Listen & Learn’s Film Awards: The Best Foreign-Language Movies of 2025

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This cinematic celebration isn’t limited to films from abroad. Many American productions now boldly incorporate foreign languages, enriching their narratives and introducing audiences to linguistic diversity. From the hugely popular Emilia Perez to Nosferatu, filmmakers are pushing boundaries and taking creative risks. In this blog, we’ll explore 2025’s most captivating foreign-language movies and why every language enthusiast should watch them.

Nosferatu (English, Dacian, Latin, Romanian, Romani, Russian)

In Nosferatu, Robert Eggers reimagines the classic tale of Count Orlok, the demonic vampire whose thirst for power and blood threatens an entire town. Set in 19th-century Germany, the story follows Thomas Hutter as he journeys to the mysterious Count Orlok’s castle to finalize a real estate deal. As the vampire’s dark influence spreads, Thomas’s wife Ellen takes center stage, making a courageous sacrifice to protect her loved ones and her community from a plague of death and despair. This striking adaptation is a strong contender among the best foreign-language movies of the year.

Review

Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu is much more than a remake of the 1922 silent classic—it’s a lush, reimagined exploration of gothic horror. Every detail of the film speaks to Eggers’ passion for authenticity and storytelling. Entire towns were constructed for the production, providing a tactile realism that pulls viewers into its haunting world. While the original focused on the silent terror of Count Orlok, this version gives Ellen Hutter, played by Lily-Rose Depp, a more active role. Ellen isn’t merely a passive victim but a woman grappling with agency and sacrifice, adding emotional depth and complexity.

Beyond this, the film features an impressive range of languages, including Romanian, Romani, and Latin. Even the ship’s crew dialogue harkens back to historical accuracy, as the sailors speak Russian—a nod to the original source material. These linguistic layers elevate Nosferatu from a gothic retelling to a profound foreign-language film nominee, offering an auditory journey through time and cultures.

For language enthusiasts, the film’s ambitious embrace of linguistic diversity is a marvel. Hearing ancient tongues reconstructed for the screen, alongside vibrant living languages, offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness the interplay of language and storytelling in a major American production.

Emilia Pérez (Spanish, English)

Emilia Pérez is a genre-defying musical that combines elements of telenovela, opera, and cartel drama. Directed by Jacques Audiard, the film follows the journey of Juan “Manitas” Del Monte, a feared Mexican drug lord who undergoes gender-affirming surgery to become Emilia Pérez, the person she always longed to be. The story explores themes of transformation, redemption, and identity as Emilia reinvents herself as a fierce advocate for victims of cartel violence.

Alongside her is Rita (Zoe Saldaña), an overworked defense lawyer nearing 40, and Jessi (Selena Gomez), Emilia’s estranged wife, who starts a new life in Switzerland with their children. The film intertwines emotional depth with vibrant musical sequences, making it a standout in contemporary cinema.

Review

At its core, Emilia Pérez is a celebration of transformation, not only for its characters but also for its cast and creators. Spanish trans actress Karla Sofía Gascón delivers a remarkable dual performance as both Manitas and Emilia, bringing authenticity and nuance to the character’s evolution. Her personal journey as a transgender woman enriches the narrative, infusing it with lived experience. Gascón’s mastery of Mexican Spanish was vital for the role, and her commitment to perfecting the accent ensured her performance resonated with cultural authenticity.

While “Emilia Pérez” has been lauded for its innovative narrative and performances, it has faced criticism regarding the authenticity of its cultural representation and language use. A notable point of contention is the inconsistency in accents among the cast, particularly Selena Gomez’s portrayal of Jessi.

Gomez, who grew up speaking Spanish but lost much of her fluency, dedicated six months to relearning the language for this role. Despite her efforts, some critics felt her Spanish lacked the nuance of a native speaker. Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez described her performance as “indefensible,” suggesting that her limited proficiency affected the depth of her portrayal.

In summary, while “Emilia Pérez” offers a narrative of transformation and identity, it also brings to light the complexities of cultural representation and the varying perceptions of authenticity in performance.

The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Persian/Farsi)

The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a searing drama set against the backdrop of political unrest in Tehran. The story follows Iman, a lawyer-turned-investigating judge, whose life spirals out of control when his gun goes missing amidst rising protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini. As Iman’s paranoia deepens, his authoritarian tendencies fracture his family. His daughters, sympathetic to the protests, rebel against his rigid rules, while his wife is caught in the middle, torn between tradition and a yearning for freedom.

Review

Mohammad Rasoulof’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig is not just a remarkable Golden Globes foreign-language film nominee; it is a testament to the resilience of art in the face of censorship. Filmed clandestinely in Iran under the constant threat of surveillance, this deeply personal work examines the intersection of authoritarianism, patriarchy, and family dynamics. The film’s use of the Persian language enhances its cultural specificity, grounding the narrative in the lived realities of its characters while emphasizing the oppressive structures they navigate. Rasoulof’s attention to linguistic detail is evident in moments like Iman’s fiery exchanges with his daughters, which expose generational divides and highlight the tension between tradition and modernity.

Equally compelling is Rasoulof’s journey to bring the story to life. Facing an eight-year prison sentence for his activism, the director employed covert methods to complete the film. Rehearsals took place under the guise of social gatherings, and scenes were filmed with a skeleton crew using fake scripts to mislead authorities. Rasoulof himself never appeared on set, directing from a distance to avoid detection. These daring efforts underscore the profound risks involved in creating art under an authoritarian regime.

Culturally, The Seed of the Sacred Fig resonates deeply with the ongoing “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement in Iran. By focusing on Iman’s inability to control his family, Rasoulof critiques the structures that underpin both domestic and societal hierarchies. The Seed of the Sacred Fig stands as a bold declaration of the enduring power of cinema as a medium for truth and resistance, making it an essential watch for language enthusiasts and lovers of impactful storytelling.

I’m Still Here (Portuguese)

I’m Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui) tells the harrowing true story of Eunice Paiva, a Brazilian mother and activist who faces unimaginable loss under the military dictatorship of the 1970s. When her husband, Rubens Paiva, a former congressman and dissident, is abducted by regime agents and never seen again, Eunice embarks on a decades-long fight for justice. The film spans years, from the family’s initial hope for Rubens’ return to Eunice’s later years grappling with Alzheimer’s while surrounded by her children and grandchildren. This moving drama explores resistance, memory, and the enduring power of hope, earning its place among the best foreign-language movies of 2024.

Review

Directed by Walter Salles, I’m Still Here brings the Paiva family’s story to life with breathtaking depth. Fernanda Torres delivers a stunning performance as Eunice, capturing her transformation from a loving wife to a fearless activist willing to confront a brutal regime. The film’s historical backdrop boasts vivid detail, from the vibrant family life in 1970s Rio de Janeiro to the tense and oppressive atmosphere of a nation under dictatorship.

The linguistic elements add another layer of power to the story. The film is performed entirely in Portuguese, allowing the dialogue to resonate with authenticity. This linguistic fidelity is one of many reasons I’m Still Here stands as a strong foreign-language film nominee this award season.

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Great foreign-language movies like these are incredible companions for language enthusiasts. They immerse you in the sounds, rhythms, and emotions of a language while offering a deeper connection to the culture behind it. To truly embrace these languages, why not take a step further and learn with Listen & Learn? One-to-one lessons with a native teacher give you personalized attention, helping you progress faster and build confidence. Contact Listen & Learn today for a free trial lesson and start your journey into the fascinating world of languages!