Here are a few short reviews of December films I had the pleasure of seeing early!

“The Testament of Ann Lee”
4.5/5
For me, the best musical of 2025 is not “Wicked: For Good,” it is this beautiful little film.

I have not been the biggest Amanda Seyfried fan in the past, but between this, “The Housemaid” (see below) and her press tour soundbytes for these two films, she is definitely growing on me.

This movie is a fascinating and poetic journey that I really found myself connecting with in the darkness of the cinema.

It is super experimental, telling the story of the Shakers coming to America under the leadership of Ann Lee with a fervor that felt like a fever dream.

In addition to a stellar performance by Seyfried in the titular role, Lewis Pullman continues to be captivating as her brother, a remarkable follow up to his scene-stealing turn earlier this year as Bob in “Thunderbolts*.”

“Is This Thing On?”
4/5
I was completely moved by this dramedy, and both Laura Dern and Will Arnett give outstanding performances. I am hit or miss with Bradley Cooper as an actor and a director, and he really hits on both fronts with this one.

It is a really insightful story about the complexities of being in a long-term relationship, and I really enjoyed its humor and its heart.

“The Housemaid”
3.5/5
If you’re looking for some some alternative programming in the middle of Christmas blockbuster and awards bait season, “The Housemaid” is the movie for you. It’s a twisty little ride.

I will admit that the first half had me rolling my eyes a bit, but once that mic drop moment hit, I was locked in for this salacious trip to the cinema.

“Marty Supreme”
3/5
For me, this was more like “Marty Meh.”

I used to be on the Timothée Chalamet hype train (see my essays on “Call Me by Your Name” and “Little Women,” along with my review of “A Complete Unknown”), but I think he is starting to suffer from a little overexposure.

You cannot go on social media without seeing the Marty Supreme Christmas Day hype train (blimp included) or some kind of parody of it. I personally have found some of these parodies to be more entertaining than the movie itself.

The movie does at times feel like a slog, and I really did not find myself connecting with or being captivated by the protagonist at all. Both the character and the movie as a whole can feel like an exercise in exhaustion, just chaos for the sake of chaos.

However, I still did have some fun with this one, it just didn’t wow me like some of Chalamet’s previous work.

I have also come to the conclusion that I just am not a Safdie brothers fan, as this was just about as insufferable for me as “Uncut Gems,” and I see some of my peers going bonkers for this just like they did for that one.

“Goodbye June”
3/5
I really wanted to like this more because Kate Winslet is one of my favorite actresses, but unfortunately, this is just a mediocre Christmas weepie.

I think a lot of people will come to this for Winslet, Helen Mirren, Toni Collette and/or Andrea Riseborough, but for me, Johnny Flynn gives the movie’s best performance.

Ultimately, though, you should probably just watch/rewatch “The Holiday” (Winslet) or “The Family Stone” (Christmas weepie) instead of this.