2022 was a fantastic year for film across the board, maybe with the exception of comedy (for more on that, check out our podcast episode “2022 Film Box Awards Night“). As such, we felt this would be a great time to go over our favorite films of 2022. Furthermore, these films represented a new era for me as I pushed myself to think more critically about movies and the industry as a whole and help provide people looking for an honest opinion of movies a place to go. So, without further ado, lets jump into my top 5 list.
5. The Whale
The Whale only recently fell into my lap, but it really properly wrapped up a solid 2022 in film. A deep and introspective character study into the life of a man torn apart by loss, guilt, grief and depression, and how his life- and his size- affects himself and those around him. I challenge anyone to watch this film and not come out of it with some greater appreciation of your own life. Not to mention the amazing, career best performance by Brendan Fraser in the title role, one which I feel should win him the best actor award at this year’s Academy Awards without question. His performance is what carried the film, and without a doubt raised it to an upper echelon of film in 2022.
4. Causeway
Jennifer Lawrence is back! Another deeply introspective character study with themes of grief, but also dealing with PTSD and traumatic brain injury and the aftermath of what many veterans go through after coming home from war and reintegrating with everyday society. This film had me invested the entire way through, and I was deeply impressed with the scope of what the film accomplished with so simple a premise. Jennifer Lawrence is especially stellar and gives a fantastically nuanced performance that had me deeply invested. I really would hope that anyone with Apple TV+ would check this one out, it truly is worth your time.
3. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Story
Another late arrival to 2022 that absolutely blew me away, enough to be included in my top movies list, Glass Onion follows the latest of Benoit Blanc’s stellar mysteries. This time on a Greek Island surrounded by rich folk as he was in the first. This film is truly a wonderful watch all the way through and solidified my belief in Rian Johnson as a storyteller. I loved Knives Out immensely, and I am so glad we got to see the return of Daniel Craig’s world-famous Detective Blanc in a story the felt extraordinarily unique but also very familiar. Not to mention the rest of the cast was outstanding, and the mystery itself was well written and echoed how well done the previous film’s story was. It is currently on Netflix, so please go watch it.
2. Top Gun: Maverick
This was a film I was late to the party in seeing. It came out in the summer of 2022 and skyrocketed up the charts, with many people hailing its action and drama as some of the best in years. I can’t say I wasn’t skeptical, and as such I missed seeing it in theaters, but when I finally did, I was blown away. From the intriguing plot to the absolutely perfect action sequences that made even simple training exercises feel breathtakingly exciting, to the dramatic sequences and acting that brought me through waves of various emotions, I couldn’t believe how well done this film was. If you loved the original Top Gun, you’ll absolutely adore the second. I was glued to my tv for its entire 2-hour 11-minute runtime, and I am sure you will too.
1. Everything Everywhere All At Once
If you were to watch one movie from this year’s top movies list, I would beg you to give Everything Everywhere All At Once a shot. Coming out of absolutely nowhere and starring a stellar cast including the amazing Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan (you may remember him as Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom or as Data in The Goonies), this movie was absolutely captivating. An intense, philosophical look at family with the added feature of the multiverse and a seriously engaging plot, EEAAO will have you running through a range of emotions as you watch. I truly cannot recommend this movie enough, and I sincerely hope it wins the best picture award at the Academy Awards this year. If you have the ability to, seriously watch this film.
