As an obnoxious Trinity Film student, summer is not the time for hanging out with friends or going outside; it is the time to watch movies solely to leave witty reviews on Letterboxd for likes (validation). I spent practically every night these past four months curled up in front of the TV in my sister’s apartment. Most of what I watched was from an ever-growing list of films that I have been promised will “change my life” sandwiched between the occasional nostalgia rewatch and new releases. It would be impossible for me to give every film I watched this summer its due credit without exhausting your patience and the wordcount, so, in true Letterboxd fashion, here are my top four.
Sing Street (John Carney, 2016)
Shockingly, I had never heard of Sing Street until I moved to Dublin. The film follows Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), a young boy with a passion for music who faces struggles at home and in school. Through a band that he starts with friends, he finds community and a small but meaningful place for himself. As a coming-of-age story and a musical, this was right up my alley. I loved almost everything about this film, a standout being the way Conor’s passions were taken seriously. Teenagers are so often portrayed as naive or silly, frequently having their aspirations pushed aside. Conor realistically experiences this, but still continues to dream big, forcing his passions to be impossible to ignore. His belief in himself and in his friends is regarded as the only possible truth, making their success feel inevitable. As someone who is often told that she has “unrealistic” ambitions, I feel Conor truly reflected my frustrations with those that demean the things I want to achieve. This film filled me with hope as though it was speaking directly to me, and saying that with enough courage, hard work, and confidence, anyone can become exactly who they want to be.
2001: A Space Odyssey (Stanley Kubrick, 1968)
I swore I would never watch 2001: A Space Odyssey thanks to its pretentious reputation and overhyped status within film circles. The film is about a group of astronauts sent on a mysterious mission that begins to go awry when their computer system goes rogue. When my sister suggested we go see it, my first instinct was “no way”. But then she told me where it was playing: an outdoor amphitheater way up in the mountains where you actually feel like you’re in outer space. How could I say no to that? As we were watching, a full moon rose over the screen, making the experience truly immersive. Venue aside, I could not have been more wrong about this movie. Its exploration of the relationship between humanity and technology feels especially relevant in today’s AI-dependent world, and I found myself absorbed in its carefully crafted sense of dread. I now understand why everyone who loves this film was insistent I give it a chance.
Little Miss Sunshine (Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, 2006)
Little Miss Sunshine has always held a special place in my heart, and is part of the reason why I am so passionate about screenwriting. It surrounds a quirky family, not unlike my own, who go on a roadtrip in an attempt to help their youngest daughter win a beauty pageant. This film hits all the right beats even several rewatches later; it is hilarious, tragic, and flows with such ease. The best part is its sincerity. Each of the actors approach their role from a place of truth, portraying their characters’ emotions, struggles, and flaws as if they were their own. Every time I (re)watch this film, I am surprised by how inherently lovable everyone is, despite their abrasive and annoying qualities. I root for them because they feel like a real, dysfunctional family. Little Miss Sunshine never fails to make me laugh, cry, and leave me feeling just a little lighter and more hopeful than I did before.
Weapons (Zach Cregger, 2025)
Weapons was my most anticipated film of the summer. I had seen trailers for it in April and was fascinated by the concept: a classroom of children getting out of their beds and running away into the night, never to be seen again. The film did not disappoint. Weapons perfectly executes the building of tension, which left me filled with fearful anticipation of something popping out at me at any given moment. When those moments came, the jumpscares were never what I had expected, and I was left shielding my eyes with my hands. There is also some humour in the film, which creates reassurance, however short-lived. Many times during the screening, I heard people screaming out aloud and whispering pleas through clenched teeth. There was a real sense of community in the theatre as fifty of us simultaneously jumped out of their seats. When I left, I found myself looking over my shoulder every step of the way. Despite all of this, the satisfyingly gruesome ending made the last two hours of absolute terror entirely worth it.
And with that, my summer came to a close. At least now, I have returned to college with the satisfaction of having opened my eyes to so many beautiful and fascinating new worlds, characters, and stories. I can’t wait for all my college friends to return to Dublin and log back into their Letterboxd accounts (and like my reviews). Here’s to hoping I beat my hours-watched next summer!
