From covering the Sundance Film Festival to catching up with the late-breaking Oscar contenders, 2021 has been an impressive year in terms of the film slate. What has impressed me most is the variety that is out there for anyone to enjoy, whether it is a musical for the darkest days or an epic made for the biggest of screens. I am glad that films in a range of genres surprised me this year, as my top ten of the year has become an eclectic mix that I am sure you will find something to connect with.

 Disclaimer: due to living in the UK, there are certain films that have not released here and despite potentially cracking my top ten list I am unable to see and rank them. These films include Cyrano, Nightmare Alley, and A Hero.

 10. The Suicide Squad

Easily the best comic book film of the year, James Gunn added his directorial style to give a truly fantastic telling of the Suicide Squad, a group of misfits that Gunn manages to make loveable. Yes, I may be biased as this was the first in-person critic screening I have ever been invited to, but I am still impressed at the guts this film had within the first ten minutes and how everyone’s lives were truly at stake. Gunn kept audiences on their toes with action that could have been ripped from the comic books, humor that was sharp and landed hit after hit, and still a surprising amount of heart that made it easy to cheer on these mischievous characters.

9. Parallel Mothers

Pedro Almodóvar surprises again with a film that will break your heart on numerous occasions. The presentation and structure are simple, yet it leaves room for Penélope Cruz to steal the show and give one of the best performances in her career. Cruz, alongside Milena Smit, leads the story of two mothers who meet at a maternity ward and give birth on the same day, giving them a bond that will last a lifetime. Take a seat and let the story captivate you from the first words to the very last frame.

8. Flee

The first of two films to appear on this list that I saw at Sundance 2021, and yet I cannot praise this film enough. I was fortunate enough to see Flee for a second time at the London Film Festival and being able to experience this film in a cinema made me love the craft even more on the rewatch. This is a powerful film and one that must be watched by everyone, especially considering the situation going on right now in Afghanistan. Amin’s story is told in the most beautiful of ways thanks to the direction of Jonas Poher Rasmussen and the animation that not only helps keep Amin’s identity secret, but is able to delve into his past and illustrate both the darker and lighter moments in his life.

7. Nine Days

A film that has been stuck in a place of limbo due to the weird release schedule and severe lack of marketing, Nine Days deserves so much more attention than it has received. A unique concept captured by Edson Oda, the film is led by a fantastic performance from Winston Duke and beautifully captures the idea of life. It may appear simple at first, but the slow pace allows for major development and payoff throughout the film, making it impossible to turn off once you start.

6. Spencer

Whilst Spencer has been deemed as divisive amongst the general audiences, it has remained one of my top films of the year. Of course, a lot of praise must go to Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana, who gives the best performance out of anyone this entire year. However, it is also the rest of the cast who shine, as Timothy Spall, Sally Hawkins, and Jack Farthing also give strong performances. Containing one of my favorite scenes of the entire year with the ‘soldier game’ and a masterclass in numerous aspects of filmmaking, including score and cinematography, this is one I will continue to go back to time and time again.

5. Belfast

This one may be fresher in my head than the others, considering I only had a chance to check it out at the start of January this year, but it is no wonder why Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast remains the frontrunner in the Best Picture race. In short, this film is just lovely and intimate, providing a sense of warmth within the film community and shining a light on a beloved hometown of Belfast for Branagh. However, it is the mix of that tone and the fantastic filmmaking within it that elevates it from a lovely film to a gorgeous piece of cinematic history that is sure to please all audiences.

4. In The Heights

In a year where we had a large variety of movie musicals from remakes, bio-pics, animation and, well, whatever Dear Evan Hansen was meant to be; only one was able to crack my top ten and it seems to be the one that has been forgotten this award season. If In The Heights was released later in the year and didn’t have the pressure of being the first box office test this year, this would be contending in numerous categories, and for good reason. With the vibrant soundtrack, gorgeous production and some of the best numbers in a long time such as ’96,000’ and ‘Benny’s Dispatch’, there’s no doubt that In The Heights makes my top five.

