It’s been another game-changing year for movies. And not necessarily in the best ways. With pandemic aftermath continuing to shape the industry and the release of both major blockbusters and independent films, the wall between the big and small screen has continued to evaporate. As the global box office continued to struggle to recover, the biggest releases are overwhelming taking the biggest piece of the pie. The box office for films in the US and Canada is expected to finish the year at just $7.35 billion, a 35% drop off compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, due in part to a lack of films released though in theater performance remained a major issue. While adult-oriented fare like dramas struggled to not flop, the top 10 films of 2022 accounted for more than half of the industry’s total box office, compared to 30-40% in previous years.
That’s all to say that the industry is changing. And it’s changing fast.
As TV continues to blur the lines of what was previously thought possible, film and the film industry writ large is in the midst of a reckoning. While putting together a list of my favorite ten shows of 2022 proved exceedingly challenging (there was a true embarrassment of riches), the task was decidedly less competitive over on the film side of the equation. Is that to say that 2022 was a terrible year for film? Certainly not. But it does seem to be one of the weaker outings in recent memory.
Nevertheless, there were at least ten films which earned their place in this best of the year retrospective, one that you’ll soon see proved to be rather horror-heavy. Starting at the top, we have…
10 . THE MENU
The Menu is a deliciously enjoyable dish that offers a unique blend of black comedy, social commentary, and lip-smacking horror. It also boasts the best-looking movie food of 2022. The movie centers around Margot Mills, a young woman invited to dine at the exclusive island restaurant, Hawthorne. Renown for its Michelin-starred chef, Chef Slowik, and his elaborate, molecular gastronomy dishes, Hawthorne is an enclave for the elite. Soon after arriving for the evening’s dinner, the 1% diners find themselves served up more than they ordered. Things get bloody. The movie is a satirical spin on the world of fine dining, social hierarchy, and status, and features excellent performances from Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Fiennes, and the supporting cast. A tasty treat indeed. [FULL REVIEW]
9 . THE INNOCENTS
The Innocents (De Uskyldige) is a Norwegian supernatural-horror film that follows a group of 9-year-old children as they navigate the complexities of growing up while discovering new supernatural abilities. Directed by Joachim Trier, this Scandinavian coming-of-age import feels like a mash-up of The Florida Project, Carrie, and Chronicle, with taut direction and strong performances from the child actors, especially standout Alva Brynsmo Ramstad. The unique screenplay explores the intersection of empathy and psychopathy through the lens of kids who are too young to understand the importance and impact of their decisions, making for a thought-provoking and nerve-wracking viewing experience.
8. SPEAK NO EVIL
As powerful and disturbing a horror film as 2022 produced, the darkly satirical Speak No Evil tackles the concept of “correctness culture,” in which people are willing to sacrifice their own well-being in order to avoid offending others. The film follows Danish couple Bjørn and Louise who are invited to visit their new Dutch friends Patrick and Karin in their countryside home, only to find themselves subjected to increasingly inappropriate and unsettling behavior. Despite the increasingly strange, manipulative and abusive situations they find themselves in, the Danish couple struggle to assert themselves. Writer-director Christian Tafdrup uses this scenario to explore the concept of toxic politeness and the idea that we only endure what we allow others to do to us, expertly building tension by creating a highly recognizable and relatable scenario and then letting it spin way out of control. Tafdrup’s direction is precise and effective, and the performances from the cast are strong all around, making for a slow-burn thriller that builds tension to impossible levels to explore the dangers of ignoring one’s own instincts. [FULL REVIEW]
7. BARBARIAN
Though it’s sure to be exclusively beloved by genre fans, horror fanatics should not miss Barbarian, a basement-dwelling thrill ride that boasts suspense, camp, and unexpected twists at every turn. Set in the dilapidated neighborhoods of Detroit, the story follows Tess, a resourceful and intelligent protagonist, as she navigates an Airbnb that has been double-booked with another unsuspecting guest. Can she spend the night with him without repercussions? Not quite. Director Zach Cregger expertly balances thematic elements, delving into the balance of gender dynamics and playing against our expectations at every turn. The performances from Georgina Campbell and Bill Skarsgård are particularly noteworthy and the film’s placement within the emerging sub-genre of “Detroit Dystopia” adds an additional layer of intrigue. [FULL REVIEW]
