2023 A.D., the year of the Barbenheimer phenomenon. There have been great films, slightly less great films, some notable disappointments, but like every respectable page of cinema, we couldn’t miss out on creating a Top 10 of our favorite films of 2023.
Welcome to a journey through the world of cinema in 2023! Yes, we might be a few months late, but we preferred to wait for the release of some genuine masterpieces before putting together this list, ensuring that we offer you only the best. And if we happen to discover another 2023 film that deserves a place of honor here, we won’t hesitate to update the ranking! The past year has gifted the big screen with an exceptional variety of cinematic works, making the selection for this list a challenging yet thrilling task. Get ready to immerse yourself in a selection of films that have captured the imagination and eyes of audiences worldwide. It’s time to discover the most extraordinary and unforgettable cinematic works of 2023. Without further ado, let’s begin this unprecedented cinematic journey.
Let’s dive right into the film ‘Monster,’ directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. According to Letterboxd, the plot goes something like this: when the young son Minato starts behaving strangely, his mother senses that something is amiss. Upon discovering that a teacher is responsible, she storms into the school demanding to know what’s going on. But as the story unfolds through the eyes of the mother, the teacher, and the child, the truth gradually emerges.
‘Monster’ is a film that thrives on the interplay of perspectives and is anchored by a superb screenplay that allows for the emotional growth felt throughout the viewing. The thematic contrasts are compelling and also reflected in the choice of locations; one example being (without revealing spoilers) the contrast between the city’s concrete jungle and the green area where the city has failed to take hold (the abandoned train). Overall, it’s a film we thoroughly enjoyed, especially for its clever approach to narrative structure.
Click here to discover where to watch it: JUSTWATCH. You can find the trailer at this link.
9. “The Killer”
In ninth place, we find David Fincher and his film ‘The Killer.’ The director brings to the screen the story of a professional hitman, which is no surprise considering the film’s theme and Fincher’s mastery in handling such subjects. He’s practically a hitman of cinematic technique, almost illustrating his personal directing technique through the actions of… a hitman?! However, despite expectations, ‘The Killer’ has received mixed critical and audience reactions, generating divergent opinions.
As for us, the thematic proximity of the film (in certain aspects) to ‘Le Samouraï‘ and the entire first act justify its presence on this list.
Click here to discover where to watch it: JUSTWATCH. You can find the trailer at this link.
Eighth place goes to “May December” by Todd Haynes. The plot, as described on Letterboxd, goes like this: twenty years after their infamous tabloid love story held the country spellbound, a married couple buckles under pressure when an actress arrives to research for a film about their past. We can assure you that the plot is just the superficial aspect of a film that is anything but superficial, and for this reason alone, it has every right to be included in this list. To learn more, we invite you to take a look at our article on the film in question.
Click here to discover where to watch it: JUSTWATCH. You can find the trailer at this link.
7. “The Captain” (“Io Capitano”)
In seventh place, we have “Io Capitano” by Matteo Garrone. A film that, as the plot on Letterboxd tells, speaks of “Seydou, a teenage boy who, together with his cousin Moussa, decides to leave Dakar in Senegal and make his way to Europe. A contemporary odyssey through the dangers of the desert, Libyan detention centers, and the perils of the sea.”
“Io Capitano,” despite some imperfections, is a film that is at times harrowing, risking to split the audience in two, eliciting intense emotional reactions, sometimes bordering on pure anger. Seydou’s performance is remarkable, and the film place on this list is necessary.
To learn more, we invite you to take a look at our article on the film in question.
Click here to discover where to watch it: JUSTWATCH. You can find the trailer at this link.
For the next films on this list, click on the next page.
