Past Lives is a film that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll, a deeply affecting exploration of love, destiny, and the roads not taken. Directed by first-time filmmaker Celine Song, this modern romance tells the story of Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), childhood friends who are separated when Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. Two decades later, they are reunited in New York for a week that forces them to confront the emotional complexity of their connection and the lives they’ve chosen.

Netflix’s Nyad is a cinematic venture that plunges into the depths of human tenacity, brought to the forefront by Annette Bening's stellar performance. As Diana Nyad, Bening masterfully captures the essence of resilience and courage, breathing life into the remarkable journey of the marathon swimmer. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes increasingly apparent that the film's structure, while commendable, may be better suited for the documentary format.

From its emergence in the pop culture canon in the late 70s to its satirical self-evaluation in the 90s to its current state in the 2020s, the slasher subgenre is beginning to reinvent itself again, most recently in the new Amazon Prime film, Totally Killer, which sees a subgenre mashup of slasher and time travel comedy.

Since the release of his film Once in 2007, John Carney has established himself as an indie-directing staple, consistently weaving thematics of music with the human condition. Through his following films, Begin Again and Sing Street, as well as his work on the Amazon series Modern Love, inspired by the New York Times column, his comprehension of soul is consistently ever-present throughout his work. Carney’s latest, Flora and Son, is no exception.

Heart of Stone, directed by Tom Harper, is an action thriller that seeks to carve out a space for itself in the crowded genre of espionage films, but despite its high-octane stunts and polished visuals, it ultimately falls short of leaving a lasting impression. Starring Gal Gadot as Rachel Stone, an intelligence operative tasked with protecting her organization’s most valuable—and dangerous—asset, the film has all the makings of a blockbuster on paper. Unfortunately, in practice, it’s weighed down by a formulaic script and a surprising lack of emotional depth.

Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is a bold, vibrant reimagining of the iconic doll, infused with sharp humor, insightful commentary, and a dazzling aesthetic that makes it as much a visual feast as it is a cultural critique. Starring Margot Robbie as the titular Barbie and Ryan Gosling as her ever-loyal Ken, the film delves into the complexities of identity, gender roles, and the influence of capitalism, all while keeping its tongue firmly in its cheek.

As a whole, Biosphere delves deep into unexpected places and ultimately offers up one of the best feats of bottle-cinema in recent memory. It’s a crime that this film will be horrendously underseen because Biosphere is undoubtedly one of the year's best films.