10 of the Best Films From This Year's Berlinale

The 74th annual Berlin International Film Festival — commonly referred to simply as the Berlinale — was one of the most controversial editions of the fest. The Berlinale is often a highly political festival, and this year the event got caught up in a storm of contradictions and tensions.

First there was the festival's highly controversial invitation of members of the AfD party, a popular far-right German political party, and the AfD's subsequent disinvitation shortly before the festival. There were also conflicting internal stances on the Israel-Hamas conflict — many German politicians stand with Israel, while much of the film industry is calling for an end to Israel's military actions in Gaza. Making the situation more complicated was an acceptance speech by the filmmakers behind No Other Land, who called for Germany to stop supplying weapons to Israel, along with the Berlinale's Instagram account being compromised. (Someone reportedly hacked the account and posted images condemning the Berlinale for complacency in regard to genocide, with the festival pursuing legal action.)

On top of the political turmoil, the festival was also plagued with an unfortunately weak lineup of films. From disappointments to downright amateurish entries, the Berlinale is building a reputation as home to the rejects of Cannes and Venice. But after enough digging, we critics found a few diamonds in the rough, though some previously premiered at Sundance. Here are 10 Berlinale entries to look out for. If there is a trailer available, it will be linked in the title below.

Best of the Berlinale

1. "Chime"

Kiyoshi Kurosawa, director of movies such as Pulse and Cure, hits this 45-minute short out of the park. Members of a cooking class experience a sudden suicide after one student starts complaining about hearing a chime.

2. The Devil's Bath

An Austrian thriller about a peasant woman in 1750 Austria who is caught between suicidal depression and religious duty. Agnes slowly loses her mind serving her husband and mother-in-law and desperately looks for a way out without being damned to hell. Coming soon to Shudder. 

3. A Different Man

Sebastian Stan stars in a  character study about a man with neurofibromatosis in the face who undergoes an experimental medicine that causes his excess skin to fall off. Afterward he fakes his death and takes up a new identity. Several years later he sees auditions for a play about his life, written by his old neighbor. Like Tár, it's a film featuring an initially likable character becoming more and more questionable. Coming soon to theaters.

4. Dying

Dying is an epic from the perspective of three different family members as they struggle through life, death, love and loss. Filled with German-branded comedy and drama. Dying is a lot of movie in its three-hour runtime.

5. I Saw the TV Glow

I might be a little biased when it comes to this one, but I Saw the TV Glow is my personal favorite of the decade so far. It's a story about two queer high-schoolers who bond over a TV show and find escapism together to avoid the harsh world around them. It is the first great movie with representation for asexuals on the big screen — and it's relatable for anyone who's dove a bit too far into their escapism. Coming soon to theaters. Opening May 3.

6. Love Lies Bleeding

A blood-soaked neo-Western thriller/romance set in 1980s Albuquerque, N.M. Starring Kristen Stewart and Katy M. O’Brian as a pair of lovers who get caught up in the criminal world as their love gets tangled up in a violent act of revenge. Opening wide March 14.

7. The Outrun

Saoirse Ronan stars in the adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s journals of her sobriety journey. A heart-wrenching tale that’s highly relatable to those who have suffered or are close with those who suffer with alcoholism. A success story that hopefully inspires hope in alcoholics and earns sympathy from those who don’t understand the disease. 

8. Sasquatch Sunset

Four sasquatches roam the forest looking for other sasquatches in this no-dialogue comedy. Sasquatch Sunset is filled with gross-out humor that had audiences running for the exit at Berlin and Sundance, but past the grossness is a very somber look at the relationship humans have with nature. Opening April 19.

9. Spaceman

Adam Sandler plays a Czech astronaut on a solo mission to collect a mysterious space dust on the edge of the solar system. He is isolated until being approached by a spider-like alien voiced by Paul Dano. The alien takes interest in his loneliness and helps him explore his memories and his failing relationship with his wife. Now streaming on Netflix.

10. The Stranger’s Case

A story that dramatizes the journey of Syrian refugees and the trail of bloodshed along the way. The Stranger's Case is presented from the perspective of five different people involved with the refugee journey, and it covers issues from the ongoing conflict in Syria to the inhumane conditions and unwelcoming environments refugees often face. 

Honorable Mentions

Cuckoo: A phenomenal first half with some of the best suspense in years undone by a nonsensical plot that falls apart in the second half. 

The Roundup: Punishment: 109 minutes of mostly punching over a jazzy soundtrack.