Top10nerScore78.595 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Destin Daniel Cretton
WRITERS: Destin Daniel Cretton
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Brett Pawlak
STARRING: Brie Larson, John Gallagher Jr., Kaitlyn Dever, Rami Malek, Keith Stanfield
GENRE: Drama, Slice of Life
Grace, a compassionate young supervisor at a foster care facility, helps at-risk teens. But when a new charge dredges up memories of her own troubled past, Grace’s tough exterior begins eroding.
Short Term 12 delivers an emotional rollercoaster with its raw portrayal of life in a group home. Through stellar performances and poignant storytelling, it invites audiences into a world of resilience, compassion, and the transformative power of human connection.
Top10nerScore78.700 / 100
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DIRECTOR: James Mangold
WRITERS: James Mangold, Scott Frank, Michael Green
CINEMATOGRAPHY: John Mathieson
STARRING: Hugh Jackman, Dafne Keen, Patrick Stewart, Boyd Holbrook
GENRE: Action, Superhero, Neo-Western
In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hideout on the Mexican border. But Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are upended when a young mutant arrives, pursued by dark forces.
Logan is a powerful and gritty addition to the X-Men universe. Its compelling narrative, coupled with Hugh Jackman’s outstanding performance, adds a mature and introspective layer to the superhero genre, resonating with both fans and critics alike.
Top10nerScore78.718 / 100
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DIRECTOR: László Nemes
WRITERS: László Nemes, Clara Royer
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Mátyás Erdély
STARRING: Géza Röhrig, Levente Molnár
GENRE: Period Drama, War, Prison Film
In the horror of 1944 Auschwitz, a prisoner forced to burn the corpses of his own people finds moral survival trying to save from the flames the body of a boy he takes for his son.
Son of Saul is a poignant exploration of humanity amidst horror. Its raw, immersive style draws viewers into a harrowing world, guided by a mesmerizing performance. A haunting testament to resilience and the pursuit of dignity in the face of unimaginable darkness.
Top10nerScore78.738 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Nadine Labaki
WRITERS: Nadine Labaki, Jihad Hojeily, Georges Khabbaz, Michelle Keserwany, Khaled Mouzanar
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Christopher Aoun
STARRING: Zain Al Rafeea, Yordanos Shiferaw, Boluwatife Treasure Bankole
GENRE: Melodrama, Drama
Zain, a 12-year-old boy scrambling to survive on the streets of Beirut, sues his parents for having brought him into such an unjust world, where being a refugee with no documents means that your rights can easily be denied.
Capernaum ignites a visceral journey into the soul of humanity, weaving heart-wrenching realism with profound empathy. Its raw authenticity and compelling narrative stir a potent cocktail of emotions, leaving an indelible mark on audiences worldwide.
Top10nerScore78.741 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Dan Gilroy
WRITERS: Dan Gilroy
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Robert Elswit
STARRING: Jake Gyllenhaal, Riz Ahmed, Rene Russo
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Crime, Satire, Neo-Noir
When Lou Bloom, desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story. Aiding him in his effort is Nina, a TV-news veteran.
Nightcrawler shines as a gritty thriller, captivating audiences with its intense portrayal of the morally murky world of crime journalism. Gyllenhaal’s chilling performance and the film’s gripping narrative leave viewers on the edge of their seats, earning it praise as a modern classic.
Top10nerScore78.751 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Paweł Pawlikowski
WRITERS: Paweł Pawlikowski, Rebecca Lenkiewicz
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ryszard Lenczewski, Łukasz Żal
STARRING: Agata Kulesza, Agata Trzebuchowska
GENRE: Drama, Period Drama
Anna, a young novitiate in 1960s Poland, is on the verge of taking her vows when she discovers a family secret dating back to the years of the German occupation.
Pawlikowski’s Ida is a breathtaking journey of self-discovery, blending stark cinematography with a haunting score. The film’s poignant exploration of identity and faith is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant, leaving a lasting impact on its audience.
