Yeah… I’m becoming a bit of record now when it comes to these lists. If you remember in my top 10 of 2021 list last year, and by extent, my top 10 list from 2020 as well, I was going to publish this year’s one much earlier than the previous years. Most likely around February if I played my cards right. Unfortunately, that did not happen. A lot of things came up over the past 6 months that prevented me from finding the time to sit down and write this list out like my personal life, work, procasts and so forth. Plus, it took me a while to catch up on some films that I missed seeing from 2022 to see if they were any that were worthy to be on the list. With that out of the way, what did I think of 2022 overall in terms of cinema? After both 2020 and 2021 took a bit of hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 was definitely an bigger and better year in terms of quality. When you see my list, you’ll understand why that is. Now before I go into my final official top 10 films of 2022 list, here are all my honourable mentions from the year. Enjoy!
NOTE: I’ve only included films that were officially released theatrically, on home media or on streaming platforms in either Australia, the U.K. or the U.S. during 2022. However some films that I saw at film festivals in 2022 won’t be included if they haven’t had a official release in either of those three countries during that year.
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that the following list contains images of deceased persons.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS (In Alphabetical Order):
All The Beauty And Bloodshed
Ambulance
Apollo 10 1⁄2: A Space Age Childhood
The Batman
Beavis And Butthead Do The Universe
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Crimes Of The Future
Everything Everywhere All At Once
The Fabelmans
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Hatching
The Innocents
Marcel The Shell With Shoes On
Pleasure
Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
Resurrection
Run Sweetheart Run
The Stranger
Tár
Three Thousand Years Of Longing
Thirteen Lives
Triangle Of Sadness
Vortex
Werewolf By Night
…And now onto my official top 10 films of 2022…
10. WASH MY SOUL IN THE RIVER’S FLOW
(Dir: Philippa Bateman)
“This documentary on the working collaboration and love story of legendary Indigious Australian singer/songwriters Ruby Hunter & Archie Roach is a truly exquiste film that perfectly captures what made them great as artists. The performances of their songs were simply sublime.”
9. YOU WON’T BE ALONE
(Dir: Goran Stolevski)
“While it took me a little bit get into the vibe of it at first but once I did, I absolutely loved it. This was an truly exceptional film that uniquely blends folk-horror, fairytale, coming-of-age and existential drama to surprisingly life-affirming effect. Writer/director Goran Stolevski is on track to be one of next great filmmakers.”
8. ELVIS
(Dir: Baz Lurhmann)
“He does it again! While his approach to it won’t be for anyone, Baz Lurhmann’s latest has his trademark style in full effect in this truly captivating, vibrate, kinetic, unique and emotional biopic that truly captures the essence of ‘The King’. Austin Butler is extraordinary in his star-making performance as ‘Elvis’.”
7. THE NORTHMAN
(Dir: Robert Eggers)
“While it’s definitely his most accessible and mainstream film to date, director Robert Eggers continues his winning streak with this absolutely fanatastic and mesmerising historical action film that’s still of the same qualities that have defined his previous work. The entire were all terrific in their roles.”
6. EO
(Dir: Jerzy Skolimowski)
“Who would have thought a film set from the POV of a donkey would one of the most astounding pieces of cinema I’ve seen lately. Jerzy Skolimowski’s is a truly sublime film that I found equally captivating, thrilling, surreal, heartbreaking and visually stunning.”
5. HAPPENING
(Dir: Audrey Diwan)
“ Given what has happened with the over-turning of Roe v. Wade in the United States, this abortion themed French period drama is even more topical and timelier than ever. It’s a powerful, captivating, empathetic, heartbreaking, shocking and superby crafted film that has a brilliant turn from Anamaria Vartolomei.”
4. NOPE
(Dir: Jordan Peele)
“As much as loved Jordan Peele’s previous films, this is definitely my favourite work of his so far. This was an absolutely exceptional sci-fi/horror film that’s brilliantly crafted and acted, funny, scary, surprising, thematically compelling and a pure spectacle from start to finish.”
3. THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN
(Dir: Martin McDonagh)
“While Martin McDonagh’s previous films have all been terrific, his latest is definitely his best work to date. It’s a simple plotted but absolutely captivating, complex and brilliantly crafted tragicomedy drama that features some truly fantastic performances from its entire cast. Just sublime.”
2. AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER
(Dir: James Cameron)
“I said it before and I’ll say it again: never underestimate James Cameron. His long-awaited sequel to his massive 2009 blockbuster is an absolutely fantastic, action-packed, emotional and visually stunning film that’s even better than the already brilliant first film. The cast were great and the CGI continues to amaze.”
1. BLONDE
(Dir: Andrew Dominik)
“While I can definitely why this has been very divisive, especially in regards to how it approaches certain aspects of its story, but personally, I found this psychological and dreamlike fictitious retelling of Marilyn Monroe’s tragic life story to be an absolutely enthralling experience from beginning to end. It’s a beautiful, pretentious, heartbreaking, disturbing, hypnotic, problematic, surreal, self-indulgent, thought-provoking, flawed, absorbing, confronting, artistic, visceral, challenging and stunning film in every way in equal measure. Ana De Armas’s turn as “Marilyn” is up there as one of the most astonishing performances I’ve seen in a film in recent years. Even though it’s reaction is very polarising now, don’t be surprised if it’s considered a masterpiece in 10-20 years time.”
Well, there you have it. Those are my official top 10 films of 2022. Agree or disagree? Let your voices be heard in the comments below or on the official Super Network Facebook page!
Article written by Bede Jermyn
The Super Network 