Australian cinema has delivered a remarkably eclectic and high-quality slate in 2025, according to esteemed film critic Luke Buckmaster. His annual top ten list, reserved for films receiving a general Australian release this year, spans genres from nightmarish thrillers and heart-wrenching documentaries to offbeat comedies and outright monster mayhem.
A Diverse Line-Up From Horror to Hummingbirds
Buckmaster's selection highlights the vibrant diversity of local storytelling. The list is bookended by powerful works focusing on human resilience in extreme circumstances. At number ten is the horror film 'Bring Her Back' from directors Danny and Michael Philippou. Featuring a standout performance from Sally Hawkins as a grieving foster mother, the film descends into occult terror, leaving a lasting, grotesque impression.
Claiming the top spot is Gabrielle Brady's hybrid documentary 'The Wolves Always Come at Night'. This immersive film transports viewers to the Gobi Desert to follow a family of Mongolian herders. Buckmaster praises its quiet but striking power and its profound ability to foster empathy, calling it a harmony between life's facts and poetic cinema.
Star Power and Genre-Bending Spectacle
Hollywood icon Nicolas Cage makes a memorable appearance in Australian cinema with 'The Surfer', landing at number three. Directed by Lorcan Finnegan, the film is a sun-scorched, nightmarish head-trip where Cage's businessman returns to his coastal hometown only to be tormented by local surfers. Buckmaster commends its wild visuals and gloriously over-the-top acting.
For pure, high-concept spectacle, 'Beast of War' at number five delivers. Directed by Kiah Roache-Turner, this World War II-set film pits shipwrecked ANZAC soldiers against a gigantic, vengeful shark. Buckmaster notes its shrewdly balanced tone and striking, hallucinatory atmosphere filled with mist, describing it as a hellzapoppin' cracker.
Intimate Stories and Charismatic Documentaries
The list also celebrates smaller, character-driven gems. The Melbourne-set dramedy 'Fwends' at number seven captures the effortless, wandering conversations between two twenty-something friends, drawing comparisons to Richard Linklater's work. At number eight, 'The Correspondent' sees Richard Roxburgh deliver a grounded, powerful performance as journalist Peter Greste, imprisoned in Egypt.
Documentaries feature strongly, offering unique slices of life. 'The Golden Spurtle' at number six is a charming look at the world porridge-making championship, while 'Every Little Thing' at number four is a big-hearted, melancholic study of a woman who rehabilitates hummingbirds. Justin Kurzel's first documentary, 'Ellis Park' at number five, offers a cinematic portrait of musician Warren Ellis and his wildlife sanctuary.
Rounding out the list is the prison drama 'Inside' at number two, starring Guy Pearce and Cosmo Jarvis. Buckmaster highlights its tender yet psychologically branding power, successfully avoiding cliché. Together, these ten films present a compelling snapshot of a national industry thriving on ambition, originality, and bold artistic vision.
