2022 is the year that cinema has finally made a full comeback. After 2 years of uncertainty regarding the overall long-standing health of the movie-going industry as we know it, the church of the cinephile has finally been restored to almost all of its previous glory. The pandemic really put a dent in my confidence about the future of the theatre-going experience, but I can safely say that after this year things are really looking up!
DISCLAIMER: These are by no means the objectively BEST movies of the year, but the movies that came out this year that I consider my favorite subjectively.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Decision to Leave
All Quiet on the Western Front
Cha Cha Real Smooth
The Banshees of Inisherin
10. Bodies Bodies Bodies dir. Helina Reijn
A super fun summer-slasher that I haven’t seen on anyone else’s end of the year lists, this one in my opinion is CRIMINALLY underrated. The subtlety in which this film is directed is so effective in so many different ways, the dynamics between the characters is presented in such a nuanced way that the film never gets bogged down with exposition, but is instead replaced with great story-telling techniques that would fly under most people’s radar. The actors are all fantastic, and here we have a career best ICONIC performance from Rachel Sennott that while go down in history as a scream queen all-timer.
9. The Fabelmans dir. Steven Spielberg
A movie that stuck with me, and marinated in surprising ways. At its core, its a family drama, but it manages the balancing act of themes it presents in a way that makes it feel so fresh. Seeing the medium of film through the personal perspective of Spielberg himself, you can really feel his love for cinema oozing out of every frame of this movie. Gabriel LaBelle gives an oscar worthy performance here, and I can’t wait to see him in more projects soon!
8. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On dir. Dean Fleischer-Camp
A heartwarming and beautifully crafted tale of family and loneliness that I found to be genuinely funny at every turn, but heartbreaking all the same - which is saying a lot for a movie about a talking shell! The unique narrative style of this film kept the story interesting outside of the already compelling characters, and it was a world I was sad to depart from once the credits rolled. Effortlessly endearing all the way through, and left me smiling from ear to ear.
7. The Worst Person in the World dir. Joachim Trier
Fleabag for Norwegian people, this movie presented a coming-of-age story in a feminist light that I found to be intricate and masterly woven. It’s wonderfully shot, and takes creative liberty with its storytelling constantly in a way that keeps you interested aside from your natural investment in the character of Julie, played wonderfully by Renate Reinsve. The swimmingly beautiful score has been dancing around my head ever since I watched it, and I doubt it will ever leave.
6. Triangle of Sadness dir. Ruben Östlund
The most uncomfortable movie experience I had in the past year, this movie consistently kept me on my toes with its witty commentary, and ever-changing story. The sense of dread you feel going into the second act of this movie is so razor-sharp that it disarms you completely and forces you to surrender to its experience, but once you submit yourself to this movie, it becomes tremendously rewarding.
5. Bones and All dir. Luca Guadagnino
I’ll admit I definitely liked this more because of the book, but the film on it’s own is still a fascinating achievement. To present something so grotesque and almost unbelievable in such a raw and oftentimes romantic light is an accomplishment on its own and a testament to Guadagnino’s directorial abilities. Beautifully shot and atmospherically constructed, with a holy experience of a score from Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross. Also, TIMOTHEE!!!
4. Top Gun: Maverick dir. Joseph Kosinski
If any movie revived people’s inspiration to return to theatres this year, it was first and foremost Top Gun: Maverick. This film will be remembered for years to come, not only as the movie that brought people back to the theatre, but as a movie in its own right that accomplished feats no other action film had accomplished before. Tom Cruise is a madman, and his efforts, along with the whole crew behind this to make it as realistic as possible translated so well on to the screen, and left my jaw-dropped at some of the action spectacles on display here.
3. The Northman dir. Robert Eggers
A mythological tale of revenge that has left me spellbound ever since watching it. It’s a shame that this didn’t make more money, because we need more movies like this one. Mid-budget, independent epics that tell a story in a unique, auteur driven way. It’s brutal, it’s amazing to behold, and it never tries to be anything outside of its own self-awareness. Eggers is one of my favorite filmmakers working today, and I can’t wait to see what’s next in store for him.
2. The Batman dir. Matt Reeves
The MOST Batman piece of media we probably have, and if you’re familiar with how harsh the Comicbook Movie community can be, that’s a bold statement. Greg Fraser and Matt Reeves behind the camera, Pattinson, Dano, Serkis, Wright, Kravitz, the costume design, the production design, Michael Giacchino’s powerhouse score. Everything, everything, everything, EVERYTHING about this movie is pure Batman comicbook fanfare all the way through, I’m so happy this thing exists.
1. Nope dir. Jordan Peele
Anyone who knows me knew this was coming. This movie ruined other movies for me. It makes me question how something so imperfectly intricate and nuanced could be pieced together from the inside of one person’s mind. I think about this movie everyday, something about it’s magic and the mysteries within it have kept me entranced every since I saw that image of the first motion picture fade in from the opening credits. Peele has crafted his most bizarre and wildly ambitious project yet with this film, there are times when I watch it where I still don’t believe what I’m seeing. It’s a science-fiction-old-western-cowboy-driven-spaceship-hollywood-blockbuster all at once, and somehow, it manages to be every one of those things simultaneously in their purest form. They got a word for that?...
I hope you enjoyed my Top 10 movies of the year, it’s been a great year for movies, and I’m hopeful again for the future of cinema! 2023 here we come!
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