Venice Film Festival’s 2025 Highlights Continue
- Nada Armanious
- Lifestyle
The 2025 Venice Film Festival magic is still going strong since its dazzling opening night on August 27. Here’s your insider’s breakdown of everything that’s gone down so far at the 82nd edition. Ready to dive into the premieres? Let’s go.
The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, had audiences reaching for tissues, earning an emotional 15-minute standing ovation in celebration of Johnson’s heartfelt performance. Frankenstein, directed by Guillermo del Toro and starring Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, and Mia Goth, wasn’t far behind, receiving its own 13-minute ovation and plenty of critical buzz.
Other highlights lighting up Lido include A House of Dynamite with Idris Elba, After the Hunt starring Julia Roberts, No Other Choice by Park Chan-wook, Jay Kelly with George Clooney, Bugonia starring Emma Stone, the deeply moving The Voice of Hind Rajab, the evocative documentary Broken English, and Paolo Sorrentino’s opening film, La Grazia. Some titles have been showered with praise, while others sparked debate, keeping the festival energy alive and buzzing.
And of course, with names like these, the red carpet brought nothing short of pure glamour. Julia Roberts stunned in a custom navy Atelier Versace gown, dripping in over 100 carats of Chopard diamonds and sapphires on August 29for her big premiere. Amanda Seyfried turned heads at the The Testament of Ann Lee screening, glowing in a navy Prada gown crowned with a bold vermillion bow. Idris and Sabrina Elba made a grand boat entrance, while Seth Rogen and Emily Blunt were spotted throughout.