The Best Films of 2023

Photo from Felipe Bustillo via Unsplash

For 2022’s best film list, I described the films of that year as a good continuation of the year beforehand, especially after the impacts of COVID-19. As for 2023, this year was the best for the art form in over a decade, arguably the best of the 21st century so far. 

The Beasts  

Directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen 

Set in the northwest of Spain, a French couple who resettled to the region faces continuing animosity from their local neighbors. However, as tensions rise between two families, they reach a point of no return in this brilliantly structured, unnerving thriller. Featuring amazing performances that could have fallen to cliche but result in a fantastic exploration of perspective, hate and obsession, “The Beasts” is a must-watch for thriller fans who want a taut and intelligently executed film culminating in one of the most engaging third acts I’ve seen in years. 

The Boy and the Heron 

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki 

From the legendary Studio Ghibli, “The Boy and the Heron” is another masterwork by Miyazaki. Once again, it captures a beautiful sense of wonder, discovery, and worldbuilding through the gorgeous hand-drawn animation the studio is known for. Although the film appears similar to many of Miyazaki’s previous works at first glance, its themes (primarily with loss, legacy and purpose), maturity, reflective nature and the psychedelic, dreamy logic of its fantastical world make the film unique. If this is truly Miyazaki’s final work, it is his most poignant through this strange journey filled with lovable characters, stunning locations, and emotional resonance.  

Godland

Directed by Hlynur Pálmason

In “Godland,” we follow the journey of a 19th-century Danish priest to Iceland in an attempt to photograph its stunning landscapes and convert the Icelandic people. However, the priest soon learns that he is completely out of his element as Iceland is a land where he doesn’t know the language, nor is he equipped to handle its harsh conditions. “Godland” is a hypnotic slow burn and is completely engrossing in its study of colonialism and religion; it's one of the best examples of slow, precise editing. Lastly, the cinematography by Maria von Hauswolff is the best of the year and an achievement, as every shot captures the gorgeous environment of Iceland.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 

Directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Justin K. Thompson, and Kemp Powers 

Was it possible to top 2018’s “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse?” Well, no, but it is possible to make a movie just as good. Like “The Boy and the Heron,” Spider-Verse capitalizes on being an animated film as it brandishes numerous jaw-dropping art styles. Combined with its sense of humor and thrilling action sequences, it’s lining up this series to be possibly one of the best trilogies ever made. The key to “Spider-Verse” is the characters, as the combination of voice acting and animation makes us really care about Miles Morales and all the other Spider-people. It is a true testament to the heights animation can achieve.

The Holdovers 

Directed by Alexander Payne 

Step aside “Die Hard,” “The Holdovers” has come to, rightfully, be the best Christmas movie ever made. Set in the 1970s at a private boarding school in New England, we follow a student who stays behind over Christmas break, Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa), who bonds with his cantankerous history professor, Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti). Both hilariously witty in its humor while nailing its emotional highs and lows, “The Holdovers” is among thematically similar greats such as “Dead Poets Society” and “Good Will Hunting.” Many people describe the film as being covered with a fuzzy warm blanket, and it's hard to disagree; it successfully achieves a feeling of joy and friendship that is often difficult to achieve in a cinematic experience, “The Holdovers” leaves the viewer wishing that they just can hang out with these characters just a bit longer. 

The Iron Claw 

Directed by Sean Durkin 

Based on the true story of the Von Erich family that dominated the wrestling world of the 1980s, “The Iron Claw” was the most emotionally powerful film I saw all year. The film immerses you in the lives of the Von Erich brothers, their brotherhood, friendship, and distinctly Texan way of life. The central performance of Kevin Von Erich by Zac Efron is not only nearly unrecognizable with his physical appearance but also through his embodiment of Kevin, his headstrong positivity, and his passion for his work. “The Iron Claw” is a true story of not only love but descension into a soul-crushing spiral of tragedy. By the end of this journey, it is near-indescribably powerful, a story about how one can push through unending loss and pain and, in the end, can find love on the other side.

Oppenheimer 

Directed by Christopher Nolan 

If there’s one film that defines cinema this year, it is “Oppenheimer.” Both a critical and box office juggernaut that has such a distinct directorial voice, all the while packing an 181-minute runtime about the terrifying creation of the atomic bomb, is something I would never expect to be as beloved (and culturally impactful) as it. Combining its punchy screenplay and breakneck editing, Nolan creates a stylistically bold tone that will undoubtedly earn him his first Oscar for directing. Not only nuanced but never overstated, Cillian Murphy’s central performance conveys the brilliance and faults of the legendary physicist while putting the audience in his perspective. “Oppenheimer’s” central character study is riveting: a man who changed the world forever and believed he doomed the future of humanity, a horrifying, Promethean level of creation then punishment that creates one of the most enthralling performances of the century so far. 

Killers of the Flower Moon

Directed by Martin Scorsese 

The previous films are all incredible and, within any other year, could have taken the top spot; nevertheless, the best film of the year is from one of the true masters of the craft who created the most harrowing and powerful film of his entire career. “Killers of the Flower Moon'' recounts the Osage Murders of 1920s Oklahoma, placing us directly in the entwined lives of the murderers and murdered. A story of unending evil, betrayal, and loss isn’t easy to watch for its methodical and captivating 206-minute runtime, but it shouldn’t be. “Flower Moon '' is mournful; it tells a story of complicity with evil, how a whole people faced endless death while the rest watched on. Films like these are important, not only as they move the artistic medium forward but also as reminders of the pain of the past. Through its chilling score, gripping performances, and purposeful, composed directing, “Killers of the Flower Moon” is the best film of 2023.