A list of… Favourite Films of 2023
Updated: Dec 30, 2023
2023 felt like the strongest year for films in quite awhile. While the writer's strike delayed quite a number of films until the latter quarter (or even to next year), we saw new films from a number of acclaimed directors including Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan and one of my favourites, Yorgos Lanthimos.
Here are some of my picks that were released in 2023…
- . Poor Things2023Directed by Yorgos LanthimosYorgos Lanthimos delivers his most ambitious film to date and Emma Stone gives one of the best performances of the year. Unlike anything else.
- . Past Lives2023Directed by Celine SongA beautiful and subtle story that avoids cliché arcs and lives in the quiet moments of the lives of two kindred spirits.
- . Killers of the Flower Moon2023Directed by Martin ScorseseWith one of the best perfomances of the year by Lily Gladstone, Scorsese delivers a haunting and epic film that sheds light on one of the many atrocities.
- . Anatomy of a Fall2023Directed by Justine TrietA small film with a huge performance from Sandra Hüller.
- . The Holdovers2023Directed by Alexander PaynePaul Giammati does what he does best as a curmudgeonly instructor at a prep school who is forced to spend the holidays with students who have nowhere else to go.
- . Barbie2023Directed by Greta GerwigThe most fun I've had watching a movie in ages. The height of what is possible with a combination of writers like Gerwig and Bombach and a bigger budget studio production.
- . The Zone of Interest2023Directed by Jonathan GlazerUnsettling… months later, I'm still not sure what to make of it. But have I stopped thinking about it? Not at all.
- . Oppenheimer2023Directed by Christopher NolanTechnically brilliant, featuring a great performance from Cillian Murphy… a must-see on the big screen.
- . Evil Does Not Exist2023Directed by Ryusuke HamaguchiA quiet film that explores the relationship between communities and nature that takes time to explore the quiet life of a small town before taking an unexpected turn.
- . When Evil Lurks2023Directed by Demián RugnaThe most impactful horror film of the year. Unsettling and beautifully shot, a must-see for genre fans.