Welcome to this month’s episode of Point of View! In Episode 15, host Tom Augustine takes a look back at the best films of 2025, sharing his top picks and some of the standout moments that made this year so memorable in cinema. From unexpected surprises to crowd favorites, we’ll highlight the must-sees for the holiday season and give you plenty of ideas for Christmas and New Year viewing.

A huge thank you to everyone who’s been part of Point of View this year — your support and feedback make these conversations possible. So grab your headphones, get comfy, and join us as we celebrate the best of 2025 on screen.

Happy Holidays, and let’s dive in!

What to Expect

• Best of 2025
• Highlights and notable guesses from this year
• Must-sees for Christmas and New Year, plus what’s coming in 2026

View Screen – Best Xmas/New Year Films

December:

• Notes from a Fish
• Eternity
• Five Nights at Freddy's 2
• Nuremberg
• Twiggy
• Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair
• Ella McCay
• Atropia
• Avatar: Fire and Ash
• History of Sound
• Father Mother Sister Brother
• The Housemaid
• Anaconda
• Not Only Fred Dagg
• Rental Family

January:

• Song Sung Blue
• Christy
• Primate
• Sentimental Value
• 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
• Hamnet
• Is This Thing On?
• Marty Supreme
• Mercy
• Nouvelle Vague
• The Secret Agent
• Return to Silent Hill
• H is for Hawk
• It Was Just an Accident
• Send Help
• The Choral

Best of Streaming – Coming Out

December:

• Oh, What Fun
• Jay Kelly
• Predators
• Fallout S2
• Stranger Things Finale

January:

• The RIP
• Shrinking S3
• Bridgerton S4

Stay Connected

Don’t miss next month’s updates—follow us on social media:

• Facebook: @viewmagnz
• Instagram: @viewmagnz
• Website: www.viewmag.co.nz

Speakers:

• Tom Augustine – @thaugustine

Stay tuned for more exciting episodes!

This month on Point of View, host Tom Augustine sits down with acclaimed New Zealand filmmaker Rob Sarkies to discuss his powerful new film Pike River currently the #1 film in New Zealand.

Based on the tragic 2010 Pike River Mine disaster, the film follows the years-long fight for justice led by Anna Osborne (Melanie Lynskey) and Sonya Rockhouse (Robyn Malcolm), whose husband and son were among the 29 men who lost their lives.

🎬 Pike River is now showing in cinemas across New Zealand.

What to Expect

• Hear Rob Sarkies (Director) share his creative journey bringing Pike River to life • Discover how research, preparation, and emotional storytelling shaped the film • Learn why being grounded in place and connected to real people makes a story resonate. “You start with a feeling,”

View on Screen in November

TERROR-FI Fest:

• Bugonia • Sisu 2 • Primate • Keeper • Predator: Badlands • The Running Man • We Bury the Dead • Deathgasm 2 • Nirvanna the Band: The Show – The Movie • Legend of Ochi • Familiar Touch • Now You See Me Now You Don’t • Wicked For Good • Die My Love • Nuremberg • The Golden Spurtle • Zootopia 2 • Train Dreams • Jay Kelly

Best of Streaming Coming Out

• Frankenstein • Pluribus • Left-Handed Girl • Nouvelle Vague • Stranger Things 5

View Box:

• Rialto Channel Presents – The Surfer, Premieres November 8, 8:30pm
• The Intrepid British & Irish Film Festival 2025 is now underway across New Zealand, running from 29 October to 19 November. It brings together a curated selection of standout films from the UK and Ireland, with screenings in cities nationwide and a chance to see acclaimed premieres and genre‑highlights on the big screen.

Stay Connected

Don’t miss next month’s updates—follow us on social media:

• Facebook: @viewmagnz
• Instagram: @viewmagnz
• Website: www.viewmag.co.nz

Speakers

• Tom Augustine - @thaugustine
• Rob Sarkies - @Pikeriverfilm

Stay tuned for more exciting episodes!

This month on Point of View, host Tom Augustine sits down with Samuel Van Grinsven and Dacre Montgomery to discuss their new film Went Up the Hill — a psychological drama inspired by Van Grinsven’s memories of childhood in New Zealand’s South Island.

An intimate, modern ghost story, Went Up the Hill explores the extremities of grief and the haunting struggle of letting go.

When Jack travels to remote New Zealand to attend the funeral of his estranged mother, he encounters her grieving widow, Jill. But his mother’s spirit soon returns — inhabiting each of their bodies to speak to the other — sparking a life-threatening nocturnal dance of grief, love, and possession.

🎬 Went Up the Hill is now showing in cinemas across New Zealand.

What to Expect

• Samuel Van Grinsven on his creative journey bringing Went Up the Hill to life
• A spooky, emotional drama set in New Zealand
• Dacre Montgomery on stepping into complex, emotionally charged roles
• Exploring grief, love, and the supernatural through a modern lens

View on Screen in Octuber

• The Smashing Machine
• Shelby Oaks
• Him
• Avatar: The Way of Water (Re-release)
• Went Up the Hill
• Tron Ares
• Eleanor the Great
• A House of Dynamite
• Ballad of a Small Player
• Twinless
• Roofman
• The Black Phone 2
• Regretting You
• Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
• Pike River
• Begonia

Best of Streaming Coming Out

• Chap Power
• Play Dirty
• The Lost Bus
• Steve
• Monster: The Ed Gein Story
• John Candy: I Like Me
• Hedda

View Box:

Rialto Channel Exclusive Series – Families Like Ours

Every Tuesday at 8:30 PM | Episode 1 – Premieres October 21

Stay Connected

Don’t miss next month’s updates—follow us on social media:

• Facebook: @viewmagnz
• Instagram: @viewmagnz
• Website: www.viewmag.co.nz

Speakers

• Tom Augustine - @thaugustine
• Samuel Van Grinsven - @svgrinsven

• Dacre Montgomery - @dacremontgomery

Stay tuned for more exciting episodes!