Two notes before we get into my list. First off, can I make a distinction between “favorite” and “best” movie? These aren’t necessarily the best movies of the year, but the best experiences I had watching movies. For instance, I think Denis Villeneuve’s Dune is a technical marvel and is another notable work from a master craftsman—but Dune just didn’t connect with me as a viewer, so it’s off the list!
Secondly, I will admit to some very big blindspots. There are a handful of new releases I have yet to see that are guaranteed to steal spots in my top 10, particularly West Side Story, Licorice Pizza, and The Matrix Resurrections. I had carefully-laid intentions to see them over the holidays, but Covid had other plans, so they’re at the top of my 2022 resolutions.
10. Our Friend (dir. Gabriela Cowperthwaite): With a trio of strong performances by Dakota Johnson, Casey Affleck, and Jason Segal, this small-scale dramedy is a beautiful, uplifting reminder of those dependable people in our lives and the sacrifices made to be there for each other. Stream Our Friend on Amazon Prime and read my full review.
9. Riders of Justice (dir. Anders Thomas Jensen): This Danish film reads as a throwaway revenge thriller—turns out writer/director Anders Thomas Jensen delivers a thoughtful, moving meditation on forgiveness, healing, fate, and time itself? It’s also beautifully shot and features a rich, weighty performance by Mads Mikkelsen at the center. Stream Riders of Justice on Hulu.
8. The Suicide Squad (dir. James Gunn): A brazen, hilarious, gory romp, The Suicide Squad shows what can be done with the superhero genre when entrusted in the proper storytelling hands. The film is gorgeously shot and creatively choreographed, and gleefully answers to no one but itself. Stream The Suicide Squad on HBO Max and read my full review.
7. Pig (dir. Michael Sarnoski): The highlight and propulsive force of this strange, beautiful odyssey is the stirring, nuanced performance by Nicolas Cage as a gruff recluse, reluctantly drawn back into society after his truffle pig is violently stolen. Stream Pig on Hulu and read my full review.
6. King Richard (dir. Reinaldo Marcus Green): A straightforward biopic about Richard Williams, the father and coach of legendary tennis players Venus and Serena Williams, this film is elevated by smart direction, a compelling story, and a powerful, engrossing performance by Will Smith. See King Richard in theaters.
5. The Last Duel (dir. Ridley Scott): I was temped to add House of Gucci for what a ballsy, fun time it was, but the superior Ridley Scott effort this year was The Last Duel. Presenting three Rashomon-type versions of the same events and culminating in a gripping finale, the nuances of Duel‘s differing perspectives reward repeat viewings and is a showcase for its talented cast (i.e., Adam Driver, Matt Damon, Jodie Comer). Rent The Last Duel on Amazon and Apple and read my full review.
4. No Sudden Move (dir. Steven Soderbergh): Gritty, stylish, and so much fun, this crime caper is the kind of movie audiences deserve to see every week: confident, brilliant filmmakers playing with genre trappings and letting their top-notch performers (Don Cheadle, Benecio del Toro, etc.) run wild. Stream No Sudden Move on HBO Max and read my full review.
3. Spider-Man: No Way Home (dir. Jon Watts): Sue me, I like feeling things in the theater even at the expense of airtight story logic! As a classic hater of noisy audiences, even this Theater Grinch caught the infectious energy of rousing cheers and applause. More than once I caught myself with either goosebumps, tears, or a shit-eating grin. It’s no denying No Way Home is a corporate product, packaged to please as many fans as possible, but this was fan service done right: the Easter eggs and nostalgia complement the story, and the focus always remains on Tom Holland’s Peter Parker and his emotional journey—an arc that soars with satisfying, jubilant highs. See Spider-Man: No Way Home in theaters and read my full review.
2. tick, tick… BOOM! (dir. Lin-Manuel Miranda): Brought to life by a towering, central performance by Andrew Garfield (this man won 2021, right?), tick, tick… BOOM! is an adaptation of the biographical musical by award-winning Jonathan Larson. Garfield is a joy to watch in this touching, earnest tale about those transitionary-periods of life, when we all anxiously hope to not be crushed by the expectation of an uncertain future. Stream tick, tick… BOOM! on Netflix.
1. C’mon C’mon (dir. Mike Mills): My favorite movie of the year, C’mon C’mon is a celebration of life, a wonderful package of the beautiful highs and the frustrating, ugly lows. It never sacrifices honesty, and displays the wondrous, sloppy realities of our relationships. There is an infectious freedom in how director Mike Mills tells this story of journalist Johnny (Joaquin Phoenix), who agrees to temporarily watch his nephew (newcomer Woody Norman) during a family crisis. The writing and performances feel genuine and unrehearsed; Phoenix is brilliant and understated and Norman is the heart of the entire film. Mills perfectly captures life’s constant mixture of sorrow, confusion, and laughter. C’mon C’mon moved me, inspired me, and left me chewing on its message for weeks. Rent C’mon C’mon on Amazon and Apple.
