Every year, it is hard to tell what kind of movies Hollywood is going to produce, some of which are enjoyable, and on the other hand, some leave a bitter taste. 2022 was no different. The year was quite a rollercoaster with the extremes of the highs soaring and the lows crashing hard, such that one could call it a year of the superpower failure, the triumph of blockbusters, the ugliness of horror sequels, and the amazingness of arthouse experiments.
If you happen to be a movie buff who plans to watch marathons or just an individual who likes taking on Twitter to debate Rotten Tomatoes scores, then a best-and-worst list might be something you find strangely comforting. It acts as both a celebration and a roast session. So, get your popcorn ready, maybe a drink for the difficult moments, and we will jump into my selection of the 10 best and worst films of 2022, love, shade, and disbelief that you would expect from someone who spends way too much time in the dark, coming down the list in reverse order.
The Worst Movies of 2022
10. Dashcam
Horror has been on a hot streak of late… but Dashcam puts a spanner in that works. This is the sort of film that reminds you the genre can still flounder big time. The lead protagonist is so obnoxiously confrontational, you’ll be willing the jump scares just to silence her. The film confuses confusion with tension and turns out to be more annoying than scary. Unless you’re into headache-sports, wannabe-edgy rubbish, stay well clear.
9. The Bubble
Netflix assumed we required a COVID lockdown-set comedy about making a movie. Guess we didn’t. What could’ve been witty satire comes across as one of the year’s most tone-deaf, self-indulgent endeavors. A cast of talented players, which includes Karen Gillan, Pedro Pascal, and Keegan-Michael Key, can’t elevate humor that fails to take off, and a premise that overstays its welcome, but ultimately, the entire production feels like a Hollywood inside joke that nobody outside the bubble requested to be privy to.
8. Morbius
Indeed, the meme film. Morbius is the film that comic book fans can only watch to laugh at the hilarious mistakes committed by the filmmakers. Jared Leto did what he’s best at with his over-the-top performance, the screenplay is so boring that it makes you fall asleep, and the editing appears as if someone has done it in a rush. Let’s just say that the post-credit scene is as good as a hole in the ground for a disaster. The only thing that this film has added to the world of pop culture is the ironic “It’s Morbin’ time!” meme, which, to be honest, is more enjoyable than the entire flick.
7. Halloween Ends
Michael Myers was not that bad. Laurie Strode was not that bad. The fans were not that bad either. Halloween Ends is attempting to wrap up the saga, but in a way, it is actually diminishing its own legendary boogeyman to a baffling new plot with which no one is familiar. The dread is weak, the romance forced, and the finale resembles the series just ran out of fuel. This is not how the heritage trilogy should have terminated; rather, it is the manner in which the franchise stumbles down the stage.
6. Firestarter
Although a Stephen King remake is a gamble, this version definitely lands in the “skip it” sector. Despite a great score by John Carpenter, Firestarter remains lifeless due to slow pacing, lackluster performances, and no emotional connection. Zac Efron tries his best, but the storyline is underdeveloped and there are no scares. Rather than creating suspense, the film just emits a faint smokiness.
The Best Movies of 2022
5. The Northman
Robert Eggers trades his smaller, more personal fears (The Witch, The Lighthouse) for a massive Viking saga, and the result is as terrifying and captivating as it is. The Northman is a primal revenge narrative told through exquisite visuals and passionate acting. The transformation of Alexander Skarsgård into a man-beast is phenomenal, and Nicole Kidman delivers one of her most unsettling speeches of late. The production is harsh, symbolic, and hypnotizing, one of the year’s most unforgettable big-screen experiences.
4. TÁR
Some films appear as if their sole reason for being is one single role, and TÁR is among them. Cate Blanchett is totally indistinct from Lydia Tár, a world-travelling conductor whose brilliance comes with arrogance and flaws. The movie itself is slow-moving, heavy, and occasionally scary, but Blanchett’s mastery turns it into an enjoyable watch. It is not acting, it is a command. By far the most powerful and one of the best acting performances of the year, also a film that lingers long after the last credit.
3. Everything Everywhere All at Once
If insanity were given an Oscar, this film would win it without any doubt. The Daniels have come up with a multiverse story that is both ridiculous, emotional, and visually stunning. Michelle Yeoh is simply a legend, Ke Huy Quan returns with the best performance of the last ten years, and Andy’s hot dog fingers will somehow make you cry. This is one of the few movies that, despite being super weird and very thematic, is really moving and human at the same time.
2. The Batman
Were we to guess the number of Batman reboots, admittedly, we would say this one must be the last one, or better, we wouldn’t even have guessed that we’d need a third in the first place. Matt Reeves’ take has been this grim, grimy, noir-drenched gem. Robert Pattinson’s Batman is somber and gritty, while Paul Dano’s Riddler is evocative of a terrorized mind, and gangsters are a city: dirty, drenched, and alive. The film follows the style of a detective thriller and not a superhero spectacle, which is absolutely great. It is a daring, elegant, and successful first among the most excellent ones.
1. Top Gun: Maverick
It is unlikely that anyone would entertain the idea of a sequel made 36 years ago becoming the number one hit at the box office in 2022. What the sequel manages to do is the very thing that so many other legacy sequels fail to do – it feels past while simultaneously launching into the future. Tom Cruise proves yet again that he is the king of practical stunts, the aerial action is phenomenal, and the story manages to hit all the right tones of nostalgia with new development. It is exciting, touching, and becomes an instant classic. By the way, Hollywood still knows how to fly sometimes.
And there you have it, the ups and downs of the film world in 2022, from the blood and gore of Vikings to the failure of vampire movies, from the look-I-adore-myself multiverse to the horror sequels that should have never been brought back to life. A few movies made us remember why we adore the cinema-going experience; others reminded us that film is not for everyone. Do you agree with my list? Comment if you think that I have committed cinematic biblical heresy? Either way, that is the beauty of films: they provide us with something to talk about long after the credits roll.