Looking back at the past year, it’s safe to say that the cinema experience has changed for me. After spending the pandemic sitting on the couch watching movies from the comfort of my own home, it was a breath of fresh air to be able to be able to sit in a movie theater again and watch films on the big screen. It takes a lot to get oneself out of the death scroll of their phone, but here are what I thought were the best films of 2022 that were able to demand my attention and keep it entirely. While I accept criticism, I do not accept slander. So just as a warning, the trainwreck Jurassic World, Plane, and that Fantastic Beast movie with no actually notable fantastic beasts won’t even touch this list.
So, let’s kick it off with some honorable mentions!
The Northman dir. Robert Eggers
Who doesn’t love a good historical piece full of mysticism, responsibility, and unescapable destinies? The amount of dedication that was put into the historical accuracy of the film’s costume design and the settings of the water and the green hillsides of Norway are something to be heralded. It makes you feel as if you’re truly witnessing the world of old Norse berserkers, which definitely also makes you feel as if you’re about to be robbed and pillaged at any moment. Alexander Skarsgård is fantastic playing Amleth, and actresses Nicole Kidman and Anya Taylor-Joy do amazing jobs at their roles as Gudrún and Olga respectively. This movie has everything that I person could want when in the mood for watching a Northman looking for bloody vengeance and I highly recommend!
Three Thousand Years of Longing dir. George Miller
Imagine experiencing not one, not two, but three thousand years of heart-breaking longing. It’s a beautiful and terrible feeling that perfectly sums up how I felt after watching this movie. The storytelling of this movie is amazing, and I was invested in every one of the overarching stories in the film. Starring Idris Elba as a djinn retelling his life to scholar Alithea Binnie (Tilda Swinton), there is beauty in the interwoven tales that are shared, all connected by those immense feelings of yearning that the title states. The visuals are amazing, bringing the story to life and giving it the personality that makes it such a fantastic watch.
Avatar: The Way of Water dir. James Cameron
I’ll admit, everyone loves watching the blue people play out this reenactment of colonization. We loved it then when the first Avatar came out in 2009, and we definitely love it now. The visuals of Avatar: Way of Water are absolutely gorgeous, and I love the way that it gives me the same feelings of tranquility as watching a nature documentary narrated by Sir David Attenborough. Which to me is the highest of compliments in this regard. The journey that this continuation takes throughout the world of Pandora is truly out of this world! I appreciate the attention to detail that Cameron put into the film, which can best be seen in the setting. Every leaf on every tree, every intricately designed creature, and my God the water. Overall, this movie was a beautiful experience in theaters, and I look forward to watching the next installment in this series. Let’s just hope it doesn’t take another decade to get it.
Now time to get this show on the road with my top ten list!
10. Bodies Bodies Bodies dir. Halina Reijn
Sigh. I know, I didn’t think that a movie with Pete Davidson would be in my top ten for this year either. But here we are. There’s just something about this movie and its ability to joke about the crazy lives of entitled rich Gen Z young adults, and it’s who-done-it plot line that just seems to be so messy that it works. I was left on the edge of my seat, not because of the horror, but just because of how invested I got in the characters, whether it was because I loved them or not. They make stupid mistakes just like every other twenty something year old would when they think that they can be murdered in the middle of nowhere during a hurricane. Just an average Tuesday.
9. Honk for Jesus Save Your Soul dir. Adamma Ebo
Based off of the short film of the same name, Honk for Jesus Save Your Soul is an underrated film following the lives of two pastors at a large megachurch, and their failing marriage in the midst of sexual allegation scandals. I love its willingness to touch on such a sensitive topic, and its mockumentary style only adds to the feeling of exposure that you feel watching the film. There are so many moments, whether tender or devastating, that you feel as though you’re not supposed to witness but luckily, as the audience, you can.
Plus, it features Regina Hall as the church’s first lady going through what may be the lowest point in her life, filled with drama and backbiting. I’m a sucker for sad films, so you already know I couldn’t get enough of this movie. But overall, we need to herald more appreciation for low budget films made by people of color, because this movie was a different, passive-aggressive, beast and I applaud Adamma Ebo’s work on the debut of her first full-length film. Well done!
8. Pearl dir. Ti West
SHE’S A STAR! That’s all I have to say about the range of Mia Goth in this movie.
