Marc Webb’s SNOW WHITE is a strong live-action musical adaptation—one that exceeds expectations in the best way. Rachel Zegler shines like never before, carrying the film from start to end. Her presence on screen is absolutely spellbinding. She can act, she can sing, but her performance doesn't fully overshadow weaker moments, especially the Evil Queen’s underwhelming scenes. It feels like a few opportunities were missed.

Radu Jude picks up an iPhone and reminds us how absurd and broken our world is. KONTINENTAL ‘25 is one of the must-see films of this year’s Berlinale and by far my favorite. It’s a singular and hilarious look at capitalism—especially the housing crisis—as well as nationalism, fascism, past and present conflicts, and religion. My Golden Bear.

The Dardenne brothers have done it again with JEUNES MÈRES: a rare blend of realism and tenderness, profoundly human and delicate. The film follows teenage girls as they confront the realities of young motherhood, exploring denial, doubt, fear, love, care, and a profound sense of sisterhood. It’s easily the most overlooked film of this year’s Cannes.

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF JOSEF MENGELE confronts the audience with the unrepentant nature and contradictions of Nazi doctor Mengele. 135 minutes of violence and brutality, sometimes implied, sometimes verbal, and sometimes explicitly shown. One scene in particular—exposed rather than narrated—is extremely raw and unexpected. It’s impossible not to think of THE ZONE OF INTEREST when watching it. These two films serve as important reminders that the end of the war did not mark the end of Nazism. August Diehl delivers an absolutely haunting portrayal.

I’M STILL HERE is devastating. It left me emotionally drained and exhausted, overwhelmed by its dramatic swing and the almost imperceptible glimmer of hope. Fernanda Torres gives a heartbreaking, raw, and complex performance—undoubtedly the best lead performance of 2024.

NOSFERATU is an impressively somber and macabre tale. Robert Eggers offers a distinct look at the mythic story, with great care and respect. Jarin Blaschke’s cinematography is stunning—at times profoundly inventive and breathtaking. The entire cast deserves acclaim (notably Bill Skarsgård and Nicholas Hoult), but Lily-Rose Depp stands out. She is not just excelling in her role; she fully inhabits it with profound dedication and commitment.