40. Baylon (Dir. Damian Chazelle)
Babylon is bold, messy, epic, overwhelming, ugly, and beautiful. You may not like it, but you will never forget it.
Set in the 1920s, Babylon follows an ensemble cast led by Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and Diego Calva. Each actor embodies a character striving for success in Hollywood, which was undergoing a seismic shift with the introduction of sound in film. Each performance is among their career-best, evoking different senses of ambition and desperation as the characters seek to fulfill their dreams in an industry that is only looking to swallow them up and spit them out.
Babylon captures the extremes of human experience; every decision is driven by excess. Chazelle’s direction is fearless, and his uncompromising vision unsurprisingly polarized audiences back in 2022. However, it is a cinematic statement that will only continue to age well.
At its center is potentially the best score of the decade, crafted by Justin Hurwitz. His jazz-infused compositions perfectly mirror the film’s frenetic energy.
39. Pig (Dir. Michael Sarnoski)
What makes Pig so remarkable is its subversion of genre conventions. At first glance, it appears to be a standard revenge thriller, but as the story unravels it shows itself to be in reality a complex and very moving meditation on grief. Sarnoski does not cheap out by including overdramatic moments of violence or anger but instead takes his time leaning into moments of quiet humanity, making the film a poignant exploration of loss.
Nicolas Cage gives what may be his best performance as Rob, a reclusive former chef who lives in the woods with his beloved pig. When the pig is stolen, Rob ventures into the city to retrieve her, uncovering layers of his past along the way. Cage’s performance is intense and understated, yet always layered with vulnerability. Even as the film slows down, the audience is never disengaged. It’s a career-defining role that reminds everyone of Cage’s extraordinary range.
38. Licorice Pizza (Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson)
A hang-out movie crafted by one of the best filmmakers working today, Licorice Pizza shines through Anderson’s meticulous attention to detail in his direction. Every moment is crafted with a level of authenticity and love that makes you want to continue living in this world he has created.
The film follows Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman), a teenager with dreams of escaping his poor situation, and Alana Kane (Alana Haim), a woman navigating her twenties. The audience follows their unlikely relationship as they interact with a variety of wild characters (the highlight being Bradley Cooper playing producer Jon Peters) in southern California. Hoffman and Haim are exceptional, perfectly embodying their characters’ insecurities and their search to find their place in the world.
While light on plot, Licorice Pizza is filled with memorable scenes and has become a new go-to comfort film.
37. I’m Thinking of Ending Things (Dir. Charlie Kaufman)
There may be no greater compliment to a director than being able to say that no one else could have made a particular film. I’m Thinking of Ending Things is the most Charlie Kaufman film imaginable.
The movie follows a young woman (Jessie Buckley) on a road trip with her boyfriend (Jesse Plemons) to his parents’ remote farmhouse. As the journey progresses, unsettling and bizarre events unfold, leaving the audience questioning what is real and what is not. Kaufman, known for crafting mind-bending narratives and blending of reality with surrealism, infuses the film with his trademark dark humor and philosphy, forcing viewers to reflect on their own experiences and their connections to the characters on screen.
Ultimately, the film becomes a haunting meditation on the passage of time, the fragility of relationships, and the complexity of identity. Kaufman once again created a film that will sit with you long after watching.
36. The Batman (Dir. Matt Reeves)
In an era when superhero filmmaking continues to suffer from oversaturation and struggles to create fresh stories, The Batman flourishes by wearing its influences (most notably Seven) on its sleeve. The final result is an endlessly engaging neo-noir that takes itself seriously, but not too seriously. It also helps that the film is crafted with a level of care rarely seen in major blockbuster productions today. The cinematography and art direction are immaculate, presenting a world that is grim and dark yet visually captivating. Robert Pattinson gives a fresh take on the character, quickly earning his place as a standout Batman. The film is bolstered by an incredible supporting cast, with strong performances from both secondary protagonists and antagonists, including Zoë Kravitz’s Catwoman and Paul Dano’s portrayal of the Riddler. This ensemble, combined with the film’s meticulous craftsmanship, elevates The Batman into one of the most memorable superhero films of the decade.
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