After watching 2022’s X, also directed by Ti West, I thought that Pearl was just going to be just another prequel created solely to pander to the audience and make a quick buck. But I was blown away by how much dedication was put into this movie. So much so, that I definitely prefer this movie over its predecessor.
Ti West takes the Pearl that we saw in X, and managed to give her such a complex back story that even I am impressed, because I did not see this film coming.
The bright, cheerful lighting and innate beauty of the south serve as a stark contrast for the violence in this film, along with the cheerful appearance of Mia Goth as the titular character Pearl, who happens to be reminiscent of the late Judy Garland. And for a gory slasher movie, it’s just so much fun. The characters in the film all seen dramatic, the violence excessive, and the happenings of the film are sometimes plain bonkers, but I loved watching every minute of this movie.
Currently, Mia Goth is working with Ti West on another addition to the X franchise titled MaXXXine, continuing the storyline where X left off and let me tell you, I can’t wait!
7. Tár dir. Todd Field
Cate Blanchett. That should be all I have to say. And yet, I must go on.
Tár focuses on the tumultuous downfall of famous chief conductor Lydia Tár. This movie left me thrilled to see more of the competitiveness of the instrumental music sphere, and the downfall of an egotistical character is always such a pleasure to see.
With its amazing soundtrack that includes multiple symphony pieces that are vital to the plot of the film, the emotions of this film are truly exemplified when watched for the first time. Plus, the stellar performance by Cate Blanchett is enough to garner this movie a few accolades. She does a great job at embodying this role, so much so that by the end of the movie I loved to hate her.
The plot has a gradual build that I think is fitting for its more than two hour run time. Instead of dragging on, every scene in this film fits and keeps the momentum of the film going to its big climax, which I assure you is something that deserves to be seen. Looking to the future, I can’t wait to see what Cate Blanchett and Todd Field each have in store.
6.The Menu dir. Mark Mylod
As a lover of food, the comedy horror film The Menu is a feast for the eyes, the mind, and the love I hold for actress Anya Taylor-Joy. The Menu explores ideas of entitlement and privilege through the lens of the food industry, in what I feel is a bold but interesting take.
The setting of the film is small, but in a way, it allowed the story to be self-contained and allows the audience to get to know each of the characters in this movie’s cast. I loved the script, especially the various monologues which appear frequently throughout the film and give much needed insight on the motivations and intentions of some of the most interesting characters. Actors Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, and Hong Chau do exceptionally well in this movie, and I feel as though they all worked together to make this movie something special.
The intricate food centered aesthetics of this film also give me the same vibe as the gory tableaus found in the infamous Hannibal series, just with less cannibalistic undertones, but who can complain.
Overall, this movie was such a fun watch and I highly recommend, just make sure that you have something to eat when you watch. Chef’s kiss!
5. The Batman dir. Matt Reeves
After hearing that Batman was going to be played by Robert Pattinson, the sparkly vampire of my childhood, I’ll admit, I was a little skeptical. I thought that the brooding aura that I grew to associate with the character would be diluted. But I was so wrong. In this movie, The Batman broods in the best way. With the gritty dark color of the film and overall dark tone found everywhere from the bass-heavy soundtrack to the script, this movie actually seemed to bring the mysteriousness of Gotham’s underbelly to the forefront, without devaluing Batman’s heroism.
The chemistry between Robert Pattinson’s Batman and Zoe Kravitz’s Catwoman is another great aspect of this movie. This was not Halle Berry’s disappointment of a heroine, this Catwoman is a true fighter that is well fleshed out, and we love her all the more for it. The detective tale that the story weaves also does a great job at taking Batman’s skills found in the original comic, while also leaving more room to investigate the intricacies of the story’s villains than Christopher Nolan’s films could have every hoped to achieve.
This film was a great start for a new journey for the dark knight of Gotham and I can’t wait to see what will happen next!
You can read Spencer’s review of The Batman here.
4. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio dir. Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson
This movie was an undoubtedly touching piece, that I feel was the best interpretation of Pinocchio thus far. (Ahem. I’m looking at you Disney.)
Stop motion animation is a beautiful genre of film that does not get enough credit for all of the time and dedication that goes into the form. The voice acting and character designs are flawless, with the interpretations of Pinocchio and Sebastian J. Cricket showing amazing amounts of originality, that I felt better fit with the individual personalities of the characters. The setting of the film is beautifully designed, and the soundtrack is light with a playful air that embodies the childlike innocence of Pinocchio we all associate with the character.
