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!

Join Tom Augustine in conversation with Michelle Walshe, co-director of the documentary PRIME MINISTER, as they dive into the making of the film that follows Rt Hon Dame Jacinda Ardern over seven years—from her meteoric rise to Prime Minister to her historic leadership and sudden resignation.

Get an inside look at the challenges of leading a nation through crises, balancing motherhood, and redefining global expectations of politics.

✨ Listen to this exclusive capsule interview – link in bio!

#PrimeMinister #JacindaArdern #MichelleWalshe #TomAugustine #CapsuleInterview #Documentary #Politics #ViewMagazine #PointOfViewPodcast

This month on Point of View, host Tom Augustine sits down with Gina Dellabarca.

Gina co-founded Show Me Shorts in 2006 and has been the driving force behind the festival ever since. She is an experienced marketing and communications professional as well as a film programmer. Gina also serves as Vice-Chair of the Board for the Short Film Conference – a global organization that promotes the status of short films and unites the international short film community.

Her background includes providing publicity for films, co-owning a cinema, and leading marketing for major attractions such as Stardome Observatory, Auckland Zoo, and Regional Facilities Auckland. In 2019, she was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to the film industry.

Show Me Shorts Turns 20! The fabulous Show Me Shorts Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a special programme.

From 7–27 October, audiences can enjoy 127 screenings and events at 40 cinemas and community venues across Aotearoa. The programme features 83 short films divided into 11 themed collections.

👉 Explore the full lineup: showmeshorts.co.nz

What to Expect

• Gina Dellabarca’s journey as co-founder and director of the Show Me Shorts Festival
• The 20th anniversary of Show Me Shorts
• A sneak peek at the Show Me Shorts Film Festival 2025

View on Screen in September

• Fight or Flight
• Life in One Chord
• Sorry Baby
• The Roses (Disney)
• Conjuring Last Rites
• Splitsville
• The Long Walk
• A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
• One Battle After Another
• Prime Minister

Best of Streaming Coming Out

• Pee Wee as Himself
• My Mom Jayne
• Highest 2 Lowest
• The Paper
• Task
• Only Murders in the Building
• Snack Shack
• Gen V
• The Morning Show
• Slow Horses

View Box: Winter melts into spring on Rialto Channel

Every Saturday in September at 8:30 PM

Premiere Date:

• Sing Sing- Premieres September 6, 8.30pm
• Cottontail - Premieres September 13, 8.30pm
• The Last Showgirl - Premieres September 20, 8.30pm
• Queer - Premieres September 27, 8.30pm

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
• Gina Dellabarca – @ginadellabarca

Stay tuned for more exciting episodes!

On the latest episode of Point of View, host Tom Augustine chats with Curtis Vowell (director) and Sophie Henderson (writer/star) of Workmates. Inspired by real-life experiences, this romantic dramedy celebrates the legendary theatre spaces of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Workmates premiered in New Zealand at The Civic on 1 August 2025 during the New Zealand International Film Festival.

What to Expect

• Curtis and Sophie’s creative journey and being part of NZIFF 2025

• Insights into Workmates (in cinemas August 2025)

View on Screen in August

• Weapons – 7 August 2025

• Freakier Friday – 7 August 2025

• Eddington – 21 August 2025

• The Thursday Murder Club – 22 August 2025 (cinemas), 28 August 2025 (Netflix)

• Nobody – 14 August 2025

• The Naked Gun – TBC

• The Shorunds – TBC

• Caught Stealing – TBC

• The Friend – TBC

• The Toxic Avenger – TBC

Tom’s Top 10 – NZIFF 2025

1. It Was Just an Accident

2. Trenque Lauque

3. NZ Shorts

4. The Mastermind

5. Reedland

6. The Secret Agent

7. Megallan

8. Predators

9. Blue Moon

10. Magic Farm

Best of Streaming – NZ Release Dates

• Chief of War – Apple TV+ – TBC

• King of the Hill – Hulu – TBC

• Wednesday S2 Part 1 – Netflix – 6 August 2025

• Wednesday S2 Part 2 – Netflix – 3 September 2025

• Alien: Earth – Disney+ – 13 August 2025

• The Thursday Murder Club – Netflix – 28 August 2025

View Box Highlights – Rialto Channel 39, Sky TV

• Godzilla Minus One – 23 August 2025, 8:30 PM

• Niel Hussey Interview

• Bax and Beyond – 21 August 2025

• The Great 90s Rewind – 28 August 2025

• The Emmys – 26 August 2025 (NZ broadcast details TBC)

