Top 10 Favorite Movies of 2023
It's that time of year when award shows are compiling their lists of the best from the previous year. We've just had the Golden Globes, the Governors Awards and more recently the Emmys, and in the next few weeks, the Academy will release their list of nominees. Personally, I love this time of year because I get to reflect on my favorite movies from the previous year. And there's a reason I say "favorite" and not "best." You can't argue with a favorite; it's open to personal taste and opinion. Granted, so is "best," but "best" carries more weight. What I consider the best, you may not agree with, and vice versa. So, with that said, here is a list of my top 10 favorite movies from 2023!
10. Dream Scenario by Kristoffer Borgli
There are two versions of Nicolas Cage that I love. The unhinged version, as seen in the 2018 Heavy Metal Horror Surrealistic Action film "Mandy" (yes, I made that up, and yes, it's very accurate), and the refined Nicolas Cage, as portrayed in the 2021 Chef Drama "Pig" (which was also my favorite film of 2021).
In "Dream Scenario," we get the beautiful mix of both the unhinged and the refined, which makes sense in a world where everyone is dreaming of Nicolas Cage. It's vastly funny, incredibly unique, but also raises the important question of who is really a victim.
Credit: A24
Credit: Neon
9. Anatomy Of A Fall by Justine Triet
A few years from now, I'll most likely look back and wish I had ranked this Palme d'Or winner higher. It's truly a brilliant film that intricately explores the mystery of whether a woman murdered her husband or not. In lesser hands, it could have been more of a conventional 'whodunit,' but what makes it exceptionally brilliant is the keen focus on the aftermath and the profound damage it leaves behind. Additionally, it boasts three of the best performances of the year by Sandra Hüller, Milo Machado Graner, and a border collie named Messi. That's right – one of the best performances this year was by a dog.
8. Saltburn by Emerald Fennell
It's been all over social media. Unless you're off the grid (and if you are, I envy you), you've heard of everything Saltburn. It's as fun as it is twisted, and I don't want to reveal more in case you haven't seen it, as you should go in as blind as you can. One last statement, though: it is the most beautifully shot film of 2023, capturing visual brilliance in every frame.
Credit: Amazon MGM Studios
Credit: 20th Century Studios
7. No One Will Save You by Brian Duffield
I'm a sucker for a silent film, and I love horror, so naturally, this felt like it was made for me. Don't let the silent film line scare you away; it's only silent in the sense that it's about a woman isolated from society protecting herself from aliens. There's plenty of really great sound design and hair-raising action that fills in. After all, you can say more with a look than you can with words. This film expertly combines the power of silence with intense soundscapes and gripping action.
6. You Hurt My Feelings by Nicole Holofcener
I loved this movie so much. No gimmicks. Nothing fancy. Just a truly great story with phenomenal acting. It felt like a Nora Ephron movie made for a modern audience. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is so sharp and perceptive in one of her best acting roles that you can truly relate to what it's like when a partner or someone you love betrays your trust. The film's simplicity and powerful performances create an emotional resonance that stays with you.
Credit: A24
Credit: Universal Pictures
5. Oppenheimer by Christopher Nolan
I mean, what's there to say other than this movie blew up the box office? An aspect of this movie not nearly talked about enough is the score. Hands down, it has the best (and yes, I say 'best' and not 'favorite,' so let's fight in the comments) score I've heard in a long time. The film's success goes beyond its explosive subject matter, with a fusion of musical composition, incredible acting, some of the best directing of Nolan's career, and cinematography that will leave your jaw on the floor. It all elevates the cinematic experience to new heights.
4. Killers Of The Flower Moon by Martin Scorcese
We are truly in the midst of one of the greatest, if not the greatest, directors of all time staying at the top of his game during his twilight years. At 81 years old, his style is still as sharp as ever, but with his age, he is making movies that have such a sense of maturity. He doesn't need to showboat anymore. He has the accolades. He has his legacy. He's simply telling the stories as honestly as he can. In the realm of honesty, there is something to be said about him reaching out to the Osage Nation before making this film, maintaining the respect this story needs by not holding back on what happened. The film is a testament to Scorsese's continued brilliance and commitment to authentic storytelling.
Credit: Apple Studios
Credit: Warner Bros
3. Barbie by Greta Gerwig
It was big, it was fun, which I expected, but what I didn't expect was to tear up. I don't want to go on and labor over this film because if you haven't seen it, I don't want to ruin anything. But what I will say, though, is that Greta Gerwig took something that could have been forgotten or felt like another 'toy movie,' but instead, she made something that I think was really important under the disguise of a hilarious spectacle that also knew how to touch our non-plastic hearts. The film seamlessly blends entertainment with a deeper emotional resonance, showcasing Gerwig's ability to elevate the seemingly ordinary into something extraordinary.
2. The Iron Claw by Sean Durkin
The Iron Claw is for the boys. As an only child who didn't grow up watching wrestling (I once punched a kid after watching Power Rangers, so my parents pretty much put an end to that), a biopic about a family of brothers who wrestle shouldn't have been on my radar, let alone one of my favorite movies. However, I left that theater wanting to call every single one of my friends who has felt like a brother to me over the years and tell them I love them. Zac Efron has come a long way from High School Musical, and if he doesn't get that Oscar nomination, I will Iron Claw anyone who agrees with him not getting it. The film's unexpected emotional impact and Efron's outstanding performance make it a standout in the wrestling biopic genre.
Credit: A24
Credit: Miramax
1. The Holdovers by Alexander Payne
This film is like a cup of hot soup on a cold day, with the fireplace going and some folk music playing in the background. It's an invitation to come in and stay awhile, to get cozy. To me, it's a perfect film. I love movies from the '70s, and this feels like it's been sitting in a vault since '77. It also looks like it, and it was my favorite cinematography from 2023 as well (I know I said Saltburn is the most beautiful, and it is. But much like Saltburn's style fits it, The Holdovers needs to look the way it does for it to work).
Every performance was excellent, and I'll be the first person rooting for one of my favorites, Paul Giamatti, just as much as I'll be rooting for Da'Vine Joy Randolph & Dominic Sessa when they get their nominations (and if they don't, I'll also give the Iron Claw to whoever agrees with them not getting it). But honestly, this was a movie that reminded me of why I want to make movies – to make people laugh, to make people cry, to make people feel enveloped in a world that isn't their own for a small percentage of time and be lost in it. It stands as a testament to the power of cinema in evoking genuine emotions and creating a lasting impact.
2023 indeed brought forth a plethora of remarkable performances and cinematography, with films that demanded the grandeur of the big screen and others that subtly commanded attention, each contributing to the cinematic landscape. I hope that there are some films on this list that you agree with, while I also hope that there are films on this list that you don’t agree with. Agreement and disagreement on film and film placement not only show how much we care about what we love, but it shows how different our views are, which encourages healthy dialogue.
I encourage everyone to share their own top 10 favorite lists in the comment section. Here's to anticipating what 2024 will bring – may it deliver both important and enjoyable works that continue to captivate and resonate with audiences around the globe! Cheers to the world of cinema and the stories that unfold on the silver screen.
For the love of movies,
Jonathan Austin
