Despite this year turning out to be weaker than the last, it still gave us some riveting cinematic experiences that won't be forgotten any time soon. There were some real gems across all genres, with horror stepping up its game and the action genre really thriving. Iconic filmmakers stepped to the plate and delivered some of the best hard-hitting dramas, while the more indie-level releases also made a huge impact. With a good mix of franchise entries and standalone films, let's get into my list of the best films of 2023.
Honourable Mentions
Kicking off the honourable mentions is Extraction 2, Netflix's gritty action sequel that features non-stop action from start to finish. The narrative isn't anything two write home about, but the action sequences are thrilling enough to make this a thoroughly enjoyable watch. With a stunning 21-minute oner as the big highlight, it's one to check out for a night of action. Pivoting to horror, Evil Dead Rise marked a triumphant return for the long-running franchise. This reboot is tense, claustrophobic and wonderfully grotesque, capturing the essence of Evil Dead in a new, refreshing package. Lastly, I'll highlight the third of Hercule Poirot's murder mysteries - A Haunting in Venice. It's by no means an exceptional movie, but it's a fun, spooky spin on the classic murder mystery. It cleverly weaves in supernatural elements to subvert expectations, making for yet another enjoyable whodunnit.
#10 - Saw X
In a tense shootout for 10th spot, my own personal bias won out and gave Saw X the privilege over Extraction 2. Despite being a long-time Saw fan, I'm shocked that this entry made it on this list, but I guess there just wasn't anything better. This entry in the Saw franchise had the guts to do something entirely different in terms of its tone, approach and structure. By recognising Tobin Bell's John Kramer as the franchise's greatest asset, the focus is put entirely on him for the very first time. It delves into the man behind Jigsaw, giving us a look into his mind and how his morals play into the games he sets. With brilliant traps and all the classic Saw elements, it's a great time to be a Saw fan, once again.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Saw X by clicking here.
#9 - Fast X
I promise this list isn't made up of films with X in the title, although this does make two years in a row. Fast X proves that there's still room for wildly outrageous, dumb fun to be had in the cinema. It's crazy, it's silly and it's utterly mesmerising - the film is a rush of adrenaline from beginning to end. The balls-to-the-wall action is exhilarating, with each action set piece being as entertaining as the last. This entry brings back all our favourite characters, while introducing Jason Momoa's Dante as the central villain. Momoa is a major breath of fresh air - bringing a performance that's insanely flamboyant and expressive to the point of feeling like a comic book villain. It's full of cheese and everything that makes the franchise so successful after ten entries.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Fast X by clicking here.
#8 - The Killer
In 2023, David Fincher dropped a new thriller on Netflix of all places. The Killer stars Michael Fassbender as an assassin hell-bent on exacting revenge on those who happened to cross the wrong man. It's slow, it's calculated and it's brilliant - the narrative takes its time in setting up each major sequence, giving us ample time to understand the motive and mindset of our protagonist. Fincher is a master of suspense, and that's all the more clear here. It's a tense ride from start to finish, polished off with some stunning cinematography that makes use of Fincher's trademark grit. Fassbender is a wonderful lead - captivating in every single scene, doing a lot with just a simple stare and stoic expression.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of The Killer by clicking here.
#7 - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
In a time where the MCU is slowly dwindling, it's great to know there's experts like James Gunn out there who can still deliver a brilliant superhero adventure. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 delivers on all fronts. It contains a fun, emotion-driven narrative where every character is given their moments to shine. The High Evolutionary is a good villain, while the handling of Adam Warlock is a major disappointment. Although, the character development of our heroes is exceptional. It's also a very action-packed affair - highlighting some refreshingly fun and exciting action sequences that hold up as being some of the best in the MCU. With great visual effects aplenty, it's a brilliant end to one of the MCU's best trilogies.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 by clicking here.
#6 - Saltburn
Where to even begin with Saltburn. Despite knowing nothing about the film prior to watching, this was nothing like anything that I was expecting. Emerald Fennell has crafted a narrative that subverts every expectation, sending you on a wild ride that's bizarre, darkly funny, heartwarming and terrifying all at once. It's intense the whole way through, never dismissing the growing psychological elements and keeping you on the edge of your seat. Headlined by captivating performances all around, this is one film you must check out, especially with knowing as little as possible about the plot. It's a hard sell, but it's phenomenally rewarding.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Saltburn by clicking here.
