Matt at the Movies: The 2025 Spring Slate
Matt is back this week rating the excitement vibes surrounding the spring releases that will hit theaters before the summer blockbuster season.
There are films with great potential - or expectations - coming out in the next few months.
Aprés Oscars, it often seems like it’s time for Hollywood to move on to the next reel, but this spring features several films to get excited about.
Below are ten movies worth seeing on the Silver Screen. You can click on each title to view the trailer.
The Assessment (March 20th)
Currently playing at The Independent Picture House, this Magnolia Pictures film premiered during the Toronto International Film Festival. The sci-fi feature stars Academy Award winner Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Olson, and Himesh Patel.
In the future, the right to have a child is strictly controlled. Vikander works as an assessor who decides who gets to give birth. The assessor spends seven days with a couple monitoring their routines, mimicking childlike behavior, and seemingly becomes more twisted as the week goes on.
The film feels mysterious, eerie, and even quite scary as the couple must manage their cool in hopes of passing the test. Vikander is no stranger to these types of films (Ex Machina) and she will get a chance to shine.
Matt at the Movies Excitement Meter: 8/10
Magazine Dreams (March 21st)
This film first premiered in 2023, but an assault charge against star Jonathan Majors shelved what could have been a real vehicle towards awards for this amazing performance. Majors - who has recently been giving interviews about the incident as well as his upbringing - was as bright a star as could be in Hollywood, starring in the Marvel universe as Kang as well as the antagonist to Michael B. Jordan in Creed 3. Magazine Dreams’ synopsis states, “A man looks after his ailing grandfather while trying to make it in the world of professional bodybuilding.”
Watching the trailer, you can see it dives much deeper into the psyche of a man trying to achieve perfection and the mental toll it takes on his life. This looks both intense and heartbreaking with Majors carrying the role with real gravitas.
Matt at the Movies Excitement Meter: 7/10
Death of a Unicorn (March 28th)
A24 is back with another extremely weird tale. Elliot Kitner (Paul Rudd) and his daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega) accidentally hit a unicorn on their way to Elliot’s wealthy boss’ summer retreat.
When they arrive with the mythical creature in tow, the wealthy Leopold clan sees dollar signs and brings in scientists to extrapolate how the fantastical magic qualities of the animal can be used for profit. The slain unicorn's parents show up, and a gory revenge tour begins for all parties involved. Funny, campy, and horror-laden, this could be a fun couple hours of pure absurdity. I would not expect anything less from A24 as master of creepiness Ari Aster served as producer on the picture.
Matt at the Movies Excitement Meter: 6/10
A Working Man (March 28th)
Jason Statham has made a very good niche for himself as the unassuming badass with a wonderful accent who you never cross. He can be hit(man) or miss, but in the last couple years Statham featured in the excellent Guy Ritchie film Wrath of Man and last year's surprisingly fun The Beekeeper.
In A Working Man, Statham stars as a former black ops military man who’s settled into a simple life of construction work. His boss's daughter is snatched up in a human trafficking ring and he calls on Statham to go back to his old ways to track his daughter down.
Much like the storyline of The Beekeeper, the deeper his character goes down the rabbit hole, the more corruption rears its head as the higher-ups on the ladder of power are exposed. Some good ol’ action fun with one of the genre's most reliable leads.
Matt at the Movies Excitement Meter: 7.5/10
The Penguin Lessons (March 28th)
Set in 1976 Argentina during the beginning of the “Dirty War” political period, this true story is an adoption of Tom Michell’s 2015 novel. One of my all-time favorite comedy actors - Steve Coogan - stars as an Englishman who took an English teaching job at an exclusive boys prep school.
During a holiday break in Uruguay, he rescues a penguin from an oil slick and the bird becomes attached to the educator. He essentially adopts the penguin and brings him to school to live and become the unofficial school mascot for the young boys. His students' grades and excitement to learn improve along with the bonds created by his new animal friend. The trailer was very light hearted, hopeful, and made me feel good inside.
Matt at the Movies Excitement Meter: 8/10
The Ballad of Wallis Island (April 10th)
Another indie feature that will play at the Independent Picture House, The Battle of Wallis Island is set on a remote island that is home to an eccentric lottery winner named Charles, who dreams of his favorite band reuniting.
Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan star as the broken-up duo who individually accept the very generous offer to play a private show on the island. Unbeknownst to Tom, his ex-partner has a new husband in tow.
There is plenty of quirky British charm and comedy that made me giggle multiple times viewing the trailer.
Matt at the Movies Excitement Meter: 7/10
Warfare (April 11th)
This A24 film is written by one of my favorites, Alex Garland (Civil War/Ex Machina/28 Days Later) and directed by Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza. It’s a veritable who's who of young actors featuring Will Poulter, D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Reservation Dogs), Cosmo Jarvis (Shōgun), and Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things/Gladiator 2).
A platoon of Navy SEALs are ambushed in Iraq, and we see the story unfold through the collective memories of the event. It has elements of Black Hawk Down, American Sniper, and Lone Survivor that will surely feature edge-of-your-seat intensity.
Matt at the Movies Excitement Meter: 9/10
The Uninvited (April 11th)
An elderly stranger arrives at the doorstep of a couples Hollywood Hills home claiming the house is hers. Rose (Elizabeth Reaser) and husband Sammy (Walton Goggins) are hosting a party and must deal with this new visitor, the questions she brings, and hilarious situations that arise throughout the night that make each reflect on their lives. The star studded cast also features Pedro Pascal and Rufus Sewell in a heartwarming and fun premise.
Matt at the Movies Excitement Meter: 7/10
Sinners (April 11th)
The extremely talented director Ryan Coogler has finally left the Marvel sphere to get back to his first original feature since his breakout 2013 film Fruitvale Station. He brings back his most trusted actor Michael B. Jordan who is playing both twin brothers in the 1930’s Jim Crow south story. The bootlegging brothers return to their home to start over and notice that a great evil has descended upon their land. One night as they enjoy themselves at a makeshift speakeasy the terror arrives at the front door and they must fight their way out for survival. This horror action paranormal story also features Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, and Delroy Lindo. It’s hard to go against any film where Coogler and Jordan team up together.
Matt at the Movies Excitement Meter: 8.5/10
The Accountant 2 (April 25th)
I rewatched The Accountant this weekend and it held up as a fun romp. Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal return as brothers who must help solve the murder of a retired Treasury Department agent.
Affleck’s character is the titular forensic accountant who works for some of the most evil crime organizations in the world. His character is a high functioning autist who - along with his brother - has acquired a set of combat and sniper skills from their father’s military upbringing.
The estranged brothers team up in a raised-stakes sequel featuring more locations, action, and mystery. It should be a fitting continuation of the original film.
Matt at the Movies Excitement Meter: 8/10
Fin
See you next time at Matt at the Movies! Now, let’s all go to the lobby and have ourselves a snack. The big steak at Rada is a good choice, and it’s a great place to find local celebrities.