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Tom Cruise Returns, De Niro Honored, and Hollywood Shows Up in Force
Hollywood has made a strong return to Cannes this year. Tom Cruise comes back with "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning," three years after "Top Gun: Maverick" made waves at the box office. Although he's not receiving an honorary Palme d'Or, Robert De Niro will take home that honour, just a year before the 50th anniversary of "Taxi Driver" winning the same prize. Spike Lee is back with "Highest 2 Lowest," his take on Kurosawa's 1963 film, starring Denzel Washington.
The out-of-competition section also includes Ethan Coen's "Honey Don't!," following last year's "Drive Away Dolls." These titles are not competing for the top prize, partly due to streaming and French cinema laws, but their presence highlights the festival's popularity and significance.
Palme d'Or Race: Fresh Faces and Festival Favorites
The main competition sees a mix of veteran filmmakers and new voices. Previous Palme winners the Dardenne brothers return with "Young Mothers," and Lynne Ramsay enters with "Die, My Love," featuring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson. Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa's "Two Prosecutors" and Wes Anderson's "The Phoenician Scheme" also join the lineup, with a star-studded cast including Bill Murray, Riz Ahmed, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Hanks.
Joachim Trier reunites with Renate Reinsve in "Sentimental Value," while Iranian director Jafar Panahi presents "A Simple Accident." Kelly Reichardt returns with "The Mastermind," a period heist drama starring Josh O'Connor, who also features in "The History of Sound" by Oliver Hermanus, alongside Paul Mescal.
Fresh competition entries include Carla Simón's "Romería" and Mascha Schilinski's "Sound of Falling." The latter has gained attention for its focus on generational trauma and buzz ahead of the festival. Notably, this year's competition includes seven female directors, about a third of the total, showing growing gender representation.
Julia Ducournau, who won the Palme d'Or in 2021 for "Titane," returns with "Alpha," a horror story set during the AIDS crisis. Ari Aster debuts at Cannes with "Eddington," set during the Covid-19 pandemic, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal.
The jury is led by Juliette Binoche, with members including Halle Berry and Jeremy Strong. They will judge 22 films and reveal the winner on May 24.
Un Certain Regard and Global Voices
In the Un Certain Regard section, Kristen Stewart directs "The Chronology of Water" starring Imogen Poots. Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut "Eleanor The Great" stars June Squibb, while Harris Dickinson helms "Urchin," set in London. "My Father's Shadow" becomes the first Nigerian film to feature in Cannes' official selection, making headlines.
Ongoing conflicts also find space in Cannes. Nadav Lapid presents "Yes!," a film set after the October 7 attacks, while Sepideh Farsi's "Put Your Soul On Your Hand And Walk" tells the story of Fatima Hassouna, a war documentarian who was recently killed during the Gaza conflict.
Global Cinema Meets Politics and Awards Season Buzz
Politics won't be far from the discussion, as recent talk includes potential tariffs on foreign-produced films, suggested by President Donald Trump. If enacted, this could impact future participation and distribution, and the topic is expected to be debated in the festival's film market.
Despite these concerns, Cannes is riding high. The 2025 selection was made from nearly 3,000 submissions, with major titles added until the final moment. The festival, once trailing behind Venice due to streaming limitations, turned the tide with the Oscar-winning "Parasite" in 2019. Since then, it has remained a key player in the awards circuit. Films like "Anatomy of a Fall," "The Zone of Interest," and "The Substance" all had strong showings both at Cannes and the Oscars.
What will be the breakout film this year? With such a strong lineup and global attention, Cannes 2025 looks set to deliver yet another unforgettable edition.
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