Nothing hits harder than cold, hard reality. It leaves no room for error and has devious ways of exploiting your vulnerabilities, slicing right through the thin veil of human construct. But, as brutal and cruel as it can be at times, the clouds clear, and the grip on your hands lightens. A fleeting moment of catharsis.
In times of reckoning, the struggles of others mirror our own, reminding us that we are not alone in our battles. The struggle is part of the human condition after all. Here are 7 films based on real stories, coming to you on theater or streaming.
1. “The Unbreakable Boy”
- Release Date: 21st February 2025 (US)
- Movie Cast: Jacob Laval, Zachary Levi, Meghann Fahy, Pilot Bunch, Gavin Warren, Peter Facinelli
A coming-of-age drama film directed by Jon Gunn, based on the book “The Unbreakable Boy: A Father’s Fear, a Son’s Courage, and a Story of Unconditional Love. Austin (played by Jacob Laval) is a boy with autism who is afflicted with brittle bone disease. Upon learning of this, his parents Scott (played by Zachary Levi) and Teresa (played by Meghann Fahy) worry about his future. Through indomitable will and spirit, Austin and his father form a bond of joy, gratitude and courage through hardship and tough times.
2. “A Complete Unknown”
- Release Date: 27th February 2025 (US)
- Movie Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Monica Barbaro, Joan Baez Edward Norton, Elle Fanning
A 19-year-old nobody to electric folk music phenomenon. The journey of the legendary Bob Dylan in 1961, played by two-time Academy Award nominee Timothée Chalamet. After moving to New York City, Dylan meets his idol Woody Guthrie (played by Scoot McNairy) and impresses him, with his musical talent.
Through Gurthrie’s introduction, Dylan gets his feet wet in the folk music industry but is ultimately frustrated with being forced to record covers for a poor-selling record label. Eventually, this led to him experimenting with an electric guitar, vitriol resulted from the audience. With his newfound fame and influence, Dylan grapples with the reality of the music industry and what it means to be an artist.
3. “The Alto Knights”
- Release Date: 20th March 2025 (US)
- Movie Cast: Robert De Niro, Debra Messing, Cosmo Jarvis, Kathrine Narducci
A biographical crime drama film starring Robert De Niro for the first time ever, playing the double role of Vito Genovese and Frank Costello, both mob bosses from separate crime families in the 1950s at odds with each other. Directed by Barry Levinson and written by Nicholas Pileggi. The story follows Genovese’s attempt to take down Costello by ordering a hit on him. Although Costello survives, he is wounded and ultimately decides to retire from the Mafia.
4. “Warfare”
- Release Date: 11th April 2025 (US)
- Movie Cast: D’Pharah Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Finn Bennett
A war film by the production studio A24, directed by Alex Garland and actual war veteran Ray Mendoza, who was an American Navy SEAL deployed in Iraq. The film tells a story of the troops on the ground based on real accounts, and would make an interesting spiritual prequel to Alex’s previous film “Civil War”.
5. “Nonnas”
- Release Date: 9th May 2025 (US)
- Movie Cast: Vince Vaugh, Linda Cardellini, Stanley Tucci, Drea de Matteo, Joe Manganiello
Based on the true story of Brooklyn man Joe Scaravella (played by Vince Vaughn) a single man at a dead-end job comes to terms with the trajectory of his life, and struggles for a second chance by opening a restaurant staffed by grandmothers as chefs. Directed by Stephen Chbosky and written by Liz Maccie.
6. “Michael”
- Release Date: 3rd October 2025 (US)
- Movie Cast: Jafaar Jackson, Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Miles Teller and Colman Domingo
A biopic of the king of pop, THE Micheal Jackson (played by his nephew Jaafar Jackson) following Micheal’s career from being part of the Jackson 5, through tumultuous childhood with abuse from his father, to his rapid ascend to stardom, to his tragic passing in 2009. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, who brought you works such as “Training Day” and “The Equalizer”, and written by John Logan, a three-time Oscar nominee screenwriter.
7. “Roofman”
- Release Date: 3rd October 2025 (US)
- Movie Cast: Channing Tatum, Peter Dinklage, LaKeith Stanfield, Kirsten Dunst, Ben Mendelsohn
A rooftop robber on the run, based on the actual escaped convict Jeffrey Manchester (played by Channing Tatum) hides out at a Toys “R” Us loading dock in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he becomes a regular at Crossroads Presbyterian Church. There, he befriends parishioner and minister, Ron Smith (played by Ben Mendelsohn), all while keeping his fugitive status a secret. Directed by Derek Cianfrance.
Honourable Mentions
8. “Roosevelt”
- Release Date: TBA
- Movie Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, TBA
A biopic starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Theodore Roosevelt, from his early years as a frail privileged New York politician with a Harvard degree to his rise as a tough and charismatic leader of Rough Riders. Directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Scott Bloom, the film follows him to the governorship of New York, vice presidency and the subsequent assassination of William McKinley, then the presidency of the United States.
2025 is going to be one of the years of all time, make stories and memories. With these 7 films, may your inspiration juices ebb and flow, just like the serpentine rivers, that so resemble the rolls of film, whose vintage aesthetic and history still colour our screens to this day.
Gan Qi Hao contributed to this article.
