5 Criterion Closet Picks to See in Case Lav Diaz Gets His Own Episode
We highlight five favorite Criterion "Closet Picks" episodes, featuring selections from Ayo Edebiri, Cillian Murphy, and Filipino filmmaker Isabel Sandoval.
Lav Diaz and the Criterion Closet
Filipino filmmaker Lav Diaz has appeared in the Criterion Closet twice, first in 2023 and again in October 2025. Although his latest episode has not been released yet, Diaz chose films such as David Lynch’s Lost Highway and Jean-Pierre Melville’s Le Samouraï, along with box sets like Letters from Fontainhas: Three Films by Pedro Costa and Ingmar Bergman’s Cinema. The Criterion Collection hinted that more content featuring Diaz is forthcoming.
Favorite Criterion Closet Episodes
For now, here are five standout episodes from the beloved Criterion Closet series:
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Ayo Edebiri
Comedian and actor Ayo Edebiri explores the Closet with infectious enthusiasm. She says,
“Thank you, Criterion, for letting me in the closet. I was disgustingly greedy.”
Her picks traverse genres and countries:- Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low for masterful storytelling
- Stanley Donen’s Charade for its charm and wit
- Juzo Itami’s The Funeral for sharp satire
- Charles Burnett’s To Sleep with Anger for its dark, surreal humor
Conclusion
The Criterion Closet offers a unique glimpse into the tastes of filmmakers and actors, celebrating cinema’s diverse voices and styles.
“More to come,” promises the Criterion Collection, keeping fans eagerly awaiting Lav Diaz’s next visit.
Author’s summary: Criterion Closet episodes reveal the distinctive tastes of filmmakers like Lav Diaz and Ayo Edebiri, offering a rich and varied cinematic journey through their favorite films and collections.