We’re officially half way through the year, so it’s only appropriate to have a look back at the cinematic goodness that has been on offer this year.
2022 has been given us a delicious smorgasbord of films. We’ve had superheroes, intimate dramas and high-octane action. It’s a difficult job to pick the best of the year so far, but someone had to do it. Without further ado, here are some of the best of 2022, so far.
The Worst Person in The World
Joachim Trier’s drama closed out his Oslo trilogy and what a way to end it. Renate Reinsve won Best Actress at Cannes for her performance as the restless medical student Julie, who navigates love and relationships with the grace of a bull in a china shop. Trier’s film tackles the sheer messiness of your early-30s with empathy and honesty and it’s an exhilarating watch. Run, don’t walk, to see this.
Everything Everywhere All At Once
It’s weird, it’s wonderful, it’s Everything Everywhere All At Once. Michelle Yeoh plays an ageing immigrant woman, who is pulled into a cosmic multiverse adventure where she will battle all kinds of evil. Everything Everywhere is laugh-out-loud hilarious, but also sweet and touching, in ways you won’t see coming and that’s where the film’s brilliance lies.
Top Gun: Maverick
I don’t think anyone could see Top Gun: Maverick storm into the best-film-of-the-year-conversation, but it did just that. Tom Cruise’s Maverick is back in the cockpit and the sequel to Top Gun had no business being this good. Maverick is full of action and jokes, but most importantly, heart. Director Joseph Kosinski has created an unforgettable action epic and he made it look so easy and effortless too.
Moonfall
Yes, I put Moonfall on this list. Many would consider it the worst of the year, but I firmly believe it’s one of the best. A Roland Emmerich film through and through, Moonfall is so daft and stupid, you can’t help but love it. The film is about a moon falling, literally, so if you were expecting a serious, thoughtful exploration of the human condition, it’s your fault really for being disappointed. Me? I just wanted to see the moon fall and cause widespread chaos and destruction. Mission accomplished.
The Northman
Robert Eggers’ body of work sure isn’t for everyone. The Witch and The Lighthouse are both a lot to digest, but The Northman is surely the director’s most epic film to date. The Northman follows Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård) as he vows revenge on his uncle who killed Amleth’s father and imprisoned his mother. This is a blood-and-sweat-soaked tale of revenge and, led by an impressive Skarsgård, it’s long and exhausting but also immersive and stylish.
