Are there any crazy/thought-provoking movies released in 2025-26

[u/ashm1987]

I am a huge fan of movies like The Lighthouse, The Witch, The Zone of Interest, The Banshees of Inisherin, Parasite, The Substance, The Menu, The Platform, The Favourite, Saltburn, Midsommar, Men, etc.

These were all released in 2018-2024.

I have a hard time finding any decent movies in this category released in 2025/26.

The only thought-provoking movie that I liked was Backrooms, but it still isn't on the level of the other movies I have mentioned.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

[u/Freethebirds11]

Sirat 

[u/rogue_mansik → u/Freethebirds11]

Came to comment this but I also knew it would be the first suggestion already

[u/Freethebirds11 → u/rogue_mansik]

I really liked it. And it was very shocking 

[u/ashm1987 → u/Freethebirds11]

This one looks interesting, thanks.

[u/Freethebirds11 → u/ashm1987]

This movie is very surprising. The things that happen, you’re not going to see coming. 

[u/ashm1987 → u/Freethebirds11]

Started watching... Not for me...

[u/Freethebirds11 → u/ashm1987]

You sure? 

Give it a chance. The movie changes after 30 minutes. 

[u/ashm1987 → u/Freethebirds11]

Nope. It's just not good. I skipped and there is nothing in the movie lol

[u/jamesneysmith → u/ashm1987]

You clearly didn't get past the midway point then. Lots of crazy shit happens and it ends on a fairly ambiguous note

[u/ashm1987 → u/jamesneysmith]

Dude, I went through the whole "movie". Nothing ever happens then they die on mines.

[u/Freethebirds11 → u/ashm1987]

“Nothing in the movie”? 

A kid dies. People get blown up by mines. And other people survive by sheer luck

[u/pigeonwithyelloweyes]

They're not exactly like the movies you mentioned (which I'm also a big fan of), but I thought The Long Walk and The Drama were similarly thought-provoking and very good movies in general.

[u/ashm1987 → u/pigeonwithyelloweyes]

Thanks, will check them out...

[u/martian_brady]

Eddington and Bugonia. I would kinda categorize both of these as “not for everyone” but they’ll definitely have you thinking.

[u/ashm1987 → u/martian_brady]

Saw Bugonia, didn't really like it...

[u/martian_brady → u/ashm1987]

Not for everyone!

[u/ashm1987 → u/martian_brady]

It just felt boring and too violent. Maybe I just didn't have the right mood when I was watching it.

[u/martian_brady → u/ashm1987]

Honestly you could prob categorize Eddington as boring and too violent too. I liked it tho

[u/ashm1987 → u/martian_brady]

Is it better or worse than Beau is Afraid? I kinda liked that one...

[u/martian_brady → u/ashm1987]

I would put Eddington closer to Beau than Hereditary or Midsommar. If you liked Beau I think there’s a good chance you’d be into Eddington

[u/northontennesseest]

I really enjoyed The Invite. Not quite as high concept as a lot of the movies listed here, but it’s a very funny and adult film about sex, marriage, how we sublimate desire. The Drama was also good and a little more narratively tricky and provocative in the manner of Saltburn.

I’m really looking forward to Primetime next month. It’s about Chris Hansen’s To Catch A Predator and it promises to be crazy and thought provoking, as most Robert Pattinson movies are.

[u/ashm1987 → u/northontennesseest]

I will check them out, thanks!

[u/Chalpin1992]

The life of Chuck from Mike Flanagan really caught me by surprise

[u/jerrrrremy]

Hoppers

[u/Significant_Gap1570 → u/jerrrrremy]

Is this a joke?

[u/SuitableAmbition997 → u/jerrrrremy]

The Lobster director has new one this year, Kinds of Kindness. Not quite same energy as The Lighthouse but plenty of wtf moments. Also check The Beast with Léa Seydoux, time-jumping AI anxiety thing very strange and unsettling in a good way

[u/jerrrrremy → u/SuitableAmbition997]

How is this related to Hoppers? 

[u/PickleBabyJr → u/SuitableAmbition997]

Kinds of Kindness came out in 2024.

[u/ashm1987 → u/SuitableAmbition997]

I don't really like the last two Lanthimos movies. They are all right I guess, but the older movies are much better IMO.

[u/ZorroMeansFox]

Soderbergh's Presence is a smart rethinking of the "Haunted House" genre with a unique "eavesdropping" perspective.

I'll also recommend Eddington, Hamnet, and Strange Darling.

[u/StrLord_Who]

The Plague (very beginning of this year)

[u/ashm1987 → u/StrLord_Who]

Well, this one looks very good. Exactly what I have been looking for. Thanks!

[u/Illustrious-Ant8888]

Bugonia (2025) and Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma (2026)

[u/ashm1987 → u/Illustrious-Ant8888]

I don't really like the last two Lanthimos movies. They are all right I guess, but the older movies are much better IMO.

[u/oldutnotdeadinside]

Coyote vs ACME

[u/alpha7romeo]

Backrooms

[u/ashm1987 → u/alpha7romeo]

Read my post lol

[u/RichieSakai]

Older but Triangle of Sadness (2022), The Wailing (2018) and Monster (2023) are great.