#5 - Scream VI
As a long-time fan of the franchise, this one hurts. Scream VI is the best of the sequels, sitting snugly behind the quality of the original. It relocates the narrative to the big city and makes full use of its setting. It's brutal, terrifying, appropriately campy and jam-packed full of thrills. The young cast of characters that make up the 'Core 4' are exceptionally well written and very well portrayed by the actors. Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega are brilliant in every scene - their chemistry as sisters is stronger than ever and it makes for a very emotionally-engaging ride. You really care about the safety of these characters, which makes the journey even more thrilling. Once again, the mystery is fantastic and the climactic payoff is a delight. However, the pain of knowing we'll never get a true sequel to this film as a result of a mind-numbingly idiotic studio decision is too great. This may unfortunately be the peak (and death) of the Scream sequels.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Scream VI by clicking here.
#4 - Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One
Who knew the Mission Impossible franchise would be hitting a new high with its 7th film 27 years later. This film delivers everything you could want and expect from a globetrotting spy thriller starring Tom Cruise. It's a huge film, sitting at nearly three hours, and still it's packed with content that could have been stretched out further. It's a high-octane, fast-paced ride with stunts, chases and action aplenty. As you may expect, there's ample twists to keep the narrative moving in new, unforeseen directions. It's ripe with suspense and brilliantly directed by Christopher McQuarrie, a man who has his finger on the pulse of this franchise. When it comes to modern spy thrillers, this is about as good as they come - it's a riveting experience that makes for a night of remarkable fun.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One by clicking here.
#3 - John Wick: Chapter 4
For a long while, it looked like nothing would be topping John Wick: Chapter 4 on this list, but alas, it's been pushed to 3rd. Nevertheless, the latest entry in the franchise does what every entry has done - upped the ante and delivered an ass-kicking experience that tops what it's done before. It's incredible that this franchise still has room to be better despite every entry being utterly exceptional. It's an entertaining action spectacle of the highest standard, where every single action set piece feels entirely unique... and not just within this film, but within the franchise. One action scene feeds into the next seamlessly, creating a non-stop run of gun shots and punches. The action is so intense that I was physically exhausted after watching it, and all I did was sit. It's a riveting story with some of the best stunt work ever put to screen, then to cap it off it features top notch performances across the board. If you haven't yet seen it, do yourself a favour.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of John Wick: Chapter 4 by clicking here.
#2 - Killers of the Flower Moon
Coming in late and rising almost to the top is Martin Scorsese's latest epic - Killers of the Flower Moon. This deep, complex true crime narrative is undeniably riveting and harrowing. Despite the enormous runtime, every second feels essential in capturing the weight of the film's biggest moments. It runs at a very slow pace, giving even the smallest dialogue scenes and character-building moments plenty of time in the spotlight. Scorsese does a great job at capturing the gruelling emotion of the narrative through brilliant character-focused storytelling, where he lets his actors command their respective scenes. With breathtaking performances across the board, but especially from Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone, there's no question this is one of the best films of the year. On top of all that - it's just stunning to look at. Rodrigo Prieto's cinematography is mesmerising, capturing the beauty and splendour of the landscape in effortless fashion.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Killers of the Flower Moon by clicking here.
#1 - Oppenheimer
As good as some of the last few entries were, there's no competition. Oppenheimer is a true cinematic masterpiece. Christopher Nolan is a master at his craft, and he's just crafted one of the most brilliant pieces of cinema. Having seen it twice already, with a third on the way, I'm still astounded by this stroke of genius. Every element of the film works in perfect unison - the cinematography is world-class, the score enhances the sensory experience, the performances are Oscar-worthy, and the narrative is the most gripping and enthralling of the year. It delves deep into the psyche of J. Robert Oppenheimer, exploring how these events impacted not only the world, but the trajectory of his life. It's a very heavy film - one which requires three hours of uninterrupted attention to really soak in the gravity of the subject matter. In order to cover so much content, it moves at a ferocious pace, pushing the narrative forward with every second. If you haven't already, do yourself a favour and witness this cinematic spectacle.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Oppenheimer by clicking here.
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