Top10nerScore78.772 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Paul Thomas Anderson
WRITERS: Paul Thomas Anderson
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Mihai Malaimare Jr., Barry Idoine
STARRING: Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams
GENRE: Psychological Drama
Freddie, a volatile, heavy-drinking veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, finds some semblance of a family when he stumbles onto the ship of Lancaster Dodd, the charismatic leader of a new “religion” he forms after World War II.
The Master is a hypnotic journey through the human psyche, blending unparalleled performances by Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman with PTA’s visionary direction. This film is a profound, mesmerizing exploration of power, faith, and the fragile nature of identity.
Top10nerScore78.843 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Taika Waititi
WRITERS: Taika Waititi
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Lachlan Milne
STARRING: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Wiata, Rachel House
GENRE: Comedy, Buddy, Adventure
Ricky is a defiant young city kid who finds himself on the run with his cantankerous foster uncle in the wild New Zealand bush. A national manhunt ensues, and the two are forced to put aside their differences and work together to survive.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a delightful adventure-comedy that effortlessly weaves heartwarming family dynamics with stunning New Zealand landscapes. Waititi’s direction and the standout performances by Neill and Dennison create an unforgettable cinematic journey.
Top10nerScore78.858 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Alex Garland
WRITERS: Alex Garland
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Rob Hardy
STARRING: Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Alicia Vikander
GENRE: Science Fiction, Psychological Drama, Artificial Intelligence, Psychological Thriller
Caleb, a coder at the world’s largest internet company, wins a competition to spend a week at a private mountain retreat belonging to Nathan, the reclusive CEO of the company. But when Caleb arrives at the remote location he finds that he will have to participate in a strange and fascinating experiment in which he must interact with the world’s first true artificial intelligence, housed in the body of a beautiful robot girl.
Ex Machina is a gripping exploration of AI and human nature. Visually stunning and intellectually stimulating, it weaves a haunting tale of power, seduction, and morality. Garland’s direction is brilliant, with unforgettable performances from Vikander, Gleeson and Isaac.
Top10nerScore78.935 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Rian Johnson
WRITERS: Rian Johnson
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Steve Yedlin
STARRING: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, Lakeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford, Christopher Plummer
GENRE: Whodunit, Black Comedy
When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan’s dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan’s untimely death.
Knives Out brilliantly weaves a classic whodunit with a fresh, witty script and a stellar ensemble cast. Johnson’s meticulousness elevates this murder mystery into an engaging and highly entertaining cinematic experience, leaving audiences craving more clever mysteries like this.
Top10nerScore78.986 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Tom McCarthy
WRITERS: Tom McCarthy, Josh Singer
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Masanobu Takayanagi
STARRING: Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Michael Keaton, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Brian d’Arcy James, Stanley Tucci
GENRE: Drama, Biopic
The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.
Spotlight adeptly navigates the gritty realities of its true-life narrative, resisting the urge to romanticize its heroes, delivering a compelling drama that pays sincere tribute to its real-world subjects and encourages viewers to contemplate the profound issues at hand.
Top10nerScore79.116 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Ciro Guerra
WRITERS: Ciro Guerra, Jacques Toulemonde
CINEMATOGRAPHY: David Gallego
STARRING: Nilbio Torres, Jan Bijvoet, Antonio Bolívar, Brionne Davis, Yauenkü Miguee
GENRE: Adventure, Period Drama
The epic story of the first contact, encounter, approach, betrayal and, eventually, life-transcending friendship, between Karamakate, an Amazonian shaman, last survivor of his people, and two scientists that, over the course of 40 years, travel through the Amazon in search of a sacred plant that can heal them. Inspired by the journals of the first explorers of the Colombian Amazon, Theodor Koch-Grunberg and Richard Evans Schultes.
Embrace of the Serpent captivates with its profound exploration of indigenous cultures, breathtaking Amazonian landscapes, and an enthralling narrative that seamlessly weaves two timelines. Its cautious commitment to authenticity make it an illuminating cinematic journey.
Top10nerScore79.221 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Robert Eggers
WRITERS: Robert Eggers, Max Eggers
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jarin Blaschke
STARRING: Willem Dafoe, Robert Pattinson
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Psychological Horror
Two lighthouse keepers try to maintain their sanity while living on a remote and mysterious New England island in the 1890s.
