Past Lives and the top 10 best movies of 2023

It’s hard to think that we have already reached the end of 2023. This year feels like it has flown by without regard for slowing down. I had seen many say that this year was a down year for film, but I couldn’t disagree more. With over 300 new movies watched this year, I will share my top ten movies.

I take every article I write seriously, but when it comes to my top ten, I struggle more than any other article because I want to get it right. I’ll rewatch some of my favorites to solidify their spot in the ranking, and sometimes, in that rewatch, it might find itself off the list. If you want to see my past top ten take a look at my 2022 list.

Before I dive into that top ten, let me highlight a few films that didn’t make the cut. Two movies I saw at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival in Rye Lane and A Thousand and One missed the cut. Rye Lane is the perfect rom-com that elevates the genre. On the flip side, Teyana Taylor delivered one of the year’s best performances as Inez de la Paz in A Thousand and One. Poor Things is my last film to get some love that didn’t make the cut. This probably belongs in the ten, but I couldn’t find a way to slide it onto the list.

Now onto the movies that are in my top 10.

10. The Killer

The Killer should be higher on my list, and I am uncertain where to put it, but I couldn’t not have it in my top ten. Ten years from now, this film will be among people’s favorite movies of the decade. We saw David Fincher return to his bread and butter with a cold and calculated thriller featuring some of the year’s best sound work. Michael Fassbender is perfect.

9. Anatomy of a Fall

Justine Triet reinvented the wheel when it comes to courtroom dramas with her daring film Anatomy of a Fall. The film challenges you in a way that you are uncertain of what happened and leaves you guessing whether or not Sandra killed her husband or not. Sandra Hüller and Milo Machado-Graner share some impactful work.

8. Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer is a technical masterpiece that will be hard-pressed to find a film that matches the levels of this film. Ludwig Göransson’s masterful score was its own character to the sound team that deserves all the praise (see this in IMAX) to the editing team that put together this film; everyone was on top of their game throughout this whole process. Christopher Nolan continues to one-up himself with each of his movies.

7. The Color Purple

Blitz Bazawule stepped into some big shoes attempting to bring a new variation of a beloved film (and play) to life in The Color Purple. But he expertly shoots the movie, allowing his ensemble cast to bring this fresh and new take on the story to life. Several sequences and shots in this film will leave you speechless. It’s an incredible movie filled with award-worthy performances across the board.

6.  American Fiction

This has been the year of feature film debuts with Cord Jefferson adding his name to the list with American Fiction. Each time you watch it, it provides a specific depth that brings a different experience. It has a blend of satire, heart, and a compelling narrative, allowing you to peel back the many layers within his script. The film easily has one of the best ensemble casts of 2023.

5. Barbie

My most-watched movie of 2023 is Barbie. Every time I watch this movie, I get further impressed with the little things Greta Gerwig created within this world. This movie hits on every cylinder, from the production design to the cinematography to the brilliant songs. On the flip side, Margot Robbie delivers her best work to date with Ryan Gosling proving his acting chops. They’re some of the best actors in Hollywood.

4. Fair Play

I was blown away when I first saw Fair Play at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. I’ve watched the film three more times and have become even more enamored by Chloe Domont’s razor-sharp screenplay. The performances by Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehrenreich are brilliant.

An excerpt from my review: “One of the things I loved about Fair Play was the tense-filled world-building brought to you by writer Chloe Domont. How she crafts this relationship is flipped upside down on its head when Emily gets this promotion, causing things to get intense and leaving you on the edge of your seat about what is going to happen next. Domont is a voice that needs to be on people’s radars because this is just the start for her.”

3. The Iron Claw

Sean Durkin brought to life one of the most profound stories in professional wrestling history with The Iron Claw in the Von Erichs. He delicately handled the film with incredible grace and care, delivering a movie that will cause a new generation of fans to appreciate the family in a new way. You have an ensemble cast that each brings something to this film. Zac Efron showcases his acting chops by delivering the best performance of his career and one of the best of the year.

2. Maestro

Maestro is one of the most beautiful love stories ever told in film. The passion project brought to life by Bradley Cooper delivers his best work in front of and behind the camera. His partner in the movie, Carey Mulligan, transcends a stunning performance that I’ll never forget.

1. Past Lives

It’s hard to believe that Past Lives is Celine Song’s feature film debut. Not only is this one of the most unique and thought-provoking love stories brought to the big screen, but it’s also one of the more powerful and moving stories of “what if.” It’s mesmerizing within every frame as you watch Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Margaro bring Song’s profound script to life. It is not only the best movie of 2023 but also one of the best of the decade.