From the hushed halls of academia to the back alleys of New Jersey, this year’s New York Film Festival presents a cinematic lineup packed with high drama, deeply personal reckoning, and some of the year’s most unlikely comebacks. The 63rd annual event, running September 26 to October 13 at Film at Lincoln Center, returns as both a showcase for world-class cinema and a launching pad for titles already pulsing with awards-season buzz.
The festival’s headline grabber is the reappearance of Daniel Day-Lewis. The famously elusive actor steps back before the camera in “Anemone,” the directorial debut of his son, Ronan Day-Lewis. Selected as a Spotlight feature, this family drama — co-written by the pair — probes the fault-lines of blood ties with a raw emotional core, marking the elder Day-Lewis’ much-anticipated return and instantly sparking Oscar speculation.
The Gala Selections strike a notably urgent tone. Luca Guadagnino’s Opening Night pick, “After the Hunt,” has set the conversation alight. The psychological thriller features Julia Roberts as a revered Yale professor caught in the crossfire of a campus assault accusation, with Ayo Edebiri and Andrew Garfield rounding out a powerhouse ensemble. Its thorny moral terrain and commanding performances place it firmly in awards contention.
As Centerpiece, Jim Jarmusch’s “Father Mother Sister Brother” — the recipient of Venice’s Golden Lion — trades fireworks for quietly riveting introspection. This wry, triptych-structured meditation on sibling rivalry and estrangement, led by Adam Driver, Cate Blanchett, and Tom Waits, arrives in New York with serious international buzz after its Venice triumph.
For Closing Night, Bradley Cooper pivots from last year’s “Maestro” to crowd-pleasing comedy with “Is This Thing On?” Inspired by comedian John Bishop, the film follows Will Arnett as a freshly divorced man who turns to stand-up. Its lighter tone just might hit the right note with Academy voters.
Oscar Contenders to Watch
“After the Hunt” — With Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, and Andrew Garfield, Guadagnino’s drama is poised for major acting and screenplay recognition.
“Father Mother Sister Brother” — Jarmusch’s all-star chamber piece, starring Adam Driver and Cate Blanchett, could be a serious player — especially for Blanchett, whose run of prestige roles continues.
“Is This Thing On?” — Cooper and Arnett could find awards gold in comedy’s heart. The film’s blend of humor and melancholy gives it dark horse appeal.
“Cover-Up” — Oscar-winner Laura Poitras returns with this gripping portrait of journalist Seymour Hersh. Recent Academy trends make this a documentary frontrunner.
“A House of Dynamite” — Kathryn Bigelow’s briskly tense thriller, led by Idris Elba as a fictional U.S. President, could break into acting and editing categories.
“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” — Rose Byrne stuns in Mary Bronstein’s surreal drama, her performance already generating early critical whispers.
“It Was Just an Accident” — Jafar Panahi’s Cannes-winning study of class and justice brings both creative prowess and political courage to the International Feature race.
“Jay Kelly” — Noah Baumbach directs George Clooney in a sharp, dark ensemble drama, with Laura Dern and Adam Sandler bringing extra pedigree.
“The Mastermind” — Kelly Reichardt’s sharp-edged anti-thriller, starring Josh O’Connor, has critics buzzing about possible tech and screenplay honors.
“No Other Choice” — Park Chan-wook’s twisty, blackly comic adaptation follows his acclaimed “Decision to Leave,” prepped for strong international awards attention.
“Sentimental Value” — Svensk power: Joachim Trier’s Cannes Grand Prix-winner spotlights Renate Reinsve, who is pegged for another Best Actress push.
“Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere” — Jeremy Allen White turns heads as Bruce Springsteen in Scott Cooper’s critically hailed biopic, well positioned for acting and technical categories.
With more than 75 features on the schedule, the 2025 festival offers something for every cinephile. Standout new works from Claire Denis (“The Fence”), Christian Petzold (“Miroirs No. 3”), Lucrecia Martel (“Landmarks”), Ira Sachs (“Peter Hujar’s Day”), Paolo Sorrentino (“La Grazia”), Radu Jude (“Kontinental ’25”, “Dracula”), Rebecca Miller (“Mr. Scorsese”) and Ben Stiller (“Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost”) guarantee that adventurous viewers will have more than enough to explore.