3. Mass

There were only three films that I gave a perfect score to this year, the next three films I will be talking about here, and this one was the first to receive that lucrative rating after surprising at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Not sure what I was getting myself into, Fran Kranz nailed it with his directorial debut by stripping back the filmmaking and focusing solely on the screenplay and the four brilliant actors he had in this single room. In a film that should be sweeping Original Screenplay and Ensemble awards, Mass will strike an emotional chord more than any other film of 2021.

2. Drive My Car

When preparing myself to see Drive My Car for the first time, I made sure to get to a cinema and allow myself to be captivated for the three-hour runtime. When I realised that the opening credits were rolling in after 40 minutes – and what a 40 minutes that was – I knew I was in safe hands with Hamaguchi directing. This is such a beautiful story and while you do feel the runtime, you appreciate being in that intimate space and having the time to connect with these characters and being on this journey. In a film that spreads awareness about inclusivity and the power of both language and the theatre, it is no surprise that I was desperate for a second viewing immediately after my first experience.

1. Dune

I am somebody that doesn’t usually gravitate towards a sci-fi epic. In fact, I had not even dipped my toes into any of Denis Villeneuve’s previous work before venturing out to see Dune. However, despite the cinemas being reopened and home to blockbusters such as Black Widow and No Time to Die by this point, the cinematic experience did not truly return until Dune blessed our screens. This is a film that highlights the power of filmmaking, from the gorgeous cinematography, incredible visual effects, and immersive sound design that also elevates Hans Zimmer’s score like no other film could this year. Despite the nature of the project and the scale of challenge with adapting something like Frank Herbert’s original novel, I was still able to take someone who loved the book and someone who had no idea what Dune was about and they both loved Villeneuve’s adaptation. That shows the level of care that went into adapting the source material while making the story accessible to all, and there is no other film that could dare challenge it for my favorite film of 2021.

Although the pandemic is heading severely in the wrong direction now, much of 2021 felt like a big return for the movies. That’s not to say 2020 was a bad year for film; I thought there were plenty of impressive features released then. That said, I thought the output of 2021 was downright fantastic. Though not every great movie was seen for the first time in a theater, I was delighted to see most of these on the big screen once again. Here are my favorites from the year (at least for now). 

10. The Killing of Two Lovers 

This is a terribly overlooked film featuring an even more overlooked lead performance from Clayne Crawford, who delivers a menacing yet naturalistic masterclass. This tale of a man struggling to confront a potential separation from his wife certainly won’t leave many viewers feeling joyful, but it’s likely to leave you thinking long after finishing it. For my money, the sound work is easily the best of the year. 

9. In the Heights 

For me, this is the film that served as the first major reminder this year of how great a theatrical experience can be. No movie this year brought tears to my eyes more than this lively musical, which features a stunning ensemble cast and wonderful choreography. Though the film is not devoid of conflict, I look back on it primarily with a sense of joy and celebration. 

8. A Hero 

Sure, it’s not as great as A Separation, but that’s an unfair comparison. Asghar Farhadi’s latest still serves as further proof that he may be the best storyteller working with the film medium today. His ability to turn the simplest situations into something extraordinary is astounding, and Amir Jadidi shines in the lead role. 

7. West Side Story 

I have no shame in admitting that I was one of the doubters before this was released. I mean, it’s only a reworking of one of the most influential movie musicals ever. Luckily, that Spielberg guy knows what he’s doing. This not only lives up to the original, but perhaps even exceeds it with stronger character development and such a strong sense of life. 

6. Identifying Features 

If there’s any film from 2021 that deserves more love and attention than it’s received so far, it’s this stunner from Mexico. First-time feature director Fernanda Valadez works the camera and the narrative like a seasoned veteran, and Mercedes Hernández is heartbreaking as a woman looking for her missing son near the Mexico-U.S. border. Claudia Becerril Bulos’s cinematography delivers images that are still supplanted in my memory months after watching. 

