My top 10 films of 2022
This year is coming to a close so it’s time to reflect on my top 10 films of 2022.
I think I’ve been pretty obvious about my love for Aftersun so it’s no surprise that takes the top spot on my list. But what other films made my top 10? Read on below.
(These are strictly UK dates only, click on the title to read the review).
I cannot state how much I love this film. It is the only new film released in 2022 that I’ve seen twice and it punched me in the gut emotionally both times. Paul Mescal is fantastic as young father Calum, who takes his daughter Sophie on holiday to Turkey. But the real revelation is newcomer Frankie Corio, who is so natural and effortless.
I did not expect to love this movie as much as I did. Gina Prince-Bythewood‘s historical epic, about female warriors in the Kingdom of Dahomey in Africa, is an entertaining, crowd-pleasing blockbuster with incredible action scenes as well as meaningful quieter moments. Viola Davis shows off her a whole new side to herself as the formidable Nanisca. She is supported by the impressive Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim and John Boyega.
I adored Billy Eichner‘s gay romantic comedy so much. I haven’t laughed that loud and that hard in the cinema in ages. It is an absolute riot with killer one-liners and pop-culture references but it also has a lot of heart. I’m sad this didn’t get seen by more people because it is so witty and funny.
On paper, I wasn’t sure this comedy-drama was going to work. Emma Thompson plays a widow named Nancy who hires a sex worker for a night of passion at a hotel – but it’s so much more than that. Daryl McCormack‘s Leo helps Nancy rediscover her sexual side and learn to love herself. Their conversations are fascinating and I loved seeing Nancy come away from their encounters more and more empowered.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Del Toro’s dark and gothic reimaging of the classic Pinocchio tale really surpassed my expectations. The voice cast – particularly Gregory Mann as Pinocchio and David Bradley as Geppetto – is spot-on, the stop-motion animation is technically astonishing and the story is just wonderful. It ticked all the boxes for me.
Pixar delivered another winner this year with Turning Red, about a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian schoolgirl who can turn into a giant red panda. Turning Red is a delightful, feel-good coming-of-age film with a wacky lead character and great music. I absolutely adored it and would happily watch it again.
All Quiet on the Western Front
Edward Berger‘s film follows a German soldier named Paul (Felix Kammerer) as he enlists in the Army during the closing years of the First World War. It is an unflinching, brutal and bloody anti-war epic with stunning cinematography. I came away feeling angry and upset over the futility of the war.
Who would have expected a sequel 36 years in the making to be this good?! Tom Cruise is back as Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell, who is tasked with leading a team of the Navy’s top aviators to pull off an almost impossible special assignment. The flight sequences are insane and the entertainment really levels up with the third act. Blockbuster cinema at its very best.
The last two positions in my top 10 have moved around a lot. But as of today, Triangle of Sadness feels like my no. 9. I love “eat the rich” movies and this satire pulls the concept off so well. I adored the first chapter – I thought it was written so well – and the second chapter is crazy and vomit-inducing. I didn’t love the final chapter as much as the rest but I respected what it had to say.
This will appear on most people’s 2021 lists but it came out in the UK in January 2022 so it counts! This drama is a very simple one-location movie that follows two sets of parents who meet up to talk about an unspeakable tragedy that involved their two late sons years before. Martha Plimpton, Jason Isaacs, Ann Dowd and Reed Birney give an acting tour-du-force and it’s well worth watching.