7 Movies of 2023 That Really Delivered (and No, We're Not Talking Barbie)
Don't be surprised if some of these titles take home the big awards next year.
2023 will undoubtedly have its own chapter in the annals of pop culture. It will forever be linked with the struggle (and hopefully triumph) of Hollywood writers and actors for better conditions and protection against AI.
The year also brought us the Barbenheimer phenomenon, highly anticipated shows like The Last of Us and One Piece, and the expansion of numerous cherished cinematic universes.
With all the high-profile news and events, it was easy to overlook some outstanding premieres. If you're looking to explore new projects outside the mainstream, here are seven lesser-known picks.
Past Lives
The movie offers a beautiful and meditative narrative of growth and longing, centering on two South Koreans who are deeply connected from childhood and part ways as adults. She emigrates to the United States while he stays behind. More than two decades later, they reunite to confront notions of love and destiny.
Bottoms
If you're in the mood for a comedy, Bottoms is an excellent choice. The story about two LGBTQ+ high school friends who start a feminist self-defense club to attract romantic partners is violent, hilarious, and teeming with wonderfully chaotic energy.
20,000 Species of Bees
The premise of this Spanish drama is simple and gentle: a family spends the summer in a village. However, at its core lies a whirlwind of emotions and revelations. An eight-year-old girl and her mother have a series of epiphanies that will forever change their lives.
Joy Ride
Four Asian Americans set off on a journey to China, hoping to find one of their biological mothers. However, during their travels, they discover much more: true friendship, an understanding of their identities, and self-love.
BlackBerry
If you are a fan of biopics, BlackBerry, a dramedy about the meteoric rise and catastrophic fall of the first smartphone, will be right up your alley. The film tells a profoundly serious and heartbreaking story with remarkable pacing and emotion and is a criminally underrated project.
Sick of Myself
This Norwegian thriller is a real gem for all body horror fans and anyone who enjoys dark comedy. A savagely biting narrative follows a young woman who is discontent with her boyfriend's rise to fame in the art community and decides to upstage him by doing despicable things to her own body.
Strays
On a much lighter note, a comedy about abandoned dogs who band together to take revenge on one of their former owners is a light-hearted and hilarious feel-good story that will have you laughing uproariously at every joke.