2022 has been one of the best years in recent memory. A year absolutely packed with massive surprises as well as the incredibly impactful return of pure blockbuster entertainment. From completely original, uniquely creative stories to successful long-due continuations of beloved films, this is undoubtedly the best year of the new decade - to the point of making me increase the usual 10 spots to 15. Disappointments are always around the corner, but I couldn’t be happier to write that there weren’t that many in the past twelve months - I actually still enjoyed most of my personal letdowns. This was also the year when Sight & Sound magazine released their once-a-decade Greatest Films of All-Time list, which reminded everyone why Top10s and the like are so subjective. Every viewer has their own genre preferences, and the theater experience is getting increasingly important in this type of comparative post…

In my case, ratings are the least relevant detail when making my list. Instead, I rely on several other criteria when my heart can’t decide between a few movies: replay value, overall enjoyment, memorability… The answer to "how much do I want to watch this film again?" is, most of the time, the deciding factor when I can't find any other aspect to help me make a final decision. So, don't be surprised if you see a higher-rated movie below a lower-rated one. It's MY list, after all. MY personal preferences concerning genre, entertainment, and quality. My #1 film doesn't necessarily need to be the absolute best movie of the year. It can simply be special to me, and that reason alone is enough to warrant a higher spot in my list than other admittedly "better films."

First, I'll share some honorable mentions (films that almost made it), and then, I'll give my Top15. Every movie contains an available review in the clickable image. Enjoy and remember: I love every single film I address here. A movie being a spot higher than others doesn't mean it's better. Also worth remembering is that despite watching hundreds of films, it’s nearly impossible to literally watch everything, which means I might have missed some gems or even highly-anticipated movies that haven’t come out yet where I live (The Fabelmans and Babylon, for example).

(clickable links on each image for its respective spoiler-free review)

Honorable Mentions

15. Violent Night

Violent Night is one of the biggest surprises of the year, instantly becoming a contemporary Christmas classic! David Harbour expertly embodies a shockingly brutal, savage version of Santa Claus that somehow still delivers lovely messages. Fighting sequences feature truly violent practical stunts, taking advantage of the R rating to provide unmeasurable amounts of gore. Creative use of Christmas songs will leave audiences crying with laughter.

A brilliant homage to the seasonal genre classics that offered one of the best theater experiences of the year! For fans of Die Hard and Home Alone, this is a must-watch!

14. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

Pinocchio retells the famous tale of the wooden puppet through visually lovely stop-motion animation, featuring several bold narrative changes that make this remake more human, emotional, and thematically profound than so many other adaptations. Unforgettable dialogues about loss, love, and being the best version of ourselves elevate an adventure of self-discovery. The voice cast couldn't have been better, while the (new) music manages to be both playful and lyrically rich.

Guillermo del Toro simply cannot fail.

13. After Yang

After Yang grew on me as the year went by. Kogonada's beautifully thoughtful storytelling and ASKA's unforgettable, tear-inducing score transform this piece into a contemplative, inspirational cinematic experience. A profound, sincere study of what it means to be a family, what it means to be loved, and how important it is to remember where we come from. A fascinating look into the core of humanity through the heart of a robot — both literally and figuratively. Exceptional performances, but Colin Farrell stands out with a subtle yet potent performance. Occasionally, it loses itself amid its admittedly gorgeous wide, static shots.

Still memorable, nonetheless.

12. The Woman King

The Woman King shares an immensely captivating, culturally significant story about the Agojie, a unit of female warriors who fight to protect their own. Viola Davis shines, but Thuso Mbedu delivers one of the best feature film debut performances I've ever witnessed. The anti-slavery, anti-racism and equal human rights messages are well conveyed, but the authentic, emotionally resonant character dynamics stand out due to a chemistry-filled cast. Action sequences hold high levels of brutality, accompanied by excellent choreography and an energetic score.

One of the best movies of the year... even considering the butchered Portuguese.

