Well, folks, we’ve made it to another year full of promises that will delight or disappoint us. There’s a new Super Mario Bros movie, the fifth phase of the MCU is starting up, and plenty more. 2022 was also a year full of promises, with some living up to expectations while others failed to deliver. We got the end to David Gordon Green’s Halloween trilogy, a new Top Gun sequel, and the long-awaited Avatar 2. There were some good movies, some great films, and plenty of garbage pumped out by Hollywood in 2022. Well, now it’s time to separate the cream of the crop from the bottom of the barrel again. As always, this list consists of movies I saw in 2022, so if there are any I missed, that’s why. So, without further ado, here is my list of the best and worst films of 2022!
Honorable Mentions
#10: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Following the tragic news of Chadwick Boseman’s death, making a sequel to 2018’s Black Panther seemed impossible. Given the difficult task, it’s remarkable that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever came out as good as it did. The sequel boasts some of the best performances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially from Letitia Wright and Angela Bassett. The supporting cast also does a great job, and Tenoch Huerta Mejía’s Namor is one of the better MCU villains. There is a great variety of action sequences, culminating in an epic showdown between Namor and the new Black Panther. Sure, it probably would’ve been easier to recast T’Challa rather than kill his character, but I respect Marvel’s decision. Regardless of your feelings towards Phase 4, this film was a great way to cap it off. Overall, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a worthy follow-up to the 2018 megahit.
#9: Pearl
Not since Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo has a sequel/prequel been released the same year as the original. Ti West’s X opened in March 2022, with the prequel Pearl coming out just a few months later. While you don’t necessarily have to see the prequel to understand X, it makes for a good companion piece. Pearl captures the aesthetic of old Hollywood films like The Wizard of Oz and mixes it with shocking violence. At the heart of the film is Mia Goth, who continues to prove she’s a force to be reckoned with. Despite her unhinged character, Goth makes Pearl sympathetic to her struggle to be a star despite her family’s objections. While lighter on the violence than West’s earlier film, it’s still shocking enough, thanks to the performances and filming techniques. Pearl may not be the best horror film of 2022, but it’s up there.
#8: Elvis
Since 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody, there has been a mini-boom in musician biopics, from 2019’s Rocketman to 2022’s Moonage Daydream. Then you have Baz Luhrman’s love letter to the King of Rock & Roll, and it’s one of the best. Even if you’re not the biggest Elvis fan, his story is still fascinating, and this movie perfectly captures it. On top of looking so similar to Elvis, Austin Butler gives one of the year’s best performances as Mr. Pressly. He manages to capture the sophisticated charm of Elvis while also bringing out the humanity in him. Tom Hanks also delivers a compelling performance as the dubious Colonel Parker, who’s both villainous and oddly charming. The musical numbers are great, the story is riveting, and Luhrman’s direction is fittingly bombastic and over-the-top. In closing, Elvis is a fantastic biopic that does justice to the King in every way possible.
#7: The Batman
Like many actors cast to play The Caped Crusader, Robert Pattinson got his fair share of mockery. However, like Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, and Ben Affleck before, Pattinson proved his naysayers wrong in Matt Reeves’ dark adaptation. Not since Tim Burton’s 1989 adaptation has Gotham City looked more crime-ridden and rundown while also having a macabre beauty. Colin Farrell is virtually unrecognizable as The Penguin, and Paul Dano gives one of his best performances as The Riddler. Zoë Kravitz is electrifyingly stunning as Selina Kyle/Catwoman and has fantastic chemistry with Pattinson. The action sequences are well-choreographed and have a fluid rhythm, thanks to Oscar-winning cinematographer Greig Fraser. It might be devoid of humor or fun, and Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne is drastically different, but it still works. 2022’s The Batman is easily the best adaptation of Bob Kane & Bill Finger’s creation since The Dark Knight.
