Nathan's Top 25 Films of 2023
A lot happened in the world of film in 2023.
Masters like Scorsese, Nolan, W. Anderson, Glazer, Gerwig, Miyazaki, and Fincher all released films this year. Barbenheimer took over the world for its opening weekend. A 15 million-dollar, Toho-produced Godzilla film looked better than anything Marvel has made in the past 5 years. And while streaming services continued to put out some of the year’s best offerings, A24 put in another strong year, continuing its trend as one of the distributors who offer the best hope for the future of independent films.
The stories of 2023 were filled with heartbreak, joy, tragedy, humor, terror, and everything in between.
Here are my top 25 films of 2023.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Mission Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part 1
Air
The Elephant 6 Recording Company
Talk to Me
STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie
When Evil Lurks
Theater Camp
#25 Rye Lane
“I’m-a see what happens.”
A delightfully humorous and very English rom-com starring relatively new stars David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah.
Where to watch: Hulu
#24 American Fiction
“Potential is what people see when what’s in front of them isn’t good enough.”
American Fiction is smart, sometimes too smart for its own good. While smartly humorous and exceptionally written, it gets a bit lost in the satire.
Not a swing and a miss, more like a soft bunt to advance first. Doesn’t feel like a win, but still something to appreciate.
Where to watch: In theaters
#23 Dream Scenario
"Trauma is a trend these days.”
You can make fun of Nicolas Cage all you want, but the man is one of the greatest living performers we have today.
Dream Scenario feels like it’s trying to say something…I’m just not quite sure what. Regardless, this was really enjoyable with some laugh-out-loud moments.
Where to watch: Available to Buy or Rent
#22 Poor Things
“My empathy is creeping towards what i would describe…a contemptuous rage.”
Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo are phenomenal, the production design is top-notch, and the devilish score strikes the perfect tone.
While I found McNamara’s tight script exceptionally well written, I also found it a bit exhausting at times, just waiting for revelations that weren’t quite so obvious or over-explored.
However, let me be clear, this is NOT for everyone.*
Where to watch: In Theaters and Available to Buy
*Please reference the MPAA rating to see if this is a film you want to watch
#21 Society of the Snow
“There is no greater love than that which gives one’s life for one’s friends.”
The unbelievable power of friendship and the human spirit.
Survival movies can easily drawn out, but this finds the right balance. It never over indulges in the horror, but also doesn’t shy away from the realities of the situation.
Where to watch: Netflix
#20 Wonka
“Every good thing in this world, started with a dream. So hold on to yours.”
If you know me, you know that I LOVE Paddington, specifically Paddington 2. And this film, brought to us by the same director, the king of charm and delight, Paul King, is a fun and joy-filled version of the somewhat terrifying chocolatier. Chalamet brings an entertaining whimsy to the role that makes it clear he was told to have fun and that he took that mission to heart.
I’m excited to revisit this one.
Where to watch: In Theaters and Available to Buy
#19 May December
“I can’t tell if we’re connecting, or if I’m creating a bad memory for you in real time.”
Everyone here is at the top of their game. And Charles Melton, unexpected Riverdale alum, gives one of the scenes of the year in the conversation with his son.
While the subject matter is complicated at best, ultra-icky at worst, Haynes is an incredibly gifted writer who brings dark humor and irony to an off-kilter story filled with complicated relationships.
Where to watch: Netflix
#18 The Killer
“Stick to your plan. Anticipate, don’t improvise. Trust no one. Never yield an advantage. Fight only the battle you’re paid to fight.”
Was so prepared for this absolutely badass Michael Fassbender character who it turns out…isn’t that great at his job. It’s much funnier than I expected it to be and if you’re interested in Fincher as a director and person, this feels like a deep dive into his psychology.
Where to watch: Netflix
#17 Beau is Afraid
“I really thought I was gonna die, my whole life.”
Audacious. Absurd. Disquieting. Hilarious. Anxiety-ridden.
This film is all these things. A meandering and propulsive story that keeps you engaged even when you aren’t sure if you’re in on the joke.
With plenty of homages to film history, you’ll find yourself either annoyed or riveted by the realization that it’s impossible to predict where things are going.
