sparking debate:
  “Anytime you can make a movie where people want to keep talking about it months and months after it comes out, that’s really exciting.” (10:57, Alyssa Wilkinson)

• On “Hamnet’s” impact:
  “I couldn’t move. It was such a profound spiritual experience at the end.” (07:11-08:05, Debbie, caller)

• On “Marty Supreme’s” surprise:
  “I went in with my arms crossed… and I loved it.” (19:05, Alyssa Wilkinson)

• On “Testament of Ann Lee”:
  “I have no idea. Who was, you know, gunning for the biopic of the founder of Shakerism? That’s musical. I don’t know…It’s really unlike anything I’ve ever seen.” (16:16, Alyssa Wilkinson)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & Movie Theme Intro: 00:07-02:41
• Alyssa Wilkinson on 2025's Cinematic Themes: 02:41-03:12
• One Battle After Another Breakdown & Clip: 03:12-06:35
• Listener Calls—F1, Hamnet, Springsteen Doc: 06:35-09:19
• “Sinners” Analysis & Clip: 10:22-13:23
• Superman & Spinal Tap Listener Praise: 13:43-15:17
• The History of Sound & Testament of Ann Lee Discussion: 15:28-18:16
• Marty Supreme Discussion: 18:22-20:10
• Documentary Highlights (“Orwell 2/25”, others): 20:09-22:51
• Final Recommendations & Episode Wrap: 22:58-23:54

Final Thoughts

Alison Stewart and Alyssa Wilkinson chart a vibrant, thoughtful course through 2025’s movie landscape, celebrating films that challenge, provoke, and resonate long after the credits roll. With a mix of blockbuster appeal and indie spirit, 2025's movies are remembered for their emotional impact, thematic richness, and their ability to get audiences—and critics—talking, arguing, and thinking together.