For the 7th year in a row, I’ve completed my personal mission of seeing all the films in the Midnight Section of the Sundance Film Festival. This section of the competition highlights the films that defy categorization. Whether it’s a scary horror film that keeps you up at night or a knee-slapping comedy that is capable of making you laugh out loudly, I can never get enough of the creative works I get to witness in this category.

This year, the Midnight section looked quite promising. From films about sexy aliens and tackling ridiculous beauty standards, to a beautiful exploration of mental health and human connection. Let’s just say I was not disappointed. Well… totally. So, without further ado, here is my ranking of the Midnight section films from the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

7) Didn’t Die | Director: Meera Menon

Sundance Synopsis: A podcast host desperately clings to an ever-shrinking audience in the zombie apocalypse.

Review: “It’s not a perfect zombie apocalypse film, but there’s something here for those wishing to see originality brought back into the genre. And if you’re a fan of George Romero’s early work, you may feel the homage in Menon’s effort. Didn’t Die is not without its flaws, but at least there’s genuineness here about what connects us to each other during a crisis.” Full review here.

6) Opus | Director: Mark Anthony Green

Sundance Synopsis: A young writer is invited to the remote compound of a legendary pop star who mysteriously disappeared 30 years ago. Surrounded by the star’s cult of sycophants and intoxicated journalists, she finds herself in the middle of his twisted plan.

Review: I’m sad to say it, but Opus is a mediocre horror film. Not only is it average, but we’ve all seen this concept before–and recently might I add–in films like Blink Twice (2024), where a group of people journey to a secluded location to spend time with a big celebrity. Never meet your idols, right? They just might turn out to be your worst nightmare. Someone should have told the filmmakers behind this lackluster feature to give us a lot more to keep our attention. Because the only thing holding Opus together is Ayo Edebiri, who puts on a great final-girl performance.

5) Rabbit Trap | Director: Bryn Chainey

Sundance Synopsis: When a musician and her husband move to a remote house in Wales, the music they make disturbs local ancient folk magic, bringing a nameless child to their door who is intent on infiltrating their lives.

Review: “Supported by a hypnotic score and sound design, Rabbit Trap is both haunting and sensual by the way it intersects human relationships with nature. One could almost say that the film’s strength lies completely in the hands of Lucrecia Dalt and sound designer Graham Reznick. However, Patel and McEwen are wonderful navigating the growing dynamics between their relationship and Croot’s mysterious character. So, even if you’re not totally behind Chainey’s vision here, his intimate set-up and creativity provides a fascinating watch.” Full review here.

4) Dead Lover | Director Grace Glowicki

Sundance Synopsis: A lonely gravedigger who stinks of corpses finally meets her dream man, but their whirlwind affair is cut short when he tragically drowns at sea. Grief-stricken, she goes to morbid lengths to resurrect him through madcap scientific experiments, resulting in grave consequences and unlikely love.

Review: “When it comes to delivering a film of this nature, it’s almost a requirement to make it as memorable as possible. One of the ways Glowicki kept up the entertainment is through her dialogue. While most of the jokes are hit or miss (depending on your humor style), it’s guaranteed to leave a lasting impression one way or another. Lines like “I want to pick up a piece of your poo and eat it like a banana” to intently poke fun at the crazed passion from Lover certainly get the job done. This isn’t a film to take too seriously, but there’s no crime in having tons of fun with it along the way.” Full review here.

3) Touch Me | Director: Addison Heimann

Sundance Synopsis: Two codependent best friends become addicted to the heroin-like touch of an alien narcissist who may or may not be trying to take over the world.

Review: “On the surface, Touch Me may seem like it’s solely hyper focused on its outlandish hip-hop dancing alien and creative sexual sequences. But it’s more than that. It offers a unique perspective on addiction in a way that makes us reflect on untreated trauma and hurt. Heimann’s script enables every member of this cast to truly have their moments to shine, which is not easy to do. Yet, they do it gracefully and build up a chemistry that is rock-solid fun.” This is what the Midnight Section is all about folks! Full review here.

2) Together | Director: Michael Shanks

Sundance Synopsis: With a move to the countryside already testing the limits of a couple’s relationship, a supernatural encounter begins an extreme transformation of their love, their lives, and their flesh.

Review: “For a directorial debut, Shanks hits it out of the park with his delightfully squirm-worthy horror comedy. In addition to being a great body horror comedy, the film excels at conveying the dangers of codependence and reliance on one party in a relationship. The film is elevated by Brie and Franco’s pitch-perfect portrayals. Their clever onscreen performances mesh well in a way that demands your attention, even when you want to desperately look away. And even though the explanations as to why chaos ensues throughout Together are lacking, it’s easy to forgive when the entertainment is just right.” Full review here.

1) The Ugly Stepsister | Director: Emilie Blichfeldt

Sundance Synopsis: In a fairy-tale kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, Elvira battles to compete with her incredibly beautiful stepsister, and she will go to any length to catch the prince’s eye.

Review: “If Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance aimed to dismantle ridiculous beauty standards, Emilie Blichfeldt’s The Ugly Stepsister is out for blood to rid us of misogynistic doctrines once and for all. ” This twisted take on the classic Disney fairytale, Cinderella, is what the Midnight section of Sundance is all about. The blood & gore, the acting, the cinematography, and set design–all these elements of The Ugly Stepsister make it #1 on my ranking list. Plus, this is some good, ‘ole fashion entertainment. What could be better? Full review here.