I have always been a fan of a heartbreaking film; one that just completely breaks your heart. But this year, as I went to the cinema, I found myself watching and being drawn to multiple films that gave me a sense of optimism. Sometimes, this felt cautious, like daring to breathe the words could cause any light to get snuffed out. In other sense, it felt overwhelming and agitated, telling me to stop giving into the despair. There is a better world out there, and you have to grab it with both hands! These are a few 2025 releases that I think, in their own (sometimes strange) way, brought me a sense of optimism about the future.
When I discuss optimistic films from 2025, my mind quickly goes to The Life of Chuck. You might remember the photo of Tom Hiddleston smiling and holding his coffee mug that was all over the internet, cinemas and the tube over the summer. I remember being in a terrible mood the day I went to see it but I left with quite a peaceful and relaxed feeling. As the fragmented pieces of the story came together (I will not try to explain the plot here because I genuinely don’t think I could in under 2000 words), I really felt myself reflect on my place in the world. I felt lucky to get to spend the time sitting in the cinema, thinking of the multitudes I contain and how much there is around me to appreciate. A reminder that there is goodness and joy in the world, and somehow you have to work to see it, but it’s worth it.
Another film I immediately thought of was I Swear. Often when films about people with disabilities are released, they can be patronising and feel like they focus on how other characters feel to know the disabled person, rather than the person themself. So I was so pleasantly surprised whilst watching I Swear to see that John Davidson and his Tourette’s was so undeniably the centre of the film. I was even happier to see how much the film focussed on education as the way to make disabled people’s lives easier. By making the general public more aware of the symptoms and behaviours exhibited by someone with Tourette’s and how best to respond to these to make that person more comfortable and make their life easier. It left me feeling hopeful that there is a more understanding and kinder future waiting for us all, if we just try.
Okay, this one might be a little out of left field, but I also felt kind of optimistic leaving Sorry, Baby. Now don’t get me wrong, a lot of the film was devastating and made me uncomfortable but a few scenes stick out to me as making me feel a bit better about it all. The first has to be the “sandwich scene” as I have heard it called. When Agnes (Eva Victor) is spiralling, wading through the aftermath of a harrowing experience, she meets Pete (John Carroll Lynch). They converse – albeit briefly and reasonably vaguely – about what Agnes has been going through, but the kindness and patience shown throughout the scene feels like a ray of light in the darkness of the film. To know that there are people out there who are willing to help, willing to be kind to others with no ulterior motive. After someone she trusted treats her so despicably, I felt comforted by Agnes being looked out for by a complete stranger. These feelings were reflected in the final scene, where Agnes meets Lydie (Naomi Ackie)’s baby, and talks about how she will look out for the baby and will be a safe place for her. It continues this feeling of human connection being so valuable when you’re struggling and that leaning on each other will help us move forward.
And finally… if you have interacted with me on any form of social media this year, you may have heard about my absolute adoration for the film The Ballad of Wallis Island. I will try to contain my excitement and need to constantly talk about it, by keeping this short and sweet. And although it made me bawl my eyes out on the multiple occasions I saw it at the cinema, its lasting impact was a feeling of moving on. Charles (Tim Key) is still mourning his partner. Herb (Tom Basden) is wondering who he is as an artist (and a person) after his band and relationship breaking down. The pair eventually become unlikely friends by the end of the film, and remind each other that you can honour and appreciate the past, whilst moving on and becoming something new.
