In a year that saw Will Smith slap Chris Rock at the Oscars, masses of ‘Gentle-minions’ swarming cinemas, and Harry Styles talking about movies feeling like movies… 2022 was a bombastic return to the box office! We saw a truckload of blockbusters and indie-gems releasing on the big screen and at home – what a time to be a film-lover! I’ve compiled a list of ten of the best of this year and where you can find them because I’m good to you. Now if you’re looking for your next Saturday-night flick, your search can cease. Here we go…
10) Bones and All
Directed by Luca Guadagnino.
Where to watch: Cinemas
After his romantic coming-of-age film Call Me by Your Name (2017), and his version of Suspiria (2018) showing his skills for the horror genre… Luca Guadagnino blends those together in this genre-bending character study Bones and All. The film tells the story of two teenage cannibals drifting across America and falling in love with each other… because after all, what’s more romantic than cannibalism?
Don’t let the premise deter you, as the film is actually quite beautiful. It is rated ‘18’ for a reason, there’s the blood and gore you could expect from people with that way of life. But there’s so much more to it. The exploration of these characters and their otherness, as well as the well-placed discoveries about their pasts, make for a gripping narrative with a very believable central romance. Taylor Russell is incredible as the focal point of the film and her chemistry with Timothée Chalamet, who is great as usual, is lovely to endure. On top of this, the cinematography is stunning, showing us exactly what we need to see, and some of the beauty in the backroads of America.
If you’re in the mood for a proper film, one that sucks you in and keeps you in its grasp for the whole runtime, one that hits every mark and tells a story that forgoes your classic genre-conventions… go seek this out at your local cinema!
9) Bodies Bodies Bodies
Directed by Halina Reijn
Where to watch: blu ray, buy/rent online
The lack of commas in the title might not be the scariest thing about this film…
When an entitled group of friends plan a party in a remote family mansion, a party game takes a deadly turn and they find out that there is more flowing than just the drinks, and there could be a killer among them.
Bodies Bodies Bodies is a great murder mystery in the form of a horror-comedy, bringing together a band of fresh talent with careers to watch out for! Every member of the cast smash it in their roles with the standout being Rachel Seligman. After her head-turning performance in Shiva Baby (2020), she once again proved that her line delivery is next-to-none. She’s joined by others including Pete Davidson who is a fine addition to the cast.
The film is a satire, and you should know that before going in. They make tiktoks, and they say words like “gaslight” and “toxic”, so be prepared to cringe… but that’s the point. If satirical humour works for you then you’ll have a lot of fun.
8) Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Directed by Rian Johnson
Where to watch: Netflix (December 23)
Following up his masterclass in original storytelling that was Knives Out (2019), Rian Johnson brings back Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) for a new mystery in Glass Onion. Tech billionaire Miles Bron invites his friends for a getaway on his private Greek island. What began as a fun weekend takes a turn when someone turns up dead.
After their eye-watering cash-splash of $469 million for the rights to make two sequels to the 2019 murder-mystery, Netflix are the ones bringing this film to screens in an interesting way. They decided to put the film in cinemas for one week only in November and they were big on it being a limited time stay! So, you’ll be able to find it streaming exclusively on Netflix just in time for Christmas and I wholeheartedly recommend you check it out when you can!
Bringing together an all-star cast, the talent is poured in front of the cameras much as Johnson does from behind it. It’s hard to pick favourites when everyone is firing on all cylinders, but Daniel Craig, Janelle Monae and Edward Norton deserve shoutouts.
In a year of strong murder-mysteries, no one does it like the Knives Out films and it is full of twists, turns, and laugh-out-loud jokes, making for an all-round fun experience.
7) The Banshees of Inisherin
Directed by Martin McDonagh
Where to watch: Selected cinemas, Disney+ (December 21)
Try and say that title ten times fast!
Set on a remote island off the coast of Ireland, two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them.
Colin Farrell and Brendon Gleeson give great performances, along with an exciting star, coming higher up the ranks, Barry Keoghan. They’re all fantastic and one aspect of the film that stood out to me was how believable the inhabitants of this island were. The tone is bleak and emotional but there’s a wicked sense of humour woven throughout which had me laughing out loud. This is one that may have gone under the radar but when this gets more buzz around Oscar-season – remember that you heard it praised here first!