11. Bros

Bros is a guileless, honest, insanely hilarious breath of fresh air. Clever satirical comedy rips out loud, back-to-back laughs throughout the entire runtime without ever causing viewers to lose their ear-to-ear smile. Billy Eichner and Luke Macfarlane share more chemistry than hundreds of leads in as many rom-coms. It doesn't shy away from the familiar formulas and cliches of the genre but instead thrives on them, containing a compelling romance and a truly interesting story, paying homage to the LGTBQ+ community along the way.

Some of the most fun I’ve ever had at a movie theater!

10. Cha Cha Real Smooth

Cha Cha Real Smooth holds incredible authenticity elevated by superb performances and an emotionally impactful story. Cooper Raiff builds extremely relatable protagonists who need each other to learn how to overcome their intricate, uncertain stages of life. Raiff and Dakota Johnson share remarkable chemistry, humbly indulging in their flawed human characters.

Appreciating this type of film depends heavily on the life experiences of each viewer due to the genuinely real environment surrounding the entire narrative. Personally, the heartfelt approach to post-graduate life and the brilliant treatment of the autistic daughter touched my heartstrings. Despite being quite simple and even too sweet and naive in several more serious moments, I couldn't recommend this movie more.

It deserved to be seen on the big screen.

9. Scream

Scream is a brilliant "requel" with cleverly fascinating meta-commentary on the horror genre, toxic fandoms, social media, and much more, ultimately deserving a spot in my highly disputed Top15. Boasting a continuously entertaining screenplay filled with exceptionally captivating, relevant dialogue and some of the goriest, bloodiest murders in the famous saga, the directors and writers pay a beautiful homage to the influential creator Wes Craven.

The whole cast - both newcomers and icons - delivers remarkable performances, portraying characters who unapologetically address admittedly cinephile-driven topics that some occasional moviegoers might not fully understand but will still receive pure entertainment on the big screen. As a horror-mystery flick, it keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats, laughing and getting jumpscared for the entire runtime.

One of many great saga reemergences of this year.

8. Prey

**© 2022 20TH CENTURY STUDIOS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.**

Prey lives up to high expectations, being the first movie in the Predator saga to come close to or even surpass the original. Dan Trachtenberg is able to restore the franchise by focusing on a compelling protagonist and the motivational essence of the primary creature, as well as creating one of the most dazzling films of 2022.

Both the cinematography and the score take advantage of the on-location filmmaking to create an almost epic atmosphere, whether through gorgeous wide shots that will leave every viewer amazed or through violent, macabre, exceptionally choreographed action sequences in conjunction with long takes. Amber Midthunder delivers one of the best performances of her career.

For fans of the saga, horror, and/or action, it's not easy to find something better this year.

7. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On transported me back to the precious times I shared with my late grandfather. An extraordinarily creative, moving story surrounded by incredibly genuine humor and filled with meaningful, memorable messages about family, friendship, life, and love. Dean Fleischer-Camp dissects complex themes dissected through the fascinatingly simplistic eye of a small shell in a film that will make any viewer look at life differently. The efficiently short runtime takes the audience through a contemplative yet quite spirited experience.

From hilariously sweet songs to a rather imaginative storytelling method, this is one animated flick you can’t possibly miss!

6. Women Talking

**© 2022 ORION RELEASING LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.**

Women Talking holds a lovely score by Hildur Guðnadóttir and features truly mesmerizing performances - Claire Foy being a clear standout - with emotionally powerful monologues that can break even the least sensitive viewer. Sarah Polley's exceptionally written and choreographed screenplay tremendously enriches the primary debate driven by the fully developed characters, where trauma, religion, acceptance, forgiveness, revenge, and power are some of the most memorable themes.

The detail and complexity that go into each character demonstrate remarkable dedication. Polley treats them all so intricately that, for example, it wouldn't make sense for Ona (Rooney Mara) to pick Salome's (Foy) option, nor vice versa, precisely because of the writer’s care with the script.

Worthy of several (and inevitable) awards.

5. Resurrection

Resurrection is an exceptionally tense, frighteningly realistic psychological thriller, deeply elevated by a masterclass performance from Rebecca Hall. The latter should have become a major contender for awards beyond the festival, but the horror bias remains too strong.