I also appreciated how the artistic liberties that were taken by del Toro and Gustafson didn’t unnecessarily turn the story on its head. These creative liberties changed aspects or added details that elevated the story to make this heartwarming film that I am sure will touch the hearts of those of all ages.
And the ending alone is gut wrenching in its beautiful simplicity. This movie is a true masterpiece and I definitely advise that everyone watches it at least once!
You can read Harrison’s review of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio here.
3. Nope dir. Jordan Peele
Once again, Jordan Peele tests the limits of the horror genre in the best of ways in this movie. I love everything that Peele has come out with so far in his film career. But there is something about Nope that sets it apart from other movies.
His examination on the notion of spectacle along with the use of living things to propel oneself towards infamy alone is unbelievable and serves as a call-out to the predatory behavior of the film industry as a whole. While I don’t want to spoil the story, as the plot thickens and answers were revealed, I was honestly shocked when I started putting things together. Nothing can prepare you for the twists and turns that this out of this world story will certainly have for you.
The action-packed chase sequences are riveting and are some of the most thrill-seeking ones that I’ve seen in a long time. Especially the final moments of the film, which had me literally gripping my seat in anticipation. Daniel Kaluuya, and most notably Keke Palmer, propelled this movie forward in what I think are certainly one of the best roles of their respective careers, and I look forward to seeing what they, along with director Jordan Peele, will do in the future.
Even though I am disappointed that Nope was snubbed at the Oscars, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. So, I will continue to applaud this movie since it certainly won over my heart.
2. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish dir. Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado
Okay folks, it’s official. We may be currently experiencing another beautiful age of animation. I’ll admit, I was not expecting much when I first decided to watch this Puss in Boots sequel. I thought that nothing could ever top the greatness that was Shrek 2 because let’s be honest, the Fairy Godmother is everyone’s favorite villain. But was I so wrong, there were multiple antagonists in this movie that could top even her level of show stopping villainy.
Watching this movie was an absolute blast. The animation was colorful and leans away from the ultra-realistic styles favored by Disney. It is similar to a moving painting., making the many fairy tales that are referenced in this film feel as though they are jumping straight off of the page. The soundtrack is amazing and even the voice actors, which include Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Harvey Guillén, Florence Pugh, and Wagner Moura, do a stellar job at giving the characters so much personality and relatability.
The plot pulled me in, leaving me thoroughly invested in the adventure of the infamous swash buckling Puss in Boots. The story touches on the tropes of found family and dealing with one’s mortality in surprisingly sophisticated ways showing how much Crawford and Mercado are willing to respect even their younger audiences. The humor in the movie is genuinely funny, appropriate enough to be safe for all viewers but still featuring funny and mature jokes that go way over kid’s heads.
Overall, I adored this movie and have no shame in admitting that I think this was one of the greatest movies of 2022.
1. Everything Everywhere All At Once dir. Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan
I think no one’s surprised that this movie has made it so high onto this list. Everything about this movie is perfect and I have no criticisms, but I’ll attempt to do it justice. Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu and Ke Huy Quan made me feel more emotions towards my life than any other film I’ve ever seen. I am so happy that they are receiving the awards and critical acclaim they deserve.
Just the shear breadth of EEAAO’s story makes it feel larger than life. The Daniels had a clear goal in mind when making this movie, and the sometimes-outrageous concepts in their multiverse do nothing to bog the story down, but instead highlight its best parts. Every universe, every costume, practically every detail has so much creativity and significance that every time I watch I learn more about the movie and myself, which explains why I’ve watched it several times in theaters already.
Moreover, the film’s introspective look on familial relationships grips the lingering feelings of generational trauma and existential dread inside of the audience and brings it to the surface, leaving one feeling flayed along the edges. Raw, but comforted in the fact that everyone feels just as small and stupid as we are. The jokes were always spot on leaving me dying of laughter, while the film’s saddest moments left me crying in the theater. This film truly leaves one feeling everything, everywhere, all at once and I love it so much for it.
Watching this movie was a true pleasure and I’ll be impatiently waiting for directors Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan to create another breathtaking film!