Edge of Your Seat Films: The 12 Thrillers to Watch This Year

In a year marked by numerous blockbuster releases, BBC film critics Caryn James and Nicholas Barber have unveiled their picks for the most captivating films of the year. Among their top choices are several movies that have been making waves for their unique storytelling, impressive performances, and thought-provoking themes.

The Invite: A Hilarious and Moving Comedy

The Invite, directed by Olivia Wilde, stands out as a rare US comedy aimed at grown-ups. The film is based on a Spanish movie, which in turn was inspired by the writer-director's own stage play. The story follows an unhappily married couple, played by Seth Rogen and Olivia Wilde, and their laid-back neighbors, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton, who drop in for dinner. The contrast between the bickering hosts and their relaxed guests creates a hilariously awkward farce, but the screenplay also lays bare the characters' wounds and resentments, making for a genuinely moving experience.

The film boasts superb performances from all four actors, with Cruz delivering a particularly magnetic performance. Wilde, who also directed the film, proves herself to be a master of tone and pacing. If Oscar voters can get over their aversion to comedies, The Invite should be a contender.

The Odyssey: A Beguiling Epic

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is a long-awaited adaptation of Homer's centuries-old poem. The film is a testament to Nolan's characteristic style, with a non-linear narrative and stunning action-adventure sequences built on top of a thoughtful script. Matt Damon shines as Odysseus, delivering a natural and modern performance that makes the king relatable and sympathetic.

The film features a talented ensemble cast, including Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland, and Zendaya. Nolan's use of IMAX cameras creates an immersive and intimate experience, whether the scene is a large-scale battle or a cramped dinner table. The film leaves viewers with a timely social theme: that civic duty, governance, and moral choices intertwine.

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie: A Ludicrously Inventive Comedy

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is a proudly Canadian comedy written and directed by Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol. The film is a remake of Back to the Future, but with Bill and Ted from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure as the main characters. The story follows two buffoonish, would-be superstars who accidentally travel back in time, creating a fast-moving adventure that is both daft and sincere.

The film is a love letter to the city of Toronto and a heartfelt tribute to long-term friendship. With its unique blend of humor and heart, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is one of the year's most captivating comedies.

The Sheep Detectives: A Delightful Hybrid

The Sheep Detectives is a delightful hybrid of live-action and CGI animation that is suitable for children and captivating for adults. The story follows a kind shepherd, George, who is murdered, and the sheep who set out to track the clues and find his killer. The human cast is deft and game, with notable performances from Nicholas Braun and Emma Thompson.

The sheep, voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus and other talented actors, steal the film with their distinct and often childlike qualities. The film is a comic romp and an affectionate twist on cosy mysteries, making it one of the year's sweetest and best surprises.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

In 2002, director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland helped to revive the zombie-apocalypse sub-genre with 28 Days Later. In 2025, they did it again with 28 Years Later. Scripted by Garland and directed by Nia DaCosta, the sequel delivers all of the gore and terror you want from a zombie film, but it's also wonderfully idiosyncratic.

The film constructs its own elaborate folk-horror mythos and features the unlikely buddy-comedy pairing of a kindly mad scientist and a hulking cannibal. With its cheeky use of Duran Duran and Iron Maiden songs and its unforgettable villain, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is an eccentric masterpiece.

My Father's Shadow: A Powerful and Fierce Film

Set in Nigeria in 1993, Akinola Davies's film about a father and his two small sons is eloquent, warm, and fiercely honest. The story follows the father, played by Sope Dirisu, as he takes his sons along to Lagos, where they go to his workplace and he tries to get the money he's owed. The film's day gradually reveals the tumultuous backdrop of the presidential election, the results of which are nullified by a military dictatorship.

The film is loosely based on the director's and his brother's childhood memories, but its achievement lies in its ability to move gracefully from the personal to the political. With its pitch-perfect intimacy and its strong performances, My Father's Shadow is a powerful and fierce film that deserves attention.

Source: JOY