The Lighthouse is a mesmerizing cinematic achievement that skillfully weaves folklore, stunning black-and-white visuals, and powerhouse performances by Dafoe and Pattinson. Eggers’ meticulous attention to historical detail immerses viewers in a haunting maritime nightmare.
Top10nerScore79.343 / 100
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DIRECTORS: Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement
WRITERS: Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Richard Bluck, DJ Stipsen
STARRING: Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement, Jonny Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Stu Rutherford
GENRE: Mockumentary, Vampire, Black Comedy, Horror Comedy
Vampire housemates try to cope with the complexities of modern life and show a newly turned hipster some of the perks of being undead.
What We Do in the Shadows brilliantly combines humor and horror, crafting a hilariously fresh take on the vampire genre. With its witty script and standout performances, it’s a wickedly entertaining mockumentary that sinks its teeth into satire with delightful bite.
Top10nerScore79.407 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Noah Baumbach
WRITERS: Noah Baumbach
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Robbie Ryan
STARRING: Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Laura Dern, Ray Liotta
GENRE: Drama, Family Drama
A stage director and an actress struggle through a grueling, coast-to-coast divorce that pushes them to their personal extremes.
Marriage Story expertly delves into the tumultuous journey of divorce, revealing the intricacies of human relationships. Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver’s performances are emotionally resonant, delivering a poignant exploration of love, heartbreak, and personal growth.
Top10nerScore79.410 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Greta Gerwig
WRITERS: Greta Gerwig
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Sam Levy
STARRING: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Beanie Feldstein, Lucas Hedges, Timothée Chalamet
GENRE: Coming-of-Age, Drama, Comedy
A California high school student plans to escape from her family and small town by going to college in New York, much to the disapproval of wildly loving, deeply opinionated and strong-willed mother.
Lady Bird offers poignant perspectives on the tumultuous journey through adolescence, highlighting Gerwig’s emergence as a remarkable auteur. Her distinctive storytelling shines a light on the human complexities of youth, crafting an authentic and resonant narrative.
Top10nerScore79.421 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Damián Szifron
WRITERS: Damián Szifron
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Javier Julia
STARRING: Ricardo Darín, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Darío Grandinetti, Erica Rivas, Oscar Martínez, Rita Cortese, Julieta Zylberberg
GENRE: Anthology Film, Black Comedy
Six short stories that explore the extremities of human behavior involving people in distress.
Wild Tales is an exhilarating rollercoaster of emotions and dark humor. This anthology film skillfully weaves together narratives of revenge, delivering a relentless and thought-provoking exploration of human nature through a captivating, twisted lens.
Top10nerScore79.650 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Lenny Abrahamson
WRITERS: Emma Donoghue
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Danny Cohen
STARRING: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen, Sean Bridgers, William H. Macy
GENRE: Psychological Drama, Coming-of-Age, Drama
Jack is a young boy of 5 years old who has lived all his life in one room. He believes everything within it are the only real things in the world. But what will happen when his Ma suddenly tells him that there are other things outside of Room?
Room captivates with its raw emotion and unflinching exploration of resilience. Brie Larson’s performance is a revelation, supported by a poignant narrative that navigates from darkness to hope. A gripping cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
Top10nerScore79.653 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Pedro Almodóvar
WRITERS: Pedro Almodóvar
CINEMATOGRAPHY: José Luis Alcaine
STARRING: Antonio Banderas, Penélope Cruz, Asier Etxeandia, Leonardo Sbaraglia
GENRE: Drama
Salvador Mallo, a filmmaker in the twilight of his career, remembers his life: his mother, his lovers, the actors he worked with. The sixties in a small village in Valencia, the eighties in Madrid, the present, when he feels an immeasurable emptiness, facing his mortality, the incapability of continuing filming, the impossibility of separating creation from his own life. The need of narrating his past can be his salvation.
Pain and Glory is an exquisite tapestry of human emotion, brilliantly woven together by Almodóvar’s introspective storytelling and Banderas’ career-defining performance. This film offers a profound exploration of life’s complexities and a testament to the power of self-discovery.
