That’s 91 movies in total, across a 12-month period, that have garnered me five ratings of 5.0, seven 4.5s, twelve 4.0s, twenty 3.5s, nineteen 3.0s, ten 2.5s, eight 2.0s, four 1.5s and six 1.0s – a nice little bell curve. But okay, now it’s time to shower the best with mountainous praise – I hope my vocabulary is up for it 😇 91 movies may seem like a lot (because it is), but I barely scratched the surface on the depth of content out there, across all streaming services and cinema alike. If I’ve missed an out-an-out gem, or if I really like a movie that blackens your soul, use your words, and craft a particularly good retort in the comments box below. These are only my favourite movies after all, and what would I know?
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My Favourite 10 Movies of 2022
10. X
This year saw me catch up on the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise on the back of my awe for X. Stylistically, they may be similar, but I prefer to think of X as a movie that picks its themes, and finds the best subculture and point in time to explore them – and that is, the late 1970s, and the growing video porn industry. It’s not a rip-off of what has come before; the blood, gore and tension is just for show atop interesting victim and killer characterization. Brittany Snow, and definitely Mia Goff, give performances for their highlight reels, and what will fascinate most is the inclusion of Jenna Ortega – seeing Ortega in Scream and then X at the beginning of the year, I had no idea who she was, but now, she’s on Jimmy Kimmel getting quizzed on her favourite dipping sauce, thanks to the explosion of the Netflix series Wednesday. X already has a prequel movie released in the ‘States, filmed concurrently with this movie actually, but do you think I can get any clear information on when it’s getting released in Australia?! I’m super keen! (And isn’t it just poetry that 10th is X, and X is 10th – Roman Numerals, baby!)
9. DC League of Super-Pets
One word: Goozy-woozy-puppy-fun! Number nine marks the funniest movie of the year for me, with Warner Bros. lampooning the serious DC characters we’ve come to know, and reminding me of what I’ve always loved about the Looney Tunes’ charming wit and biting satire. While building a colourful kid-friendly superhero pet world, this movie is hot on the heels of the quality accomplished by Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, I reckon – although, this is definitely goofier, but with similarly energetic, injecting a large number of new and popular characters as it goes, and an alternative perspective from the norm. It’s getting to the point where seeing Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart on a poster together is a tried-and-true unsurprising circumstance, but their partnership does elevate these talking dogs, and combines a great deal towards making this movie work. There’re a few good stories here – Kate McKinnon gets a wonderful animation redemption after being so annoying in Ferdinand, and Natasha Lyonne gets to play with the cool kids 🐢
8. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
I went back and forth with my last selection and this one, but Black Panther: Wakanda Forever must get the edge for a higher spot, as a live-action extravaganza. This movie had a lot on its plate – consolidating the death of Chadwick Boseman, establishing a new name worthy of taking over the Black Panther mantle, while delivering a kick-ass story that ups the ante of the previous movie all the same. I’m strong on my reasons why Black Panther isn’t great, but I was so eager to be won over and side with the ‘shills’ for this sequel; mission accomplished. I primarily think this movie owes a debt of gratitude to its returning cast, who I’m sure would be too modest to accept it, but I believe I could sense an intense focus forged from the tragic circumstances, and brilliantly captured by the sophisticated and developing hand of Ryan Coogler behind the camera. With many criticisms aimed at Marvel this year, I think this was a shining light.
7. Smile
Yes Smile, have you got a problem with that? Sure, I’ll admit this movie is simple, but it’s hella-affective. Sometimes if you join the dots, stay inside the lines, colour and shade vibrantly, your previously established premise may sparkle marvelously – I think it’s called a ‘glow-up’. It helped that I watched this movie with a bunch of friends, and we had a great time bouncing off each other, and laughing as we fell for the constant jump-scares. This is the first horror movie that’s kept me awake at night since Hereditary too, and although I’m a wuss with a limited background in this genre, that still means something… Many people have compared Smile to It Follows, but I think this is better. Sosie Bacon is also pretty good.
6. The Lost Daughter
This is a great example of a modern-day slow burn, that keeps important information close to the chest, but remains fascinating throughout. I love Olivia Coleman in this – Dakota Johnson also, and Jesse Buckley provides more evidence as to why she’s a standout in my eyes. I think The Lost Daughter explores a side of womanhood that I don’t see very often, in what it’s like when a mothering instinct doesn’t kick in, and when a woman’s independence and personal flourishment is at odds with the family dynamic. How much of it is selfish? How much of it is self-sustaining? The Lost Daughter is a massive achievement from first time director Maggie Gyllenhaal, and I hope she continues to thrive in the new role. Seeing this movie was a privilege.