5. Pig 

This is perhaps the most empathetic movie of the year, featuring characters with motivations that are clear and easy to understand while still holding plenty of subtle depth. Nicolas Cage gives one of the very best performances of the year with a quiet but deeply affecting role. The film also really captures what it’s like to have a pet and love them dearly, which had me reaching for the tissues. 

4, Bo Burnham: Inside 

I know many will not see Burnham’s latest special as a film, but it features such exquisite imagery, editing, and overall filmmaking craft that I cannot think of it in another fashion. Plus, this is my list! I laughed through multiple viewings of Burnham’s song-filled reflections on living through the pandemic, though it’s the deep personal moments that stick with me. 

3. The Power of the Dog 

This unique western has a slow pace that works because it is so intentional and essential to the direction of the plot. The wonderful ensemble plays perfectly to the tone of the film, and Ari Wegner’s cinematography delivers a necessary sense of isolation despite its undeniable beauty. Jane Campion’s direction is the best of the year because of how she weaves in visual cues and details that become more clear as the film progresses. Since my top two films of the year are surely not going to be nominated, I hope this is the one that wins Best Picture. 

2. The Green Knight 

Of all the quality films released in 2021, none delivered a sense of awe for me as a viewer quite like David Lowery’s latest. As one who knows little about Arthurian literature and finds medieval fantasy very hit-or-miss, I’m still astounded by how easily I was drawn into the epic journey undertaken by Dev Patel’s Gawain. The cinematography is grand, the costumes are stunning, and the makeup is remarkable. Simply put, this film has it all, but there was one other from this year that ever so slightly edged it out for me…

1. The Worst Person in the World 

It’s impressive enough for a film to present a character that feels this authentic and fully realized. This film goes beyond that with Renate Reinsve’s Julie to give us someone who faces so many challenges that are felt by an entire generation. Reinsve gives my favorite performance of the year as the type of character that feels like someone all of us will know at some point in our lives. The brilliant screenplay from Joachim Trier and Eskil Vogt tells her story in 12 acts, partially borrowing a structure from another film I love, Jean-Luc Godard’s Vivre Sa Vie. Though on the surface it’s one of the best romance films in years, on a deeper level it’s about finding your way (or not) in our current times. 

We waited in the early months of this year to see if this summer would be like the last, if our anticipated films would be delayed again. As we emerged from the haze and went to that theater with our masks on we were greeted with the familiar sights, sounds, and emotions of the big screen. I did find myself disappointed by the majority of the major films that I’d waited for in those anxiety ridden months. I found that because I had scrounged for and sought out films that I might not have in a typical year, I was hoping for something more out of these films I was hankering for. It was in the smaller films I found my love of the movie theater again. Not in the lounging seats of the multiplexes, but in the cramped seats of my local indie theater. My list isn’t about best, because best is obvious. My list is about emotion, passion, and above all, an escape from the everyday. And while I was barred from including it, you should know that the comic treasure Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar haunts the middle of this list.

10. In the Heights

In the Heights celebrates that the people in our lives should be the most important part of any dream. We can achieve more with each other than without. There is no better way to convey dreams, dreamers, and hope than with a musical. If it were any other type of film year, the clinking of Usnavi’s keys mixed with the sounds of the city could have become as iconic as the whistling that begins West Side Story. With catchy, inspired songs, stunning dance numbers, and terrific performances anchored by Olga Merediz, In the Heights is joy, heartbreak, and joy all over again.