#6: The Whale
Before its theatrical release, much noise was being made about The Whale during its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. Thankfully, I’m here to say that Darren Aronofsky’s look at isolation and regret lives up to the hype. Brendan Fraser gives the best performance of his career, and if he doesn’t get an Oscar, humanity has no hope. The supporting cast performs phenomenally, particularly Sadie Sink and Hong Chau, as Fraser’s only connection to the outside world. The 4×3 aspect ratio might put off audiences used to widescreen movies, but it helps create a sense of isolation. This film asks the audience to confront issues with sincerity and honesty rather than dancing around the issues. Admittedly, some dead spots could’ve been trimmed, but it’s still a compelling movie that deserves your attention. The Whale is one of Darren Aronofsky’s best films and one of the year’s best.
#5: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
In the past few decades, Nicolas Cage has earned a reputation for taking whatever terrible project comes his way. Along comes a movie that pokes fun at and celebrates the Oscar winner’s career and eccentricities. Not only is Cage willing to take potshots at himself, but the film also explores the desire to stay relevant. The film’s highlight is the scenes between Cage and Pedro Pascal, which could almost be a separate movie. Watching them play off each other is a joy, like seeing two old friends messing around. The rest of the cast does a fantastic job, either helping to anchor the insanity or offering more comedic relief. As I said in my original review, even nonfans of Nicolas Cage will find something to enjoy here. Overall, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is funny, wild, and surprisingly heartfelt.
#4: Top Gun: Maverick
Legacy sequels are risky: they can honor the original, like Halloween, or fall apart, like The Matrix: Resurrections. When a sequel to Top Gun was announced more than 30 years later, many people, myself included, were skeptical. Fortunately, when Top Gun: Maverick arrived, Joseph Kosinski proved that a legacy sequel could honor and even outdo the original. There’s plenty of nostalgia for fans of the original, but even people unfamiliar with it can enjoy this movie. While Tom Cruise leads the charge, the rest of the supporting cast all have moments to shine. Miles Teller, in particular, has one of the better character arcs in the movie and perfectly contrasts with Cruise. The action sequences are exhilarating, and there’s a good mix of humor, suspense, and even some heartfelt moments. So whether you’re a seasoned pilot or a rookie learning the ropes, Top Gun: Maverick is an exciting thrill ride.
#3: X
Between all the blockbusters and franchise pictures, a movie will appear out of nowhere and instantly grab your attention. That’s how I felt when I first saw the trailer for Ti West’s X, and it exceeded my expectations. Not only was it the kind of adult horror film that the industry needed, but it also had a message. The film explores themes of regret, age, beauty, and self-worth in a way that doesn’t overshadow the actual content. West took influence from The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Boogie Nights but made the film work independently. What also elevates it is the acting, which is excellent all across the board, especially from Goth, Snow, and Ortega. Some shocking imagery might be too off-putting for some audiences, but genre enthusiasts should be more than satisfied. X is the type of movie the horror genre needs more of.
#2: Everything Everywhere All At Once
I mentioned with X that there are movies that seem to come out of nowhere that end up surprising you. Then, there are ones that aren’t big-budget studio films that everyone and their grandmother can’t stop talking about. While it would seem like that at first glance, I’m happy to say Everything Everywhere All at Once doesn’t disappoint. Given its outlandish premise, the filmmakers were able to make it digestible to general audiences without insulting their intelligence. The film manages to mix science-fiction, action, comedy, and drama in a way that feels natural, which isn’t easy. It helps that you have Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Jamie Lee Curtis giving some excellent performances. If ever there were a film that earned universal acclaim that deserved it, it would be this one. Everything Everywhere All at Once is a cinematic experience I will never forget.
#1: The Northman
Since 2015’s The Witch, Robert Eggers has become a filmmaker I watch closely for his next project to be announced. He continued to defy my expectations with 2019’s The Lighthouse, and he does it again with The Northman. Like Eggers’ other films, this one could be classified as “style over substance,” but I think that’s a gross oversimplification. Movies have always been a visual medium, and Eggers takes full advantage of that, using visuals to tell the story. There’s enough dialogue to move the story forward, but you could watch it on mute and get the same effect. It also proves that a simple revenge story is all you need so long as it’s told well. The performances are terrific, the sets and costumes look incredible, and the action is intense. It’s for these and many other reasons why The Northman is my favorite film of 2022!
Worst/Most Disappointing Films