5. Belfast
Belfast may suffer from the downside of a recency-bias since I saw this movie way back in February. But Kenneth Branagh channels his early childhood in directing a semi-biographical depiction of a waring Ireland and a boy’s relation to adult hostilities, and it’s glorious. What helps this movie pop is the black-and-white disposition, sporadic and poignant bursts of colour in key moments, and the relationships shared between son, parents, and grandparents. Ciarán Hinds was robbed of a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in my view, but Jamie Dornan and Caitríona Balfe show they have a lot to give for the future. This is the first movie on this list that received a perfect score from me, so it’s all rosy from here on down – hold on to your hats!
4. Bodies Bodies Bodies
The recipe says, take one Scream. Rip it. Twist it. Bop it. And add in the craziness of Gen Z hubris to get this finished product. I loved Bodies Bodies Bodies because I felt like I was on the rollercoaster with these characters for the entire runtime. I was a fiddle, and this movie strung me like Stradivari! I worry this movie might’ve been overlooked since it didn’t get a mainstream cinema release, but it may turn into a cult classic along the way, with any fans of well-written characters and murderous whodunits doing themselves a disservice by not wanting to check out this movie. Bodies Bodies Bodies may also prove to be chock-full of future stars when we look back on it in a few years’ time too – Pete Davidson is famous already, thanks to SNL, (and Maria Bakalova is honoured for Borat Subsequent Moviefilm), but it’s hard not to see Amandla Steinberg, Rachel Sennott and even Myha’la Herrold becoming household names one of these days. There’s also enough drugs and sexual energy to make a Rolling Stone blush; well, maybe not that much. But the question must be asked – it’s been a great year for horror, no? X, Smile, and Bodies Bodies Bodies make my list, but there’s also the very decent Scream (2022), Barbarian, Fresh and Jordan Peele’s Nope that make for very enjoyable movies. I also quite liked Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but don’t hold that against me. Even Terrifier 2 seems to have affirmed Art the Clown as a new surreal and bankable baddie.
3. Red Rocket
If there’s one thing I want you to take from this list, it’s the name Sean Baker. His movies fill a need in my cinematic diet like no other – his stories, focus on rural America and use naturalistic actors and dialogue that make me feel like a fly on the wall, in issues that I’ve never considered before, and they’re fascinating. Red Rocket tells the story of an ailing porn star who whimpers home with his tail between his legs, hoping his wife will take him back, only to stumble upon a new fiery young talent, which he believes he can manipulate into a star. Whilst being hyper-realistic, the movie’s plot has a tension that tightens and tightens around this fella, as his web of deceits move to swallow him up. Sean Baker’s last movie, The Florida Project, placed eighth on my Top 10 list in 2018, and Red Rocket comes in third – not too shabby.
2. The Batman
🎵 Something in the way, mmMmm 🎵 I only just got that Nirvana vibe out of my head! But if something is going to come between me and my Batman, this isn’t it – The Batman just became available on Netflix this past month too, and it’s a crime that I haven’t been able to watch it yet. I want to watch it again right now! The Batman explores the thin line between Bruce Wayne’s vigilantism and contemptible thuggery; how unglamourous his commitment would truly be, and how easily it could be misconstrued by the wrong people in Gotham. It just goes to show how rich the source material for Batman can be, and director Matt Reeves mines deeply. After so many Batman movies, the fact that we can still push and pull content to find groundbreaking new territory, with differing gritty and gothic visuals, is swell. More, please. Plus, Michelle Pfeiffer may still be my favourite Catwoman, but Zoe Kazan’s feline relationship with Robert Pattinson’s Batman is second to none.
1. Everything Everywhere All at Once
Everything Everywhere All at Once – I knew I couldn’t round out the year without catching up on this banger. The trailer looked excellent, and although I honestly hated the Daniels’ first movie in Swiss Army Man, which had me hedging my bets, the idea of the multiverse is so hot right now, and the praise coming through for this movie urged me to partake. In the end, it’s the Daniels’ kinetic and downright silly energy that helps propel this movie into being one of the cinematic experiences of the year, and my favourite. Their attention to detail culminates with tremendously intense performances from the entire cast, that keeps viewers on their toes, and energetically punctuates an inspiring and moving plot. Our characters turn into rocks, or sport hotdog fingers, and I’m not even giving away a fraction of the craziness that ensues. Everything Everywhere All at Once – unique and spectacular.
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I also really loved Spencer and The Adam Project but couldn’t fit them on the list. Genuine shoutouts to Top Gun: Maverick, The Menu, Men, and Hollywood Stargirl, although the first three of these should be remembered as classics of 2022 anyway, with my praise or not. I probably should admit I was harsh on The Northman too, because even though I felt like I’d seen it all before, I shouldn’t have that detract from Robert Eggers work, where he produced a damn fine movie in its own right. But please, check out my ‘2022 Index: An A to Z of Movies’ post for a full breakdown of all the movies I saw this year.
What great movie did I leave off my list? Is there a selection that is completely bonkers? You have your thoughts at your fingertips, so why not respond in the reply box below.
Now, I’ve only one thing left to do for the year, and that is to dredge through the muck and deliver My Least Favourite 10 Movies of 2022 – yeeesh! Coming soon.
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