6. THE NORTHMAN
The Northman, directed by Robert Eggers and featuring a standout performance by Alexander Skarsgård, is a myth-driven tale of revenge in the Viking era. It’s Eggers third film and his third time appearing on my Top Ten Best Movies of the Year list. We clearly vibe. Drawing on Norse mythology and the original story of Hamlet, the film offers a brutal and unflinching portrayal of violence and retribution. The impressive visual effects and twisted sense of humor add depth and complexity to the universal themes of revenge and the consequence of vengeance. With lavish sets and wowing locations, layered atop Eggers’ signature go-for-broke style, The Northman may have been an (unfortunate) bust at the box office but remains a must-see for fans of the auteur’s singular style. [FULL REVIEW]
5: TOP GUN: MAVERICK
With Top Gun: Maverick, director Joseph Kosinski has outdone the 1986 original in every imaginable way. A high-soaring crowdpleaser that boasts wowing aerial action, Maverick has an ace up its sleeve in Tom Cruise. The 60-year old performer is at the peak of his talents here, bringing his signature charm and rebellious spirit to the role. The long-awaited sequel was the kind of rarified box office superstar that impressed audiences and critics alike and for good reason: this is the kind of entertainment that draws people back to the theaters en masse. A better four-quadrant crowdpleaser didn’t exist in 2022. [FULL REVIEW]
4. TÁR
In Todd Field’s Tár, themes of power dynamics, female excellence, and cancel culture are examined through the lens of a celebrated conductor, played brilliantly by Cate Blanchett, and those who will do whatever it takes to learn from her. The film explores the blurred lines between dedication and self-demolition, and the resulting complex relationships that grow in their shadow. Tár is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged exploration of these themes, drawing comparisons to films like Whiplash and Michael Haneke’s The Piano Teacher. A masterclass in storytelling, Field’s film provokes, challenges, inspires, and repulses in equal measure, and though critically adored, is also just hugely entertaining from its very first moments to its long-lingering conclusion.
3. PEARL
Mia Goth and Ti West really got something going this year. Pearl, the second film in their planned collaboration trilogy, operates as both a splashy throwback to the Technicolor wonder-years of filmmaking and an outrageous villain origin story. A character study to its core, Peal boasts one of the year’s best – and certainly its most surprising – performance in Goth, who is able to channel career best work as a simple farm girl whose inability to escape her modest trappings lead her to unhinged carnage. Imagine The Wizard of Oz were Dorthy a deranged incel in the midst of a mental break. She even fucks a scarecrow. Between her work here and in X, Goth makes for the finest villainess of the year and the handful of horrifying monologues she spouts in Pearl make this an absolutely irresistible treat for horror fans. [FULL REVIEW]
2. RRR
Tollywood roared its way into the spotlight in 2022 with RRR, a fictionalized historical epic with sweeping musical numbers, eye-popping action sequences, and enough tentpole maximalism to put all other franchise filmmaking this year to shame. Oozing in watchable melodrama, RRR is the story of two real-life Indian revolutionaries who rise against British rule in 1920s. The story they find themselves in is entirely fictional. Unfortunately, real life really features so much man on tiger action. A true circus of a film, RRR is the rare movie that’s well over three hours but earns every single minute of its extensive runtime. Director S.S. Rajamouli milks every single moment for its peak dramatic juice, making for a visual treat that’s emboldened by lovable characters and a truly thrilling story.
1. EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
When I sprinted to the opening night film at this year’s SXSW Film Festival, I suspected that Everything Everywhere All at Once would be a banger. I did not expect it to become – and remain – my favorite film of the year. With their sophomore feature, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheiner (aka “Daniels”) created something so unique, so bold, so singular, so dizzying, so out-of-this-world that it’s impossible not to get caught up in the magical mystery of its making. The genre-spanning epic about a Chinese laundry mat owner (Michelle Yeoh, never better) who finds herself entangled in a multiversal battle for the fabric of existence – while also coming to terms with generations of familial issues – combines batshit antics with genuine pathos, wowing martial arts with hysterical comedy, and more world-building than other, lesser franchises manage across a decade of installments. Led by an incredible ensemble of actors, EEAAO is definitively one-of-a-kind and must be seen to be believed.
