Best Movies of 2021

As awards season comes to a close I thought it was high time for me to post my top ten list of 2021. These are my personal favorites from this year and then a few bonus movies that almost made the cut. Some of these got some awards buzz, but some (regrettably) did not. This list is not what I consider the BEST movies of 2021, they’re just my personal favorites. I hope you can discover one or two that you’d like to check out. If you hate them all well then, to each their own. Here we go!

1. Flee
   Flee is one of the most unique and effective documentaries I’ve ever seen. It tells the story of a young boy, Amin, who is forced to flee Afghanistan and rely on human traffickers to make it to safety. To protect Amin’s identity, animation is used to depict his interviews and his story. An emotional and impactful documentary.
   
2. Drive My Car
   This 3 hour movie is slow moving but gives you so many things to think about. It will stir up your emotions and make you reconsider what you think you know about relationships and love. A gorgeous movie with so many insights into being a human.
   
3. The Souvenir Part II
   Writer and director Joanna Hogg follows up The Souvenir (2019) beautifully with this sequel. The semi-autobiographical tale of a young filmmaker whose lover dies of a heroin overdose concludes in a way that might surprise you. It is Hogg’s magnum opus and as per usual the cinematography is wondrous. 
   
4. The Power of the Dog
   Jane Campion has long been one of my favorite filmmakers and she has hit her peak with The Power of the Dog. It is a Western, infused with queer tones and a quiet intensity that is thrilling. Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, and Kodi Smit-McPhee put in some of the best performances of the year. 
   
5. CODA
   CODA stands for ‘children of deaf adults.’ Most of the cast of CODA are deaf and help tell the story of a family who relies on their daughter to help them make a living. When she wants to pursue singing in college, it divides the family and disrupts the cadence of their lives. This is a heartwarming story of what it means to be a family.
   
6. C’mon C’mon
   The premise of C’mon C’mon isn’t novel. A childless man has to watch his nephew for a few weeks and struggles to make sense of how to take care of a child. Joaquin Phoenix gives a compelling performance as he learns how to be a better human and truly connect with others. The premise might sound cheesy, but C’mon C’mon grew on me and I found myself picking apart its messages for days after I watched it.
   
7. Dune
   This sci-fi epic is, well, epic. You should see this on the biggest screen you can to fully enjoy the cinematography and production design. A truly fantastic adaptation from the book, Dune immerses you in this futuristic world and you won’t want to leave. 
   
8. The Tragedy of Macbeth
   Normally I do not like movies adapted from plays because they are usually boring, but writer and director Joel Coen ensures that this adaptation is one-hundred percent cinematic. The cinematography and production design are outstanding and I found myself thoroughly enjoying Shakespeare on screen. Watch out for Kathryn Hunter who steals the show as the Witches.
   
9. Pig
   Pig was one of my surprise favorites this year. Nicolas Cage plays an ex-chef turned truffle hunter who lives off the grid with his truffle hunting pig. Does it sound absurd? IT IS! But I loved it. Cage shines in a role that is right up his alley and you’ll be surprised at the depth of the story.
   
10. The Novice
    The Novice is the first feature film from writer and director Lauren Hadaway. Similar to Black Swan, this movie features a young woman who pushes herself physically and psychologically to make her university’s rowing team. Isabelle Fuhrman gives one of the most captivating performances of the year. The Novice is a tense psychological thriller about a girl who longs to be the best, no matter what it takes. 
    
    Honorable Mentions

• Shiva Baby – An excellent film debut from writer and director Emma Seligman. Shiva Baby is a tense and funny movie that shows the tumultuous time of your early twenties.
• The Mitchells vs. The Machines – This animated movie was an absolute blast to watch. It has the kind of animation innovation that’s often lacking from Pixar or Disney movies plus it’s a sweet story about family and following your dreams. 
• The Green Knight – This movie is adapted from a King Arthur legend and is a completely wild ride that you might need to watch twice to appreciate. It is without a doubt one of Dev Patel’s best performances. 
• Free Guy – This movie is just pure silly entertainment. It stars Ryan Reynolds and Jodie Comer (who I LOVE) and takes place in a video game. It sounds dumb but it was so much fun to watch in a year that desperately needed some light-hearted joy.