The Venice Film Festival has officially kicked off the fall fest season and awards season, with a star-studded lineup of new movies premiering on the Lido. This year’s festival is notable for its politically charged events, including protests against Israel’s war in Gaza and biopics about Vladimir Putin and Mother Teresa.
Among the talent showcasing their work are George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Idris Elba, and Oscar Isaac, who will compete with Netflix’s heavy-hitting titles, such as Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. The streaming giant is also seeking to make a bold statement by releasing its Best Picture winner at the festival.
Meanwhile, A24 is taking big bets on two of its most expensive movies yet: The Smashing Machine and Marty Supreme. With strong performances from Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson, and buzz surrounding Jesse Plemons’s role in Bugonia, it remains to be seen if these strategies will pay off.
The Venice festival also marks the return of Oscar darling box office hit The Brutalist with a new drama from Mona Fastvold and Brady Corbet. Additionally, Charli XCX is set to make her acting debut in multiple movies, including 100 Nights of Hero.
However, not everyone is optimistic about this year’s festival, with some labeling it as a weak year due to poor programming choices. Nevertheless, the festival offers an opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their work and gain momentum heading into awards season.
Key questions surrounding this year’s Venice Film Festival include: Can Netflix replicate its success from previous years? Will A24’s big bets pay off? And will The Brutalist team be able to replicate last year’s critical hit?
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/08/venice-film-festival-preview-questions-netflix-a24-1236498682