Follow Us Facebook: @viewmagnz Instagram: @viewmagnz Website: www.viewmag.co.nz

Speakers:

• Tom Augustine – @thaugustine

• Sophie Henderson – @sophiekatehenderson

• Curtis Vowell – @curtis_vowell

Stay tuned for more exciting episodes!

This month On Point of View, Join host Tom Augustine in conversation with Edward Sampson — accomplished filmmaker and director of Devils on Horses (2025). With credits including The Story of Rugby and Turn of the Screw, Sampson discusses storytelling through film, historical memory, and the craft of documentary-making. Devils on Horses premiered at Doc Edge Festival 2025 and is now in cinemas around New Zealand.

What to Expect

• Edward Sampson’s journey • Insights into his latest film Devils on Horses (2025)

View on Screen in July

• Jurassic World: Rebirth – in cinemas from June 5 • Superman – in cinemas from July 10 • Smurfs – in cinemas from July 4 • Bride Hard – in cinemas from July 11 • Friendship – in cinemas from July 18 • I Know What You Did Last Summer – in cinemas from July 25 • Fantastic Four: First Steps – in cinemas from July 31 • When Fall is Coming – in cinemas from July 18 • Life of Chuck – in cinemas from July 25 • Together – in cinemas from July 11

Best of Streaming Coming Out • The Old Guard 2 – Netflix (from July 19) • The Sandman Season 2 – Netflix (from July 25) • Too Much – Prime Video (from July 12)

View Box

La Cocina – premieres July 26, 8:30 PM on Rialto Channel 39, Sky TV

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 • Edward Sampson – @edward.sampson.1974

Stay tuned for more exciting episodes!

This month on Point of View, Tom Augustine chats with acclaimed New Zealand filmmaker 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗸𝘂𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗮-𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 (Ngāti Porou), known for her powerful storytelling rooted in Māori culture.

In this episode, Kath shares insights into her latest film Kōkā — a moving story of healing, connection, and transformation. Kōkā follows Māori elder Hamo and local teen Jo, who form an unexpected bond on a road trip that confronts past wounds and unearths shared strength.

Kōkā is in cinemas now!

• 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗸𝘂𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗮-𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻's journey • Insights into her latest film Kōkā

• Mountainhead – NEON (from 1 June) • The Haka Party – AroVISION (from 1 June) • Echo Valley – Apple TV (13 June) • Love Me – NEON (25 June) • The Bear Season 4 – Disney+ (26 June) • Squid Game Season 3 – Netflix (27 June) • Stick – Apple TV (4 June) • We Are Liars – Prime Video (20 June) • Ironheat – Netflix (22 June)

• Materialists – 12 June • 28 Years Later – 19 June • Megan 2.0 – 26 June • Formula 1 – 26 June • Jurassic Park: Rebirth – 3 July • CCFC Presents: Diary of a Country Priest – 24 June • Ballerina – 5 June • Chuck Chuck Baby – 5 June • How to Train Your Dragon (Live Action) – 12 June • Dangerous Animals – 12 June • Elio – 19 June • Karate Kid: Legends – 26 June

The Embers – Exclusive French series on Rialto Channel Every Tuesday night in June at 8:30 PM

Don’t miss next month’s updates — follow us on social media: • Facebook: @viewmagnz • Instagram: @viewmagnz • Website: www.viewmag.co.nz

• Tom Augustine – @thaugustine • 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗸𝘂𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗮-𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 – @kathakuhatabrown

Stay tuned for more exciting episodes!