And again, let me be clear, this is NOT for everyone.*
Where to watch: Showtime and Available to Buy or Rent
*Please reference the MPAA rating to see if this is a film you want to watch
#16 The Boy and the Heron
“Mahito, will you continue my work?”
By far the best soundtrack of the year.
This was marketed as the “Heron” song of a master. Hayao Miyazaki announced this was his final project, until reports came out that he showed up to the Studio Ghibli offices right after the realse. So while we don’t know whether the retirement will stick, The Boy and the Heron certainly feels like the culmination of a master’s work. Lots of big ideas, stunning visuals. and memorable characters.
Where to watch: In theaters
#15 John Wick: Chapter 4
“Friendship means little when it is convenient.”
The Arc de Triomphe sequence is a Mad Max: Fury Road-level blockbuster sequence.
I was okay with the runtime given that not only was every action sequence sublime, but we got some pretty good character work along with it.
I found it interesting that there were fairly minimal references to past entries of the franchise. A smart move that allows this to stand on its own as arguably the strongest film in the series.
Where to watch: Starz and Available to Buy or Rent
#14 The Iron Claw
“People are sometimes afraid of things they don't know.”
The rumors are true: this would be a hard story to believe if it didn’t actually happen.
The Iron Claw is completely devastating. I found myself resisting some of the ending sequences but I think I’m appreciating them more as time goes on. It makes you realize that maybe Shakespeare isn’t so far off.
Every performance in this is fantastic, Zac Efron in particular
Where to watch: In Theaters and Available to Buy
#13 Suzume
“The most important work should not be seen.”
Miyazaki is the gold standard of anime films, bringing never-before-seen worlds to our imagination. For the average American moviegoer, most anime is assumed to be a Miyazaki film because Studio Ghibli has become such a stable.
Well, make some space in your brain for another anime master. Makoto Shinkai has been slowly creating some of the most intricate stories and miraculous visuals that we’ve seen in any anime filmmaking.
After a few made-for-TV films, in 2016 Shinkai created shockwaves in the anime community with his film Your Name. In 2019 he released Weathering for You, a beautiful film that was somewhat overshadowed by the enduring popularity of Your Name.
Now he’s back with Suzume, a moving and wholly stunning work that displays an artist who is working at the top of their game. Sure the story can become a bit overstuffed with almost too many clever twists and turns, but overall it’s a moving story of the insurmountable grief that comes with a lack of control and the necessity for finding hope in the unknown.
Where to watch: Crunchyroll and Available to Buy or Rent
#12 The Promised Land
“It is the king’s land. I work for the king.”
A beautiful period piece that is both grand and intimate in its scale. It’s rare that you get a film like this from the perspective of the laborer, which makes for a fascinating character study.
Mads Mikkelson is in a league of his own.
Where to watch: Available to Buy or Rent
#11 Anatomy of a Fall
“Somebody said, of course money doesn’t make you happy, but it’s still better to cry in a car than in a subway.”
Where to watch: Available to Buy or Rent
#10 Barbie
“To be honest, when i found out the patriarchy wasn’t just about horses, i lost interest.”
This movie is a blast.
Does it have its flaws? Of course it does.
Does it have some weak subplots? Yes.
Is it an absolute joyride of visual stimulation? It sure is.
Is it a reminder of the experiences original ideas can create at the movies? Most definitely.
Did I laugh out loud multiple times? Absolutely.
Greta Gerwig's Barbie is all about creators, creation, and the trouble that ensues when the lines between the two are crossed.
The film is co-written by two of the greatest screenwriters of our time. One of which is Gerwig, who if you know anything about her, every message of this movie should have been expected. A creator will always imbue their beliefs and perspectives into the work they create, so if you find yourself rolling your eyes at moments, just remember that it's okay to disagree with someone's views without trashing the work they create. Maybe the answer to "What was [this] made for?" Is... Not you.
Barbie carries a foundational understanding that the world we were made for is one where Barbie, Ken, and even Alan, can all use their gifts to care for the world we've been entrusted with.
Where to watch: Max and Available to Buy or Rent
#9 Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse Pt. 1
“Everyone keeps telling me how my story is supposed to go. Nah. I’m-a do my own thing.”
The best thing about this is that it has more in common with The Incredibles than it does with anything in the MCU.
