Bonus Track (2025)- Well This Was A Pleasant Surprise

One of the best things about having the ear of any audience at all is being able to talk about the little things I love, that perhaps would go unrecognized. it is why I unabashedly just put out my list of the Best Films of 2024, and my top spot isn’t even nominated for an Oscar. I went with Ghostlight, because it impacted me. Bobby Cannavale (Ezra) was my pick for Best Actor, and he didn’t come close to a list. I still had many choices that aligned, because a good movie is a good movie, but with 450+ titles last year, i just went my own way.

Now, in mid-February, when I’m feeling just absolutely lost due to a political climate that in less than a month has made me unable to securely believe in my future, and wonder if the continued barrage on disabled and LGBTQ Americans will mean I won’t have one, I’m finding it harder and harder to type anymore. I have a backlog of titles. I mentioned to one of my critics groups, “is anyone else having a hard time writing right now?” To be met with the warmest understanding. A lot of people are finding it challenging, but also… it is a great opportunity to stand up for a queer coming of age movie with no real footprint.

Immediately, i got the feeling that Bonus Track was the first film from 2025 that I saw that mattered. The first movie that stands a chance at a Best Of list. the biggest problem is that it charmed a blind film critic, albeit, gay, but still blind. So, the film not having audio description is still a barrier. In a day and age where companies are running from DEI as fast as they can, or being sued for not doing so, my future looks so not inclusive. that leans into my accessibility. if I don’t keep that at the front, it could disappear altogether. If I’m here, that has to be the top thing.

but, this movie is in the running to be my favorite film of this year that I wish had audio description. Based on a short story by Josh O’Connor, this movie finds two young men who start out as friends, then decide to win a talent show together, which gives them more time to themselves, where they realize what they really feel. It charmed me the whole way through, as much as any film could without audio description. The acting was excellent. I loved seeing Jack Davenport getting some work in a supporting role. I might be his only fan, but I am and always will be a fan of Smash.

If you are sighted and don’t require audio description, while I’ve only seen a handful of 2025 titles, this is the best one I’ve seen. The problem is that it doesn’t have audio description, so actually putting a firm grade is a no go. I’ve had experiences watching films a second time where my initial thoughts wildly changed. Last year, my first thoughts for We live In Time and Wicked Little Letters were both way below. After the audio description, they gained a full letter grade. Meanwhile, Bird was something that I was blissfully unaware of how many choices I would end up not liking, and that slid down. Honestly, even night Bitch, while it was closer to my guess, still dropped half a letter grade.

I feel good about Bonus Track, but I have no firm idea. but with so little things seen, I’d be shocked if of the 13 films I’ve seen from 2025, this wasn’t technically the best.

Unwatchable Due To Lack of Audio Description

Projected Grade Range: B+, A-, A