6) Nope
Directed by Jordan Peele
Where to watch: DVD/blu ray, buy/rent online
A man and his sister discover something sinister in the skies above their California horse ranch, while the owner of a nearby theme park tries to profit from the mysterious, otherworldly phenomenon.
The third film from the writer/director Jordan Peele sees him take a side-step from the horror to tell this sci-fi spectacle film akin to M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs (2002). This is exciting as it proves he’s not just a subversive horror director because he has cracked that with Get Out (2017) and Us (2019), and he’s trying new things. He does a bit of genre-bending too with there being horror elements littered throughout. This is, along with many on this list, original cinema at its finest! A gripping story that kept me engaged all the way through, characters you root for and some interesting themes that you could spend a while unpacking.
5) Turning Red
Directed by Domee Shi
Where to watch: Disney+, DVD/blu ray, buy/rent online
Entering your teenage years is an awkward time for everyone, but for thirteen-year-old Mei, it’s even more difficult. When she gets too excited, she transforms into a giant red panda.
Turning Red was the last of Pixar’s straight-to-Disney+ releases at a time where this really should have released in cinemas, an ‘age of streaming’ problem I hope we’ve seen the back of. A departure from the typical ‘look’ you’d expect to see from the studio, this feels like the filmmakers got so much creative freedom with the style. There is clear inspiration from anime, the animation is vibrant and fun, and has a more cartoonish feel to it which works brilliantly. It's a great coming-of-age story that doesn’t pander to its audience (no pun intended). Perfect for this generation, it tells children to embrace growing up and being their own person, which is a lovely message.
4) Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers
Directed by Akiva Schaffer
Where to watch: Disney+
Chip and Dale live amongst cartoons and humans in modern-day Los Angeles, but their lives are quite different now. When a former cast mate mysteriously disappears, Chip and Dale must repair their broken friendship and save their friend.
Now I know what you’re thinking… what is this doing here? But hear me out, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is the biggest surprise of the year! Disney’s spiritual successor to Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988) is incredible and remains charming, even with the heaps of cameos littered throughout.
An engaging story with the likeable duo in the leads provide laughs throughout mean that the film works regardless of the surprising easter eggs we see dotted about. We explore different areas of this world in a way that furthers the story rather than distracting us from it. So many others in recent years have got it wrong, this one makes the world feel natural where it makes sense to see these characters you wouldn’t expect to be there, well, be there. There are some lovely moments and homages for both Disney properties and other film companies’ stuff.
This one is fun for all the family and there’s a strong case for this being the best of Disney’s original streaming films. There are cute, talking animals for the kids, jokes for the adults and plenty for film buffs to enjoy too!
3) The Batman
Directed by Matt Reeves
Where to watch: Sky Movies, DVD/blu ray, buy/rent online
In his second year of fighting crime, Batman uncovers corruption in Gotham City that connects to his own family while facing a serial killer known as the Riddler.
The only superhero film on the list and there’s a reason for that. Where Marvel pumps out their films in the franchise machine, DC gave Matt Reeves some space to breathe and he created this proper detective-noir film, disconnected from the world of the Justice League, giving the film much more respect and makes it feel much more satisfying to watch. Robert Pattinson is great in the role as this gritty, troubled Bruce Wayne who blurs the line between Bruce Wayne and Batman, it feels evident here which one really is the mask. He’s unpredictable and angry, finding his moral code and working out who he wants to be for the city. There are some scenes where it feels that the ‘hero’ is actually a monster. People cower in fear at the mere idea that he is around which is shown in the perfect Halloween night opening scene.
Zoë Kravitz’s Catwoman is excellent, Paul Dano’s Riddler is disturbing and works so well as a different type of villain, as well as other cast members really bringing Gotham City to life. Reeves makes the city feel authentic, like a real, dark, dingy place that no one in their right mind would like to live in. The cinematography in itself is one of the stars of the film with oranges and golden glows hammering home the rich, transcendent story. Everything feels deliberate and there are some moments here that feel like some of the best you’ll see in film.