The actress offers an unforgettable, mesmerizing, haunting display of a traumatized mother. From a hypnotizing, uninterrupted 10-minute monologue to nerve-wracking interactions with an also remarkably creepy Tim Roth, Andrew Semans puts Hall through shocking, disturbing plot points and emotionally devastating character development. The lingering cinematography and powerfully effective sound design exponentially increase the suspense and intensity levels.

A divisive, multiple-interpretation ending may divide some viewers, and a slight loss of momentum during the second act may reduce the climax impact, but my investment was already so high in the first few minutes that these minor issues are nothing compared to the rest of the impeccable movie.

Sundance Film Festival has always screened at least one film that ends on my Top15 and this one never left my mind.

4. All Quiet on the Western Front

All Quiet on the Western Front shocked me in the most impressive of ways! An emotionally powerful anti-war epic that portrays WWI in a cruel, merciless, disturbing, truly traumatic manner through the gradually more sensitive eyes of a German soldier. A tense, brutal, extremely captivating two-and-a-half-hour runtime, primarily due to one of the most astonishing cinematographies in recent years - Roger Deakins would be proud of James Friend's masterful work, which deserved the big screen treatment.

Equally impactful score (Volker Bertelmann). Hypnotizing performances. I tend to avoid over-the-top reactions, but after observing countless lists with movies from the genre, it's challenging to find many that are superior to this brilliant adaptation by Edward Berger.

I’m not afraid of writing it: it’s one of the best war films of the CENTURY!

3. Top Gun: Maverick

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Top Gun: Maverick is the return of pure, nostalgic blockbusters, instantly becoming one of the favorite films of any audience member, in addition to offering one of the most riveting, unforgettable theater experiences of the last few years. The best aerial action sequences ever amaze even the highest expectations, not only due to the absolutely insane real stunts but largely because of the flawless contribution of all filmmaking elements.

The surprisingly emotional screenplay helps Tom Cruise deliver one of the best performances of his career. Perfect editing is essential to creating such realism, as well as raising the tension levels for one of the best final acts within the respective genre. And, finally, the memorable score loaded with epic tracks makes the theater experience the only way this magnificent work should be seen.

Superior to the original in every way.

2. The Batman

**© 2021 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.**

The Batman deserves all the hype it generated and then some. Matt Reeves delivers a distinctly darker, more intense, frighteningly realistic noir thriller than past adaptations, with an aggressively vengeful Bruce Wayne / Batman and a fear-inducing, mysterious, lunatic Riddler.

Greig Fraser's cinematography - bone-chilling "ins-and-outs" of Batman and stunning footage of Gotham - and Michael Giacchino's score - genuinely addictive, elevates the entire film - make this adaptation the best-looking and best-scored cinematic version of the Batman ever. Even with the narrative focus on the detective work, the action sequences are exhilarating and beautifully shot. The entire cast is extraordinary, especially Paul Dano and Robert Pattinson - the latter destroys all skepticism around his talent.

Apart from a short period at the end of the second act, the three hours fly by. It's not just one of the best movies of the year but also a fair contender in the debate of the best comic book movie of all time.

1. Everything Everywhere All at Once

Everything Everywhere All at Once finally puts the Daniels on the mainstream radar. With such a low budget, it's almost humiliating that so many expensive Hollywood blockbusters can't even reach the heels of so much originality, imagination, excitement, and emotion. A movie so inherently complex boasting so many layered ideas that should have never worked as well as it did.

Michelle Yeoh leads the troops in a film that also pays homage to the iconic career of the actress who, at 59 years old, accompanies the fantastic stunt team in truly outlandish fights. The mother-daughter relationship, as the emotional core of the story, is the connecting element between everything, holding so many memorable scenes with some of the best writing of the whole year. It could have had an even more powerful climax, but it still induces tears and a genuine sense of concern for the characters. Technically, all the elements are so creatively unique that it warrants the clickbait "you've never seen anything like this".

Never once left my #1 spot. What a movie!

Opinion Pieces

My 15 Favorite Movies of 2022