Top 5: Best Films of 2023

2023 saw a spark reignite on the big screen, with remarkable cinematic achievements, providing renewed hope for the art of cinema. Here are 5 cinematic delights from this year that you’ll have the pleasure of escaping to.

Special Mention: Barbie (2023)

Out go the heels and in come the Birkenstocks, Barbie is a fun, pumping pink delight of nostalgia with impeccable attention to detail. For a film about a plastic doll, it’s surprisingly human.

5. Saltburn (2023)

Twisted, yet enchanting. Director Emerald Fennell is killing it. Quality screenwriting and rich with magnificent characters (not forgetting Rosamund Pike and Richard E. Grant; the power duo). Barry Keoghan gives a flawless performance; a true masterclass in the unreliable narrator.

4. The Killer (2023)

One of the more sophisticated films of the year, The Killer oozes Hitchcockian suspense, tension, humour and has a strong voyeuristic tone. Fincher brings a rewarding slow burn that has us dying for more. An intriguing portrait of a killer who has no conscience. And you’re invited to watch him at work.

3. Anatomy of a Fall (2023)

Director, Justine Triet doesn’t seek a classical and comfortable approach to the often ‘predictable’ legal drama. There’s something quite clever in the camerawork; the blocking is phenomenal, making us feel like intruders as the viewer. It demands a lot from you. But don’t expect a flashy cinematic spectacle – instead it’s packed with depth, riveting dialogue and realism. It’s a nuanced study of human psychology and will send chills down your spine.

2. The Holdovers (2023)

The most heartwarming film of the year goes to…The Holdovers. This is Alexander Payne’s return to form, after his disappointing previous feature, “Downsizing”. An intimate character study that’s written beautifully – it’s quick witted and heartbreaking at the same time. You won’t forget it.

1. Close (2022)

Just grab the toilet roll, because you’re going to need a lot of tissues. Close is one of the most heartwrenching films to be released in recent years. The depth of the performances and the chemistry between the two leads is so real and natural that at times you forget you’re watching a scripted and directed film. It captures the innocence of childhood and the beauty of friendship. Fingers crossed Close receives the exposure globally that it so richly deserves.