9. The French Dispatch

The reason I like Wes Anderson films is because he lives out his childhood fantasies. He and I share that precociousness of youth where we didn’t ever want a buttoned down life of toil and drudgery. With The French Dispatch, the fantasy is of the roving reporter, the person that gets embedded, that sinks their teeth into a story and doesn’t stop until they get to the bottom of it. With Anderson’s signature whimsy, he creates a fabulous tapestry of a bygone era of journalism. The film has an incredible cast and intricately, terrifically detailed production design that doesn’t feel real, but is practical and utilized in delightful ways. It’s a sensational fantasy.

8. Together Together

It’s rare that a platonic relationship is explored as thoroughly as in Together Together. I love platonic love on screen and this is one of the best examples of what it can be like to fall into that deep, all encompassing friendship with someone. It’s witty, charming, sweet, and never gives in to the basest of instincts about human relationships. Nikole Beckwith has written an incredible love story with stellar performances by both Patti Harrison and Ed Helms. It’s a film that subverts your expectations and warms your heart.

7. Shiva Baby

Some of my favorite films take place in mostly one location. The tension, horror, and ridiculousness that can ratchet up in a situation where everyone is trapped together makes for engrossing human stories. Shiva Baby is an anxiety inducing, fevered look at what it’s like to try and keep secrets when all you have are nosy people in your life. It’s deliciously timed and superbly written in a way that whips you around from one secret to the next, from one reveal to the next.

6. The Tragedy of Macbeth

There is a scene in The Tragedy of Macbeth that has stayed with me. It’s an interstitial scene, one that isn’t overt in the original text. It’s where Macbeth does the deed, in which he kills Duncan in his bed. The tenderness and familiarity of where the scene begins is contrasted eloquently with the brutality of its end. The timing of this scene is why Joel Coen has always been a great filmmaker. He takes that one moment to convey the gravity of this betrayal and the impact this act will have on Macbeth, giving us more than the original text could. It’s a haunting scene in a beautifully haunted film.

5. C’mon C’mon

Mike Mills has the ability to break my heart. He reaches into my chest cavity, carefully pulls it out, cracks it open, cradles it, squeezes it, kneads it, and mends it before putting it back in. He’s a filmmaker who knows how to create beautiful emotional tension that inspires awe. With C’mon C’mon, Mills has written an ode to the difficulties of adults relating to children and the hard time children have relating to adults. It’s lyrical, soulful and comes with its own reading list that you’ll wish you had a pen and paper to write down as they appear on the screen.

4. Nine Days

Questions of heaven and hell, souls, and humanity have been posited since the first narrative films were created. It’s well trod territory, but Edson Oda’s Nine Days has a perspective that is lacking from all that came before it. In Nine Days, there is a human element in the choosing of what makes a soul human. The scenes in which Will grants each of his candidates a final wish is some of the most beautiful filmmaking to watch. The detail put into the design of each experience shows the empathy Will has for each person that comes to him. It’s beauty on top of beauty.

3. Pig

Food movies often get lavish with their design. They show off the best food that a production team can come up with. Pig is different from all food movies because while it indulges in discussions of food and flavor, it’s far more about an emotional response to food. The memory of a truly great meal can evoke some extraordinary sensations. The beauty in Pig is that memory can be cruel, freeing, and redemptive all at once.

2. The Green Knight

Stories of Arthurian legends can often be overwhelmed with a need for grand battles and grand love stories. The Green Knight eschews those trappings, throws off the yoke of what a story like this should be and gets back to the natural and supernatural elements that made these stories indelible in the first place. There is a deep humanity in the choices Sir Gawain makes that grounds this epic fantasy unlike any other. David Lowery is a true magician with what he’s able to accomplish on screen.

1. CODA

“My parents just don’t understand me,” is a common refrain in a coming of age film, but what CODA has done is to put that idea into a unique perspective. Ruby’s parents and brother are deaf and they don’t understand her need for pursuing music. The film is elevated beyond that conceit especially by the stellar, heartbreaking performances. It leaves you in a puddle of emotion, but by the end you realize it’s a good puddle. It’s a puddle of satisfaction, hope, and a full heart.