“Marty Supreme”
There has been plenty written already about the marketing strategy for “Marty Supreme.” Clearly, this is a film that star Timothée Chalamet is passionate about, and he has his own ideas for presenting it to audiences. However, no matter what you might think of Chalamet and his orange clothes’ contribution to the film, the trailer really gives audiences a clear idea of what to expect—yet another Safdie film with a world-class lead performance. 2025 is the year we saw what the Safdie Brothers can do in a solo capacity. Benny Safdie gave us “Smashing Machine,” which received mixed reviews and left audiences somewhat underwhelmed by its normalcy. Josh Safdie, on the other hand, has made a film that feels perfectly in line with what drew audiences to the brothers’ work over the years. The trailer for “Marty Supreme” goes by at a breakneck pace. It delivers a hint of the anxiety you might have felt in previous Safdie films, such as “Good Time” and “Uncut Gems.” And the cherry on top is the top-notch use of a pop song (“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears). “Marty Supreme” might very well be the Safdie film people have been waiting for this year.
“No Other Choice”
It’s always challenging to market an international film to English-speaking audiences. Do you only show scenes without dialogue? Do you utilize English title cards? The trailer for Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice” doesn’t just showcase subtitles; it fully embraces the off-kilter nature of the film. This trailer is most definitely the year’s best when it comes to an expertly edited piece. The edits and cuts in the trailer are entirely in sync with the music featured in the film. It’s almost as if the scenes were made especially for this trailer. The trailer for “No Other Choice” is also another excellent example of building tension, as you are teased with the descent of the film’s main character, culminating in a superb chainsaw cliffhanger. This is a trailer that should be held up as a perfect example of how to capture the attention of potential audiences successfully. It’s that good.
“Sentimental Value”
“Sentimental Value” is yet another homerun for filmmaker Joachim Trier, after earning universal praise for “The Worst Person in the World” back in 2021. However, it’s not a light film, as it deals with serious family drama. This wouldn’t typically be the type of movie that makes for an exciting trailer. However, the folks who crafted the trailer for “Sentimental Value” did a great job of keeping it simple while also tugging at the heartstrings. The trailer puts the performances front and center, a brilliant idea when you have actors like Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård. What truly sets this trailer apart from other dramatic trailers this year is the excellent use of an iconic song (“Ooh La La” by Faces). It’s a song that will immediately resonate with audiences and transport them to a sentimental state of mind. It’s wonderful.
“Superman”
There have been great trailers for “Superman” films in the past (perhaps topped by the teaser for Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel”), but the trailer for James Gunn’s “Superman” does something a bit different. The beginning of the trailer showcases a great scene from the film—a back-and-forth between Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) and Clark Kent/Superman (David Corenswet). This trailer is confident enough in the Superman brand that it doesn’t feel the need to immediately jump into epic action. It is focused on the humanity of the character. Sure, you get the action in the last half of the trailer. They have to sell a “Superman” movie somehow, right? However, this trailer is a great introduction to what Gunn has in mind, not only for his version of Superman but also for the newly rebooted DCU as a whole. And you can’t talk about this trailer without mentioning the great music, giving us a hint at the score for the film.
“Thunderbolts*”
Over the past several years, it’s been pretty easy to beat up on Marvel Studios and the MCU. The films have (largely) been fairly bland, with very few bright spots. The marketing seems to be on cruise control, hoping the MCU brand is enough to generate big box office numbers. You even have folks like Martin Scorsese saying that Marvel Studios doesn’t actually produce “cinema.” That’s where the Absolute Cinema trailer for “Thunderbolts*” comes in. This trailer pokes fun at the criticism the MCU has received over the years by showcasing the fact that there are actual auteurs working on the film. Films and TV shows like “Hereditary,” “Midsommar,” “A Different Man,” and “Beef” are all name-dropped in the trailer. It’s ideally suited for a film like “Thunderbolts*,” which actually feels different than MCU films of the past. In a world with cookie-cutter trailers for superhero films, the Absolute Cinema trailer is not only different but it’s fun and cheeky in a way we don’t typically see from Marvel Studios. Let’s hope for more of this in the future.
“Weapons”
“Weapons” is a film with a great elevator pitch. Once you hear it, the premise is immediately captivating and full of intrigue. The trailer not only presents this pitch, but it also does so with a young girl narrating the whole thing. Yes, it’s just narration from the film itself, but it works perfectly in the context of a trailer. You can’t help but wonder what happened to those children in the classroom. Like the parents in the film, you’ll also question the teacher and wonder what is wrong with her. And by the end, when the quick montage of out-of-context imagery ends, you’ll be the first in line to see the film. Did it work? The proof is in the pudding, so to speak, as “Weapons” is one of the best horror box office hits of 2025 and is also in the awards season discussion—an excellent trailer for a fun mystery horror film.
