A Year In Review: Top 10 Films of 2021

A countdown of my personal favorite movies of the year!

After a lackluster year for cinema in 2020, this year brought a fantastic collection of movies to audiences around the globe. From stunning directorial debuts to familiar faces flexing their cinematic chops, 2021 delivered a number of films that are sure to be remembered as some of the best of modern cinema.

DISCLAIMER: while I tried my best see as many movies as I could, I am just a single person without the capability of watching every movie that is released, including some that I really hoped to see (The Tragedy of Macbeth, Memoria, Licorice Pizza, The Power of the Dog, Petite Maman, etc). I hope to make time for them in the near future, and if any of them happen to sneak their way into my top ten, I will make note in their individual reviews and their placement will be updated accordingly in my Letterboxd list (which documents my complete ranking of all the year’s films).

And lastly, before we jump into the list, it is important to acknowledge that there were some noteable films that did not make it onto this list but still deserve recognition. Some of these include: Dune, CODA, The Harder They Fall, and Annette. Be sure to check these out in addition to the following ten films.

10. The French Dispatch - dir. Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson’s long awaited anthology visualizes three articles which constitute the fictional magazine The French Dispatch. As in nearly every one of Anderson’s movies, each frame is a beautiful display of his unique milieu, containing planographic compositions and a pushback against naturalism. It would be a challenge not to fall in love with Wes Anderson’s visual style, and this film solidifies itself as one of his most aesthetically inventive projects to date. Though less substantive than some of his earlier work, the studious detail applied to the cinematography and production design merit this movie as one of the best of the year. Check out my full review here.

9. Judas and the Black Messiah - dir. Shaka King

In an era where emotionless and poorly produced biopics are saturating big name studios, Shaka King goes against the grain to deliver a smart and uncompromising look into the final days of revolutionary Black Panther Fred Hampton. With fantastic pacing, the narrative builds momentum through riveting performances from Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, and Dominique Fishback. Culminating in an energized and heart-wrenching third act, this film deserves every ounce of praise it has collected.

8. Spencer - dir. Pablo Larrain

In addition to Judas and the Black Messiah, Spencer also breaks the conventions of a modern biopic. While much of the genre feels like realized versions of Wikipedia articles, this film subverts expectations by zeroing in on a single weekend of Princess Diana’s life. Serving as a detailed character study, the movie undermines the flatness of cinematic biographies in a surprisingly experimental fashion. With a host of gorgeous costumes, lush cinematography and a perfectly crafted soundscape, Spencer slides comfortably in as one of the best films of the year. The highlight of this artistic splendor is Jonny Greenwood’s score which provides calm, mesmerizing jazz that tenses and tightens into panicked and claustrophobic melodies that echo the mood of the movie.

7. Some Kind of Heaven - dir. Lance Oppenheim

This documentary explores the life of retirees in Florida’s The Villages, a retirement paradise described as “God’s waiting room for heaven”. But this heaven is a disreality, and Lance Oppenheim beautifully documents the lives of a selection of residents as they navigate the pseudo-utopian landscape. Using gorgeous cinematography and editing, Some Kind of Heaven paints a devastating picture of aging and what paradise really is. Check out my full review here.

6. The Hand of God - dir. Paolo Sorrentino

With riveting performances and hilarious, subtle dialogue, The Hand of God is an emotional portrait of the Naples of Paolo Sorrentino’s childhood. Following Fabietto, a curious young teenager, we get to explore friendships, relationships, and family from an awkward yet endearing perspective. Check out my full review here.

5. Summer of Soul - dir. Ahmir-Khalib Thompson

This joyful and concise documentation of the Harlem Cultural Festival is easily my favorite documentary of the year. The film displays vibrant and energetic footage that had been forgotten for over 50 years, until it was restored and released to the public this summer. The concert recordings are interspersed with spectators commenting on the importance of the event and the current social climate to create a well-rounded picture of the culture of Harlem at the time. However, the documentary is just as devastating as it is exuberant, for when the festival concludes and the screen turns to black, we can only sit and wonder how many other cultural turning points have been forgotten by history and will never be revived.

4. Titane - dir. Julia Ducournau

Julia Ducournau’s newest hit, Titane, eclipses her previous work and explores the malleability of gender through a disturbing yet hilarious body horror film. The story follows Alexia, a dancer, and Vincent, a firefighter, as they navigate their relationships with family, each other, and themselves. If you are perturbed by a lack of originality in modern cinema, then don’t miss out on this film. It explores its subject matter with such an empathetic and authentic perspective that so rarely graces contemporary screens. Check out my full review here.

3. The Father - dir. Florian Zeller

Adapted from his own stage play, Florian Zeller’s cinematic debut with The Father presents a devastating and disorienting glimpse into the life of Anthony and his daughter Anne, who is struggling to care for her father as he slips deeper into the depths of dementia. The film toys with the fabric of reality, eventually tearing it away with outstanding editing and heartbreaking performances from the entire cast.

2. Shiva Baby - dir. Emma Seligman

Though it is set in a simple family home on the afternoon of a shiva, this dark comedy could be considered part of a new facet of the horror genre. The film instills a deep sense of panic and dread as the events of the shiva devolve into sheer chaos, all while being scored and cut like a horror movie. Despite its madness, it also delivers one of the funniest screenplays of the year and is an outstanding debut from director Emma Seligman. 

1. Limbo - dir. Ben Sharrock

Seeking asylum in a Scottish seaside town, Omar, a young Syrian musician, is stuck in limbo due to his refugee status, and the events that unfold create the best film of the year. Limbo draws from Yorgos Lanthimos and Eran Kolirin (with a hint of Wes Anderson), featuring hilarious dialogue, cozy imagery, fantastic performances, and a bittersweet screenplay. The story may be a bit slow for some, but not a second is wasted, and during the entirety of the viewing, I was enveloped by the crisp sounds and mesmerizing patterns and textures, watching the vibrant characters find themselves while surrounded by the bleak yet breathtaking backdrop of rural Scotland. While it will surely fly under the radar of the upcoming awards season buzz, do not underestimate this film. Limbo knows exactly what it wants to say, but it decides not to yell its message; instead, it delivers it quietly and thoughtfully. It provides a tender and heartfelt perspective on the refugee crisis, as well as loneliness and the feeling of finding a home.

That wraps up 2021’s list of top films! I hope you enjoyed reading, and that you take the time to check out these movies if any of them caught your interest. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read my reviews this year, and here’s to a great 2022!