The New Family Tree; Love These New Films For 2025

Do you remember asking about your family tree as a child? Maybe you asked another family member, or you had a family member who talked about the subject. And then there is the family you create for yourself; families in less conventional forms. Your family can be whoever you want to be. In many ways, our media has explored this unit in its many diverse forms. Why not explore some new film releases for 2025 in The New Family Tree: Love These New Films For 2025.

Perhaps your family was a little less traditional than some. Maybe you have one parent instead of two, step-parents and siblings, two mothers, two fathers, family friends who became like parental figures, or even friends who made up your own personal tribe. Our families can be whatever we choose to make them up as.

No matter the components, family trees are always changing and sprouting new branches – maybe you’ve even planted a cutting of your own.

We see the modern family portrayed in many creative outlets, from a barrage of family Instagram accounts to a sitcom literally called “Modern Family.” From historical artworks to songs, families in all their forms are expressed through many creative mediums.

Films, too, can show families in the modern sense and illustrate connection and emotional bonds. A number of films released in 2025 explore different ideas of family – from estranged brothers to piano tutors, from art co-thieves to a little grey cat.

New Films 2025 – Mothers and Daughters

Gaby Delal’s upcoming film “Park Avenue” centres on an estranged mother-daughter duo, played by Fiona Shaw and Katherine Waterson, as they sort through their differences and pasts against New York’s Upper East Side.

The film, which played at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and Dublin International Film Festival this year, will be in theatres from November 14. A clear depiction of family dynamics, “Park Avenue” explores womanhood, motherhood and the experience of ageing. 

New Films 2025 – Brothers

Similarly, Brendan Canty’s Sept. 5 release “Christy” follows the relationship of estranged brothers Christy and Shane. When Christy is thrown out of his foster home, he comes to live with Shane in Cork, building connections with the community and reconnecting with other family members.

But Shane wants better for his brother – more than he thinks Christy will get from his working-class community and “more corrupting” family member. While Christy tries to find himself amid hardship, Shane faces finding the balance between connecting with his younger brother and protecting him from the world.

Neurodivergent Insights

Daniel Persitz’s short film “Key of Genius” follows the true story of a blind, autistic musical savant and the Queen of England’s nephew, Derek Paravicini.

The film is based on “In The Key of Genius,” a biography of Paravicini written by his mentor, professor and piano teacher Adam Ockelford.

Lauded for celebrating Paravicini’s neurodivergency and the power of mentorship (Ockelford ended up being for Paravicini a sort of found family), the film premiered at the Cleveland International Film Festival and has since garnered considerable festival and awards chatter.

Friendship Test

Norwegian writer-director Hedda Mjøen’s short film “MERCY” (Norwegian title “Nåde,” which literally translates to “grace”) follows a darker test of friendship.

Guro runs into her former best friend Petter, and then finds out he has been accused of rape. Guro suddenly faces the dilemma of whether or not to pick a side in his case.

The piece asks the question of how much loyalty we owe to our friends and found family, and how trust and accusation interact. Do branches on our family trees ever really die? And how much are they able to withstand before they snap?

Greek Mythology

Supernatural thriller “The Drowned,” directed and written by Samuel Clemens, follows another found family premise. When three men arrive at a safehouse after an art heist, they realise their fourth team member is missing.

What follows is a horror-esque thriller, with nods to Greek mythology and the constant question of whether one of “our own” could commit the unspeakable – and what we’d do in response. The film will come out as a limited release on October 7.

Blonde

In Mahnoor Euceph’s “11:11,” 16-year-old Pakistani American Noori makes a wish (at 11:11) to be her crush’s type and is then transformed into a white, blonde, blue-eyed girl.

Suddenly, Noori must undo the wish before losing herself entirely. The comedic short film is quick and playful, but also holds a profound exploration of identity and acceptance.

The film was selected for Cate Blanchett, Coco Francini, and Dr. Stacy L. Smith’s Proof of Concept Accelerator and premiered at the HollyShorts Film Festival in August this year.

Traditional

In the documentary realm, Dave Brewis’ “Gatherings” is a six-part series exploring traditions all over Britain. These span from South Queensferry’s Burry Man to East Sussex’s yearly bonfire to Staffordshire’s horn dance.

Brewis made a point to have those who partake in the traditions tell their stories, as opposed to an outside presenter. Families often build on the blocks (or, to continue the metaphor, roots) of traditions, new and old.

Miners’ Strike

Another documentary piece, Daniel Draper’s “Iron Ladies,” chronicles the stories of the women who became the backbone of the 1984-85 Miners’ Strike, told in their own words.

The media overlooked women’s stories in history, and this was certainly the case for the British women who we part of this strike.

Told in their own words, the story highlights the contributions these women made to both the strike and to the political role of working-class women today.

Furry Friends

Lastly, Eva Victor’s A24 dark comedy “SORRY, BABY” examines what the people in our lives owe to us, and what they do not. When Agnes, played by writer-director Victor, goes through a traumatic event, she and her friends enter a dark and confusing time.

Years later, when Agnes is living alone with a cat and her friend Lydie has a baby, Agnes apologises to the baby (hence the film’s title) for the world in which she’ll be brought up, but also shares her hopes that things will turn out okay.

Family is not stagnant; It’s flexible, versatile, and resilient, and sometimes it’s hard to believe we can fit such a large concept into one little word. These films, along with much of pop culture, explore that ever-changing concept of family and those who shape our lives. 

Credits:

“Park Avenue” – Gaby Delal, “Christy” – Brendan Canty, “Key of Genius” – Daniel Persitz”, “Mercy” – Hedda Mjøen, “The Drowned” – Samuel Clemens, “11:11” – Mahnoor Euceph, “Gatherings” – Dave Brewis, “Iron Ladies” – Daniel Draper, “SORRY, BABY” – Eva Victor

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