Entertainment (Commonwealth Union)
Bold visions, international talent, and UK-rooted storytelling pushing genre boundaries abound in this year’s Cannes Film Market. From futuristic thrillers to ghostly comedies, here are 10 standout projects attracting global buyer buzz.
- The End Of It – Sci-Fi With Soul
What if death became optional? That’s the provocative question behind The End Of It, a sci-fi thriller from Maria Martinez Bayona starring Rebecca Hall, Gael Garcia Bernal, Noomi Rapace, and Beanie Feldstein. Set in a near-future society that has cured aging, the film explores the psychological costs of immortality. UK outfit Elation Pictures co-produces alongside Spain’s Mediapro Studio and Norway’s Eye Eye Pictures. - Singular – When AI Gets Personal
In Alberto Gastesi’s artificial intelligence thriller, a university professor becomes suspicious that her husband has created an android replica of their child. Patricia Lopez Arnaiz leads the eerie, cerebral cast. This Spanish-Finnish-UK co-production dives deep into the ethics of AI, identity, and grief. - Alma – Ghosts and Giggles
UK director Sally Potter teams up with Pamela Anderson and Dakota Fanning in Alma, a quirky comedy about a family haunted by the spirit of their mother after gathering to scatter her ashes. With strong backing from Sixteen Films and Adventure Pictures, the film blends existential themes with chaotic humor. - Strange Arrivals – Based on a True Abduction
Demi Moore and Colman Domingo headline this gripping drama about the real-life 1961 alien abduction of Betty and Barney Hill. Written by Jane Anderson and directed by Oscar winner Roger Ross Williams, the film is backed by See-Saw Films and sold by Rocket Science. - Zero Protocol – Zombies in the Big Apple
Rebecca Hall takes the lead once again in Zero Protocol, a fast-paced zombie action film from Debs Paterson. Produced by Andy Serkis’s Imaginarium, the movie follows an NYPD commissioner racing through a citywide outbreak while her daughter is trapped in the chaos. - Lady – Laughs and Lies in the Aristocracy
Sian Clifford (Fleabag) stars in this sharp-edged comedy about a lonely, eccentric noblewoman who hires a broke filmmaker to document her glamorous life—except most of it is faked. Directed by Samuel Abrahams, Lady mixes mockumentary and magical realism to lampoon influencer culture and inherited privilege. - Getting Rid of Matthew – Love, Lies, and New York
Luke Wilson, Heather Graham, and Lucy Hale headline this romantic comedy based on Jane Fallon’s bestselling novel. A woman lands her dream job in New York, only to be tangled in a messy romantic fallout. Costa Rican director Hernan Jimenez helms the international shoot, which is set in Canada and the US. - The Creep – A Cult Classic Reborn
Two decades after terrifying viewers with Creep, UK horror director Christopher Smith returns with a full-blown reboot. The Creep sees Jasmine Jobson and rapper Aitch venture into a chilling new version of London’s Underground nightmare. Produced by original team Dan Films and Newscope Films. - Interbeing – Mindfulness on Screen
Benedict Cumberbatch narrates this spiritual documentary about Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh, who brought the practice of mindfulness to the West. Directed by Max Pugh, Interbeing offers meditative insight into the intersection of peace, activism, and personal transformation. - Irvine Welsh: Reality Is Not Enough – Rebel Voices
Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh gets the documentary treatment in this punk-infused portrait by Paul Sng. Featuring readings by Liam Neeson, Nick Cave, and Ruth Negga, the film explores Welsh’s legacy through themes of class, creativity, and addiction.
These 10 films showcase the vibrant range of UK talent making waves in Cannes—from the speculative and surreal to the hilarious and haunting. Whether it’s reanimated horror or reflections on reality, the 2025 slate proves the UK remains a creative powerhouse in global cinema.