Where to watch: Netflix and Available to Buy or Rent
#8 Killers of the Flower Moon
“Can you find the wolves in this picture?”
Remarkable production value, riveting score, and some top-notch performances. I was unfamiliar with this story but felt like it earned its runtime for the most part. It’s a big story with a lot of elements, and it deserved the time it took to really sit in it. It is a heartbreaking story and I’m thankful a filmmaker like Scorsese chose to share it on the big screen.
Where to watch: Apple TV+ and Available to Buy or Rent
#7 Asteroid City
“I still don’t understand the play.”
“Doesn’t matter. Just keep telling the story.”
Loved the theatre structure that gave it an added dynamism.
I found this to be a fascinating approach to a lot of heavy topics, but overall, it could easily be seen as a bit too scattered. However, I was fully on board.
Anderson’s color palettes are sublime.
Where to watch: Prime Video and Available to Buy or Rent
#6 The Holdovers
“You see, history is not simply the study of the past. It is an explanation of the present.”
Restrained, melancholic, and darkly humorous, all in the best ways.
Giamatti will always deserve more recognition than he gets.
Where to watch: Peacock and Available to Buy or Rent
#5 Godzilla Minus One
“Is your war finally over?”
Welp, didn't have tearing up at a Godzilla movie on my 2023 bingo card.
This rules in ways both expected and completely surprising. The tiny-armed super monster has been pulverizing cities onscreen since the 1950s. More recent offerings have explored where the radiation-juiced dinosaur came from, but Godzilla Minus One smartly focuses on an often ignored concept in monster movies: the people.
This was both visually stunning and deeply moving as much more than a story of monsters and men, but a journey of learning to live even when carrying the deep guilt of surviving.
Where to watch: Unfortunately, nowhere at the moment
#4 Oppenheimer
“The won’t fear it until they understand it. And they won’t understand it until they’ve used it. Theory will take you only so far.”
Expectations at first viewing: Nolan's back baby, these set pieces are all gonna blow my mind
Verdict: Oh, that was good...but I can't help but feel underwhelmed by how contained this felt.
Expectations on second viewing: focus on the script, the performances, the music, and then be surprised by the set pieces when they come
Verdict: maybe Nolan's best?
Where to watch: Peacock and Available to Buy or Rent
#3 The Zone of Interest
“The life we enjoy is very much worth the sacrifice.”
Glazer is quickly becoming a master in his own right with a wholly unique perspective as a filmmaker. Glazer describing the feeling of the film as “authorless” is so accurate. There’s a distance present that shapes the entire film and family we follow. Its horror is real, so real that it’s difficult to imagine trying to portray it. The total lack of empathy from the characters alienates the audience in a way that’s completely fitting and leaves a lasting impact.
Where to watch: In Theaters and Available to Buy
#2 The Taste of Things
“It takes culture and memory for taste to form.”
👨🏻🍳🤏🏻
The opening 45 minutes is a stunning portrayal of a classic French meal being prepared in real-time. For some this may be a turnoff, for others, it’s like their favorite episode of Chef’s Table also comes with a romantic plotline.
Both performances are incredibly natural, which makes sense given that Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel were once married (which is definitely a bit weird). Well, whatever they had to do to get over that awkwardness worked beautifully. This film flows in a way where its most emotional character moments and the culmination of every recipe, keep you moving towards the edge of your seat.
Where to watch: In theaters
#1 Past Lives
“You dream in a language I can’t understand. It’s like there’s this whole place inside you I can’t go.”
This film was a breath of fresh air in the current state of Hollywood where everything is an adaptation or remake. It’s original story handles a challenging plot with a grace and control that most modern romance films fail to balance.
The "love triangle" is one of the most over-used cliches used in romantic storytelling. A plot device that pushes "following your heart" and doing what feels right in the moment, regardless of the consequences. Past Lives understands that commitment matters and love, particularly marriage, is more than a contract, it's a covenant.
Greta Lee should have been nominated for best actress, and I was particularly moved by John Magaro's performance as Nora's husband Arthur. A performance that finds the nuances between the self-doubt and total trust between two people sharing a life together.
Do yourself a favor and see this.
Where to watch: Showtime and Available to Buy or Rent