This three-hour epic of a film packs in all these incredible performances, a compelling mystery at the heart of the story, gritty fight scenes, thrilling chase scenes and stunning cinematography in a film that feels special. This is not your average comic book film. This is cinema!
2) Top Gun: Maverick
Directed by Joseph Kosinski
Where to watch: Selected cinemas, DVD/blu ray, buy/rent online, Paramount Plus (December 22)
After thirty years, Maverick is still pushing the envelope as a top naval aviator, but must confront ghosts of his past when he leads Top Gun's elite graduates on a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly it.
Top Gun: Maverick is the box-office sensation that keeps on giving. After its release in May, it has grossed over $1.48 billion and has stayed in cinemas pretty consistently since. As I’m writing this, the film has already had its physical release, but is having what I see as a victory lap in cinemas, showing in premium formats such as 4DX once again. Six months in cinemas… that just doesn’t happen anymore. People love this film! It united generations, demanded repeat viewings and showed people the importance of the big screen in a huge way.
Serving as a legacy sequel to the 1986 film, Maverick takes what the first film did, but improves it in every way! The aerial scenes are a huge step up from the original and you really see the money on-screen. They used their budget to make it look the best it can, and this is where the film becomes an all-timer. They were so exhilarating, tense, well-structured so they were never boring, staying either tense or super fun. It's clear that they went practical where they could as well, and I really appreciated that. They also played with the audience's emotions consistently throughout so go in expecting to go through the motions!
The new recruits that Maverick must train are so likeable and full of charisma so you’re rooting for them through all their training to become the best of the best. Miles Teller is the standout in the best casting for a character’s son in a film I’ve ever seen. He looks just like Anthony Edwards’ Goose from the first film it’s crazy.
Then of course there’s Tom Cruise, who continues to blow audiences away as the ultimate action star (sorry Stallone and Schwarzenegger fans). No one does it like Cruise! He has the charm and the downright skill to really pull off these stunts and it pays off.
Top Gun: Maverick is a testament to everyone involved and is one that anyone can enjoy. The character dynamics are great, and it has some of the best action scenes I've ever seen in a film. There is your typical love story that wasn’t needed and the odd cheesy moment, but this film deserves all of them. Masterful!
1) Cha Cha Real Smooth
Directed by Cooper Raiff
Where to watch: Apple TV+
A man feeling lost in life finds his passion as a bah mitzvah party starter, and strikes up a unique bond with a young woman and her teenage daughter.
This is a criminally underseen film. Cooper Raiff follows up his directorial debut Freshman Year (2020) to bring another excellent coming-of-age film to our screens. Raiff directed, wrote, produced, edited and starred in the main role and does it flawlessly. He just gets it - the human experience - and the highs, lows and everything in between that comes with it.
It’s so easy to fall in love with the people in this film as this is what some call a ‘hang out film’ there isn’t a large through line, it’s just people living life. The relationships are so natural and endearing, the characters just feel like genuine, real people. It’s clear that he really lives his life and picks things from it to put in his work. His writing as is to die for, so witty and full of heart, always making use of conversations or even silence. He really knows what he's doing.
The film stars Cooper Raiff, Dakota Johnson and Leslie Mann (who all do an excellent job) and is streaming on Apple TV+ now (you can get a one-week free trial!). Seriously, if you take one thing away from this list… watch this film! It has so much heart, humour and so much more to enjoy.
With Cooper Raiff already proving himself to be a bright spark at the age of 25; he is absolutely one to watch!
That’s it… the ten best films of the year. We’ve had some great films, a few stinkers, and everything in between but the choice, the fact these filmmakers got to bring their visions to life and the enjoyment we get from them are just a few reasons why films are so important. Support your local cinemas, watch the blockbusters, the smaller films and the ones you’d never expect to like, because that’s the joy of films.
If you want to see more of my thoughts on these films and many, many more, follow my Letterboxd @richardord_04.
Happy New Year from the Loop team and look forward to another year of fantastic films!
- By Richard Ord
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