‘Hamnet’ and the 10 Best Performances of 2025. Plus: Kleber Mendonça Filho on ‘The Secret Agent.’

Key Takeaways

Chloe Zhao's 'Hamnet' received mixed reviews, lauded for emotional depth but criticized for narrative structure.
'The Secret Agent' directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, earned praise for its genre blend and Wagner Moura's lead performance.
The hosts extensively ranked their top 10 favorite acting performances of 2025.
Director Kleber Mendonça Filho shared insights into his childhood cinema experiences and unique filmmaking philosophy.
Discussions included upcoming films like Steven Spielberg's 'Disclosure' and DCU's 'Supergirl' adaptation.

Steven Spielberg's new film, possibly titled 'Disclosure,' is rumored to be an alien-themed blockbuster starring Josh O'Connor and Emily Blunt, scheduled for June 12, 2026.
A new trailer for 'Supergirl,' the second official DCU film, highlights Millie Alcock's casting and is directed by Craig Gillespie.
Discussions also touched on the roles of Matthias Schoenarts and Jason Momoa in the Supergirl film, with debates on Lobo's character origins.

While recognized as a significant film and Oscar contender, early portions of 'Hamnet' were described as a 'crushing bore' by one host.
Amanda Dobbins expressed 'significant resistance' to the film's first hour due to a 'woo-woo energy' and repetitive visual elements.
Steven Spielberg served as a producer on the film, which features a 'dynamite' scene from Emily Watson.

Critics questioned the portrayal of William Shakespeare, noting his energy was often not palpable within the narrative.
Jesse Buckley's performance was praised as carrying the film, particularly in its final hour.
The film's integration of familiar Shakespearean elements and lines, like 'to be or not to be,' was debated for its effectiveness, with one host comparing it to a magpie collecting shiny objects.

Jesse Buckley's performance in 'Hamnet' received critical acclaim, positioning her as a strong contender for awards.
Young actors Jacoby Jupe and Noah Joop were praised for their performances as Hamnet and Hamlet, respectively, with Joop's portrayal of Hamlet's realization noted as a standout.
Director Chloe Zhao drew visual inspiration from 'Zone of Interest' for 'Hamnet's' theatrical framing and wide shots, marking a departure from her 'Nomadland' style.

Kleber Mendonça Filho's 'The Secret Agent' was praised for its blend of genre, absurdity, and sincerity, featuring a compelling performance by Wagner Moura.
The hosts began their discussion of individual top 10 favorite performances of 2025, clarifying it's not an Oscar prediction list.
Initial picks included Olivia Colman in 'Paddington in Peru' and Ethan Hawke in 'Blue Moon,' praised for its heartbreaking portrayal.

The hosts listed 'villain core' performances, including Rosamund Pike in 'Now You See Me, Now You Don't,' and Colman Domingo in 'The Grudge.'
Jack Quaid's charm and ability to carry 'Companion' were highlighted, along with Robert Pattinson's performance in Bong Joon-ho's 'Mickey 17.'
Other notable performances included Normani and Dominique Thorne in 'Freaky Tales' and Danny Huston in 'The Naked Gun.'

Josh O'Connor was praised for his versatility across films like 'Rebuilding,' 'The Mastermind,' 'Wake Up Dead Man,' and 'History of Sound,' noting his ability to convey quiet intensity.
Sophie Thatcher in 'Companion' was compared to Jamie Lee Curtis for her strength, vulnerability, and 'Scream Queen' potential.
Rebecca Ferguson's performance in 'House of Dynamite' was highlighted as the strongest part of the film's first third.

Dylan O'Brien received praise for his convincing dual performance as twin brothers in 'Twinless,' despite one host's dislike for the film itself.
Paul Mescal's press tour performance and chemistry with Josh O'Connor in 'Wake Up Dead Man' were highlighted for their charm.
ASAP Rocky and Archie Madekwe in 'Highest to Lowest' were lauded for their performances, with Madekwe's dual role noted as a cool debut.

Amanda Seyfried's 'incredible' performance in 'Thelma' and Eva Victor's Golden Globe nomination for 'Sorry Baby' were highlighted.
Discussions on potential Oscar nominations considered Jennifer Lawrence and Teanna Taylor for lead and supporting actress categories, respectively.
Timothy Chalamet's appearance on 'What Do You Want to Talk About?' and his perceived strategy regarding Best Actor Oscar campaigning were analyzed.

Director Kleber Mendonça Filho reflected on his childhood memories of cinema in Recife, Brazil, citing a Tom and Jerry marathon in 1973 as his first film experience.
The year 1977 held personal significance for Filho, shaping his imagination and love for movies during his uncle's frequent cinema visits.
Filho discussed the genesis of 'The Secret Agent' and 'Pictures of Ghosts' as memory-driven projects, emphasizing discovery through archival material.

Filho explained that fiction can convey truth as effectively, and sometimes more so, than documentaries by utilizing artifice and genre conventions.
He detailed how a film's emotional impact, dread, and humor are achieved through camera placement and editing, rather than pre-planned schematic approaches.
The director also discussed his use of formal cinematic techniques, such as split diopter shots, as a tool of film language to visually represent distance and discomfort.

Kleber Mendonça Filho wrote the lead role in 'The Secret Agent' specifically for Wagner Moura, admiring him for 10 years prior.
Filho defined a 'film star' as someone who effortlessly inhabits the frame and remains visually engaging, praising Moura's ability to convey emotion through stillness.
He discussed his approach to portraying brutality and violence with sincerity, drawing influences from directors like Verhoeven, De Palma, and Cronenberg.