If you’ve ever trained with Peyton, you know he’s our resident film buff and history nerd — the guy who can break down a tracking shot, explain the real-world context behind a story, and still tell you which performance deserved more awards. Each year he dives deep into the movies that challenge him, move him, or linger in his thoughts long after the credits roll. For this issue, Peyton shares his top picks from 2020 through 2025, offering a thoughtful, engaging look at the films that left the biggest impression on him.
2020: The Father
(Dir: Florian Zeller) (Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Coleman, Rufus Sewell, Imogen Poots)
A tough film to watch, but one that is deeply impactful. Zeller puts you in the shoes of an elderly man struggling with dementia, and pulls no punches in showing just how disorienting, frustrating, and frightening it might be to live with such a condition. This is achieved with some incredibly fluid filmmaking and impressive editing that makes for a really mind-bending experience that helps you understand why Anthony would struggle to cope with his situation. All of this is paired with some incredible writing and performances to create a very cinematic and memorable experience. That doesn’t necessarily mean this film is a positive experience; in fact, I feel it is the opposite. However, it does stick with you and makes you think about things you otherwise probably wouldn’t.
2021: Nightmare Alley
(Dir: Guillermo Del Toro) (Starring: Bradley Cooper, Rooney Mara, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette)
Guillermo Del Toro’s dark noir thriller makes for a compelling and unpredictable ride that ends with awesome poetic justice. The film is filled with interesting and odd characters that feel well-written, with their motivations and desires affecting their action within the plot in such a satisfying way. The film explores some dark themes very well and digs into how reckless ambition and greed can lead someone to their downfall. Which was satisfying to watch as the main character in this is a real piece of work that Bradley Cooper brought to life brilliantly. The production is excellent, and the filmmakers brought the period to life brilliantly. All of this, paired with an incredibly engaging script and some stellar performances, made for a great film.
2022: Triangle of Sadness
(Dir: Ruben Östland) (Starring: Charlbi Dean, Harris Dickinson, Dolly De Leon, Woody Harrelson)
This film is hilarious on so many levels, and although it can be a bit slow, it makes for a very rewarding watch. The filmmakers explore so much about money and the differences between those serving and those being served in a very comical and nuanced way. I think the film opens with one of the most relatable and frustrating arguments dedicated to the screen. This acts as a perfect encapsulation of what makes the film so good. The nuanced and creative exploration of the way money creates these strange dynamics between people and, eventually, how those dynamics change so much once money disappears.
2023: Past Lives
(Dir: Celine Song) (Greta Lee, Neo You, John Magaro)
This is a very touching film and one that is frustratingly mature. The way this film explores the complexity of romance, distance, time, and culture is fascinating and meshes together impressively well. Along with some incredible filmmaking, stellar performances, and deft writing, it makes for a really memorable and lasting experience. This is another film I find myself thinking about all the time, despite all the time that has passed since I watched it.
2024: Nickel Boys
(Dir: RaMell Ross) (Starring: Ethan Herisse, Luke Tennie, Hamish Linklater, Fred Hechinger)
This is an incredibly creative and affecting film that I can’t recommend enough. I think the unique structure and perspective can be a little challenging, but I also felt it was so well done. It offers such an intimate point of view and one that really forces you, as the viewer, to witness what the film’s characters did. With that, this is a very subtle film and one that handles its subject matter so maturely. The film never felt overly dramatic, which, to me at least, made it a much more impactful movie. So, I would watch this film knowing that it would be a different type of film experience, but one that I found incredibly memorable with a lot of staying power. Even over a year since watching it, I still find myself thinking about this movie from time to time.
2025: Warfare
(Ray Mendoza & Alex Garland) (Starring: Will Poulter, Joseph Quinn, Cosmo Jarvis, Michael Gandolfini)
If you are looking for a more intense film and gritty film, then this is the one for you. This movie offers a very stripped-down, simple, and grounded look at a group of Navy Seals trapped in a building in Ramadi. This film had me locked in and totally engaged with what was happening. The intensity the filmmakers were able to capture is laudable and something few other movies I have seen have been able to accomplish. I wouldn’t call this film a pleasant experience, but it feels like a very worthwhile one.
