After the coronavirus pandemic brought almost every industry to a standstill, there was a something of a draught of new films – one which carried on for much longer than any of us had liked. With the start of 2022, it thankfully seems like things have returned to some form of normalcy.
If anything, it seems like the film industry is making up for lost time, with the sheer volume of high-quality new films hitting the silver screen. It’s so hard to keep track of all the new releases, so we’ve picked five of this year’s must-watch movies on your behalf.
The Batman
Despite being the umpteenth ‘gritty reboot’ for the caped crusader, Matt Reeves’ The Batman stands apart for its sheer brilliance. Robert Pattinson takes the tortured playboy Bruce Wayne to new emotional depths, while Colin Farrell and Paul Dano both play the villain with relish. The cinematography is nothing short of brilliant, and you will not notice the 176-minute runtime one bit.
Kimi
Kimi is a technological thriller with a prescient message, being one of few present-day films to recognise the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on society. It pairs newfound A-lister Zoe Kravitz with veteran director Steven Soderbergh, to tell a tense story about content moderation and conspiracy. This one is a must-buy from your DVD store of choice when it is released physically – just don’t let your smart speaker hear it…
The Worst Person in the World
The Worst Person in the World is Joachim Trier’s third and final entry into his “Oslo Trilogy”, which began with Reprise in 2006. Though this bittersweet romantic comedy of a finale was debuted in 2021, it is finally seeing theatrical release in 2022 – and not a moment too soon. This film is a tender exploration of love and loss, and a surprisingly affecting watch.
Turning Red
Pixar have turned a great many heads with the release of Turning Red, a phenomenal 3D animation about a cultural heritage, the expectations of family and the healing power of friendship – as well as the ins and outs of coming of age as a young teenage girl. The film is a breath of fresh air, with its honest and open portrayal of early adolescence and its specifics. Plus, the panda is undeniably cute.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
A24 has made a significant name for itself as a distributor, with an impeccable roster that couples engaging arthouse with blockbuster appeal. With the runaway success of its horror offerings Hereditary and Midsommar, they’ve demonstrated their incredible taste once again in the form of Everything Everywhere All at Once. Michelle Yeoh stars as a down-on-her-luck first-generation Chinese-American, who meets her parallel selves on a madcap journey through reality itself. This film utterly defies definition, and is all the better for it.