5 of my favourite films at Toronto International Film Festival 2025

The Toronto International Film Festival has wrapped for another year, and after jam-packed schedule, a few favourite films emerged.

The 50th anniversary festival ran from Sept. 4 to 14 in the heart of Toronto’s entertainment district. This year, there were 291 films (209 features, six classics, 10 primetime, and 66 shorts).

TIFF’s 50th edition saw over 700,000 guests, nearly 2,000 accredited media, 6,000 industry delegates, 1,200 screenings, and a stellar lineup of talent who graced 110 red carpets, festival organizers said.

While I missed out on some of the big award winners such as Hamnet, No Other Choice and Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, after seeing about 15 films during the festival, a few stand out as favourites.

Here are five of my favourite films at the festival:

The Christophers

Michaela Coel and Ian McKellen star in The Christophers.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh, this UK black comedy revolves around a tangled world of art and commerce. Michaela Coel (Chewing Gum) stars opposite the cultural icon, Ian McKellen. Coel plays thirtysomething Lori, a freelance art restorer and artist who is approached by the estranged adult children of renowned painter Julian Sklar (McKellen).

The children, Barnaby Sklar, played by James Corden (The Late Late Show), and Sallie Sklar, played by Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer), ask Lori to take a series of long-abandoned, unfinished paintings, known as “The Christophers” from Sklar’s London home, and complete the paintings using her masterful imitation skills. The children have a plan to sell the finished works after their father’s death.

The film takes unexpected turns and twists, skillfully executed with this strong cast.

Tuner

Dustin Hoffman and Leo Woodall star in Tuner.

Canadian documentary film director Daniel Roher’s (Navalny) debut narrative film brings together the legendary Dustin Hoffman and Leo Woodall (One Day) in an offbeat thriller about two piano tuners. Niki White (Woodall) suffers from extremely sensitive hearing, which ended a promising musical career. He now works with mentor and father-figure Harry Horowitz (Hoffman), tuning pianos across New York City.

When a group of criminals discover White’s uncanny ability as a safe-cracker, and Horowitz falls ill, the film takes a dark turn. To complicate matters, White develops a romantic relationship with gifted musician Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu).

While predictable at times, this film is entertaining and a must-see for fans of Hoffman and Woodall.

Homebound

Vishal Jethwa and Ishaan Khatter star in Homebound.

Executive produced by Martin Scorsese and directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, this gut-wrenching drama from India tells the story of two young men who both dream of a career in policing. Two of India’s most popular actors, Vishal Jethwa and Ishaan Khatter bring skillful performances.

Chandan (Jethwa), a Dalit (lowest Indian caste), and Shoaib (Khatter), a Muslim, are determined to beat the odds: out of 2.5 million applicants, they each hope to win one of just 3,500 police jobs available, believing that wearing a uniform will provide them with the dignity they desire.

The film explores tensions between Muslims and Hindus and the lingering impacts of India’s caste system. But mostly it is a story of friendship, family and coming of age.

Good News

Good News reimagines the true story of a highjacked plane.

An action thriller from South Korean writer-director Byun Sung-hyun (The Kingmaker) reimagines a true story of a hijacked plane. At the film opening, Sung-hyun told the audience that he had heard of the story about a Japanese plane that was hijacked in 1970, and he thought it was such a dramatic event that it should be adapted into a film.

The action starts when members of the Japan Communist League Red Faction hijack a Japan Airlines passenger plane and force the pilots to fly to Pyongyang. The story isn’t so much about the hijacking but instead centres around the buffoonery of officials in both countries attempting to handle the crisis.  A mysterious figure known only as “Nobody” (Sul Kyung-gu) is called in to advise on a secret intervention.

This sharp, genre-bending film had audience members laughing out loud and thoroughly along for the ride.

Carolina Caroline

Kyle Gallner and Samara Weaving star in Carolina Caroline.

A Bonnie and Clyde-style crime thriller, Carolina Caroline packs a lot of action and steamy romance into 105 minutes. Samara Weaving (Guns Akimbo) stars as Caroline, a young woman living an ordinary life, caring for her single father (Jon Gries) in small-town Texas.

When she meets charming thief Oliver (Kyle Gallner), Caroline gets caught up in the allure and thrill of a perfect con. Soon, Oliver is teaching Caroline the ropes and the two become partners in a cross-country crime spree.

The film dazzles with brilliant performances, including a small yet powerful part for Kyra Sedgwick.