2023 has been a year of art and cinema. Several movies that tore through the hearts and minds of the audience graced the silver screen this year. While some of them were overwhelming pieces crafted carefully to address the sociopolitical issues we face as humankind, some others were abstract pieces of visual art that left its viewers wondering what the cinematic piece that they just watched entailed.
As the year comes to an end, we have curated the list of best movies made this year. The drama that these cinematic pieces brought to the screen has arguably left many in a larger-than-life zone. As we bid adieu to the year gone by, take a sneak peek at these marvels that 2023 is leaving us with.
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10. Passages
The protagonist of ‘Passages‘ mirrors each one of us with the number of times the character takes the conventionally wrong routes and ends up complicating things. Directed by Ira Sachs, the movie portrays the life of a self-centered filmmaker played by Franz Rogowski. The love triangle in the movie perhaps makes it even more relatable, showing the human tendency to be inherently flawed. The story draws both exasperation and empathy from its audience. The character is well played by the cast, which perfectly complements the narrative that for a human being with a zeal for doing things, the world can both be a curse and a blessing.
9. Dreamin’ Wild
A Bill Pohlad movie, ‘Dreamin’ Wild‘ is a musical tale that explores the life of two people at the peak of their young lives, facing a second chance to pursue their dream of pop stardom. A tribute to the many rock’n’roll dreams in the world, the movie stars Casey Affleck and Walton Goggins as the lead characters. Interestingly, the film draws inspiration from real-life events. It does an excellent job of capturing the solace that music brings to the human soul, while also justifying the transformative power of music.
8. Past Lives
Celine Song’s debut, ‘Past Lives‘ does a commendable job of taking the audience on a journey as experienced by a Korean immigrant played by Greta Lee. The movie delves into the early life of the main character of the movie, as she reconnects with a childhood friend, portrayed by Teo Yoo. The beautifully captured subterranean crackle of the connection between the two childhood friends gives the movie a personal touch and relatability. It also subtly asserts the mournful beauty of missed opportunities. All in all, the movie comes as a way for the audience to accept the truth that yearning is an integral part of life. It also tells its audience that life only allows us to be on one road at a time.
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7. Revoir Paris
Directed by Alice Winocour, the film ‘Revoir Paris‘ casts Virginie Efira as Mia — a woman who survives a fictional terrorist attack. Though a fictional attack, the movie has done an excellent job of portraying it as a life-altering, traumatic event. It brings to the audience a subtle decoding of the complex meaning of survival and the journey back to life after a traumatic event. Efira’s portrayal of the lead character Mia becomes a beacon of resilience and hope by the end of the movie. The movie artistically portrays a survivor’s journey of making peace with the trauma that may have come their way after surviving a war.
6. Priscilla
The movie brings to life the story of Priscilla Beaulieu Presley in this masterpiece directed by Sofia Coppola. The performance by Cailee Spaeny does full justice to the portrayal of Priscilla. The lead character is shown to be preternaturally self-possessed as a young teenager. By the end of the movie, the character evolves into a wiser and more resilient woman as she turns 27. The movie very gracefully narrates the journey of a woman’s life that happens to be extraordinary and yet painful. The movie is an adaptation of Priscilla Presley’s 1985 memoir, which adds a realistic touch to the movie.
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5. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret
An adaptation of Judy Blume’s coming-of-age classic book ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret‘, Kelly Fremon Craig’s film with the same name does complete justice to the literary masterpiece. A rather bold initiative, the movie delves into the nuances and complexities of coming-of-age women’s experiences. With Rachel McAdams, Benny Safdie, and Abby Ryder Fortson in the lead cast, the movie very gracefully explores the less-talked-about struggles of women both in adolescence and after that. Apart from addressing the confusion women face during their early years, the film also deals with their struggle with making peace with leaving their youth behind. The movie is a perfect blend of infotainment for both young and adult audiences, especially women.
4. Killers Of The Flower Moon
‘Killers of the Flower Moon‘, the much-acclaimed masterpiece by Martin Scorsese, puts a subtle question mark on America’s conscience when it comes to its age-old history of wars. The movie brings back the systematic murders of the Osage Nation in 1920s Oklahoma. Revolving around the character of David Grann — played by Leonardo DiCaprio — the movie forces the audience to introspect the choices that the American ancestors have made. Lily Gladstone’s performance as Mollie Burkhart gives voice to a million stories that have been conveniently forgotten in modern America. Scorsese himself appears in the epilogue of the movie, adding a personal and mournful touch to the movie. A stellar including Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro add more grace to the movie.
3. The Zone Of Interest
‘The Zone of Interest‘ offers a rather dark exploration of the desires and wants that people share. It gets darker as the people involved are the ones who commit unimaginable atrocities. Directed by Jonathan Glazer, the movie has Sandra Hüller and Christian Friedel as the lead characters. The movie delivers a strong message as it unfolds – happiness built on the suffering of others is no happiness at all. The actors who portray the characters of the film have done full justice to the story – a semi-fictionalized view of history, but also a pertinent story for the present.
2. Maestro
‘Maestro‘, released just recently as the year faces its end, has been very well-received by the viewers. It explores the complex and passionate marriage of the musician Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre, along with Bernstein’s innate love for music. Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan in the lead roles have done an excellent job. The movie also delves into a very intricate exploration of artistry and human relationships. It is a tribute to Bernstein, whose life was as successful as it was scandalized. It beautifully captures the challenges and triumphs that Bernstein faced, both as a composer and a human being.
1. Fallen Leaves
‘Fallen Leaves‘ makes the top pick by TIME Magazine as the best movie of the year. Aki Kaurismäki’s movie weaves a story of a tentative romance and human connections between the lead characters played by Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen. The characters give the stark message of embracing life in all its tainted glory and making the best of it. What adds more flavor to the movie is Kaurismäki’s humanist comedy. It adds the kind of comedy that polishes the beauty of life’s little revelations. ‘Fallen Leaves‘ does the articulative job of catching life’s smallest, unwavering moments that make the inherent purpose of life clearer, and putting them on screen for the audience to cherish — and maybe find some of those for themselves in their own lives.
While these movies take the top positions, there are some other honorable mentions that have indeed raised the cinematic bar higher than it was last year.
The list includes Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer‘, Yorgos Lanthimos’ ‘Poor Things’, Guy Ritchie’s ‘The Covenant’, Anh Hung Tran’s ‘The Taste of Things’, Ava DuVernay’s ‘Origin’, Andrew Haigh’s ‘All of Us Strangers’, and Wim Wenders’ ‘Perfect Days’.
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