The Top 10 Underseen and Overlooked Movies of 2025. Plus: ‘Is This Thing On?,’ ‘Ella McCay,’ and Why We Can’t Have Nice Things. - The Big Picture Recap
Podcast: The Big Picture
Published: 2025-12-22
Duration: 1 hr 14 min
Summary
Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins explore the teaser trailer for Alejandro G. Iñárritu's upcoming film 'Digger' and critique two new releases, 'Is This Thing On?' by Bradley Cooper and James L. Brooks' 'Ella McCay.' They also share their top ten underseen and overlooked movies of 2025.
What Happened
Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins start with a reaction to the teaser for Alejandro G. Iñárritu's 'Digger,' starring Tom Cruise. The film, set for 2026, is a comedy featuring a star-studded cast, including Jesse Plemons and Riz Ahmed. They express excitement about its potential, given Iñárritu's reputation for unique storytelling.
The hosts then dive into Bradley Cooper's 'Is This Thing On?' which stars Will Arnett, Laura Dern, and Cooper himself. The film follows a man who discovers stand-up comedy amidst personal turmoil. Despite its promising premise, the hosts find the execution lacking, with Amanda Dobbins calling it 'loser behavior.'
Next, they critique 'Ella McCay,' James L. Brooks' first film in 15 years. Starring Emma Mackey and Jamie Lee Curtis, it tells the story of a young woman navigating her role as governor. The hosts find the film's political narrative and performances confusing, agreeing with Vulture's description of it as 'ghastly cinema.'
The discussion moves to the hosts' top ten underseen movies of 2025. They highlight films like 'Unbecoming a Guinea Fowl,' a Zambian film on HBO Max, and 'Urchin,' the directorial debut of Harris Dickinson. These selections underscore the diversity and creativity present in this year's lesser-known releases.
Sean Fennessey praises 'The Things You Kill,' a chaotic thriller from Canada that explores themes of grief and revenge. Although it did not make the final Oscar selection, its gripping narrative caught the hosts' attention.
They also mention 'Eternity,' a high-concept romantic comedy with Elizabeth Olson and Miles Teller, and 'Volcana Zadora,' a unique film about male friendship and existential crises, directed by Joel Petrokis.
The episode closes with a nod towards the upcoming new 'Simpsons' movie expected in 2027 and a brief mention of Boen Yang's departure from Saturday Night Live after eight seasons. These pop culture updates add a broader context to the film discussions.
Key Insights
- Alejandro G. Iñárritu's upcoming film 'Digger,' starring Tom Cruise, is set for a 2026 release and marks a departure from Iñárritu's usual style by being a comedy with a star-studded cast including Jesse Plemons and Riz Ahmed.
- Bradley Cooper's film 'Is This Thing On?' stars Will Arnett and Laura Dern, but despite its intriguing premise of a man finding stand-up comedy during personal turmoil, the film's execution was criticized as lacking by reviewers.
- James L. Brooks returns to filmmaking after 15 years with 'Ella McCay,' featuring Emma Mackey and Jamie Lee Curtis, but the film's political narrative and performances were described as confusing and received negative reviews.
- 'Unbecoming a Guinea Fowl,' a Zambian film available on HBO Max, and 'Urchin,' Harris Dickinson's directorial debut, are highlighted as part of the top ten underseen movies of 2025, showcasing the year's diversity and creativity in lesser-known releases.