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Feature: Our critics’ standout films from the 50th Toronto International Film Festival
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Sep 19, 2025
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Feature: Our critics’ standout films from the 50th Toronto International Film Festival

Claudia Puig and Peter Rainer join Larry Mantle to discuss standout films from the Toronto International Film Festival.

Two people standing in the forest
Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal in Hamnet
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Universal Pictures
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Universal Pictures
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Our critics’ standout films from the 50th Toronto International Film Festival

“Hamnet,” Chloé Zhao’s drama about William Shakespeare’s marriage and the death of their 11-year-old son, won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, putting it on an enviable track to Academy Awards contention. This might’ve been the biggest headline for the festival, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. Joining us this morning to help round up the festivities is Claudia Puig, film critic for LAist and program director for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and Peter Rainer, film critic for LAist and the Christian Science Monitor.

Critics
Film Critic, FilmWeek
Film Critic, FilmWeek
Film Critic, FilmWeek
Film Critic, FilmWeek
Film Critic, FilmWeek
Film Critic, FilmWeek
Film Critic, FilmWeek
Film Critic, FilmWeek
Film Critic, FilmWeek
Film Critic, FilmWeek
Credits
Host, AirTalk
Associate Producer, AirTalk & FilmWeek
Apprentice News Clerk, FilmWeek