Top10nerScore79.753 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Sam Mendes
WRITERS: Sam Mendes, Krysty Wilson-Cairns
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Roger Deakins
STARRING: George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman
GENRE: War, Period Drama, Thriller, Adventure
At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers.
1917 has been praised for its innovative one-shot technique, capturing the visceral intensity of World War I. Deakin’s cinematography plunges audiences directly into the trenches and the soldiers’ harrowing journey, delivering an unforgettable sense of immersion.
Top10nerScore80.048 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Tomm Moore
WRITERS: Tomm Moore, Will Collins
STARRING: David Rawle, Lucy O’Connell, Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, Lisa Hannigan
GENRE: Animation, Fairy Tale, Family
The story of the last Seal Child’s journey home. After their mother’s disappearance, Ben and Saoirse are sent to live with Granny in the city. When they resolve to return to their home by the sea, their journey becomes a race against time as they are drawn into a world Ben knows only from his mother’s folktales. But this is no bedtime story; these fairy folk have been in our world far too long. It soon becomes clear to Ben that Saoirse is the key to their survival.
Song of the Sea enchants with its mesmerizing animation, poignant storytelling, and rich Celtic folklore. The film’s vibrant visuals and emotional resonance create an immersive experience that captivates audiences, making it a standout in the world of animated cinema.
Top10nerScore80.414 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Alejandro González Iñárritu
WRITERS: Alejandro González Iñárritu, Armando Bo, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Emmanuel Lubezki
STARRING: Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Zach Galifianakis, Naomi Watts, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan
GENRE: Psychological Drama, Black Comedy, Satire
A fading actor best known for his portrayal of a popular superhero attempts to mount a comeback by appearing in a Broadway play. As opening night approaches, his attempts to become more altruistic, rebuild his career, and reconnect with friends and family prove more difficult than expected.
Birdman impressively blurs the lines between reality and fiction, captivating audiences with its innovative long takes and stellar ensemble cast. Iñárritu’s and Lubezki create a unique cinematic experience, while Keaton delivers a career-defining performance.
Top10nerScore80.495 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Martin Scorsese
WRITERS: Steven Zaillian
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Rodrigo Prieto
STARRING: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano, Anna Paquin, Stephen Graham
GENRE: Biopic, Gangster Film
Pennsylvania, 1956. Frank Sheeran, a war veteran of Irish origin who works as a truck driver, accidentally meets mobster Russell Bufalino. Once Frank becomes his trusted man, Bufalino sends him to Chicago with the task of helping Jimmy Hoffa, a powerful union leader related to organized crime, with whom Frank will maintain a close friendship for nearly twenty years.
The Irishman stands as a testament to Scorsese’s enduring mastery of the crime genre, boasting a powerhouse cast and meticulous period details. Its intricate narrative explores loyalty, power, and the price of a life in the mob with unwavering precision and gravitas.
Top10nerScore80.609 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Sean Baker
WRITERS: Sean Baker, Chris Bergoch
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Alexis Zabe
STARRING: Willem Dafoe, Brooklynn Kimberly Prince, Bria Vinaite
GENRE: Drama, Slice of Life
The story of a precocious six year-old and her ragtag group of friends whose summer break is filled with childhood wonder, possibility and a sense of adventure while the adults around them struggle with hard times.
The Florida Project captures the raw essence of life on society’s margins, offering an authentic portrayal of childhood innocence against a harsh backdrop. Baker’s direction and the remarkable performances underscore its significance as an affecting slice of cinematic realism.
Top10nerScore80.625 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Todd Haynes
WRITERS: Phyllis Nagy
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Edward Lachman
STARRING: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Kyle Chandler
GENRE: Romance, Drama, LGBTQ+
In 1950s New York, a department-store clerk who dreams of a better life falls for an older, married woman.
Carol shines as a poignant exploration of forbidden love in 1950s America. Its meticulous period details, exquisite cinematography, and superb performances by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara make it a remarkable portrayal of desire and societal constraints.
