18 movies you may have missed this year but should definitely watch
Meghan Cook
- Plenty of independent movies and riveting documentaries flew under the radar this year.
- Actors like Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Stephanie Hsu, and Ben Whishaw starred in some underrated films.
Movies like "Barbie," "Oppenheimer," and "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" stole the spotlight this year.
But from independent movies to riveting documentaries, plenty of 2023 films flew under the radar.
Here are some of the best movies you may have missed — and should definitely watch — this year.
“Rye Lane” breathed new life into the romantic-comedy genre.
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
Summary: Two 20-somethings — Dom (David Jonsson) and Yas (Vivian Oparah) — bounce back from heartbreak as they spend the day together in South London.
Critics hailed "Rye Lane" as a beautiful, neon-colored romantic comedy that marked a stunning directorial debut for Raine Allen-Miller.
"'Rye Lane' is the perfect junction where comedy, heartbreak, and romance intersect beautifully that you just want to pause and bask in the vibrancy of this modern-day love story," Ruth Maramis wrote for FlixChatter Film Blog.
“BlackBerry” struck the perfect balance between comedy and drama.
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Summary: Based on a true story, "BlackBerry" tracks the arc of the world's first smartphone through the perspective of creators Mike Lazaridis (Jay Baruchel) and Jim Balsillie (Glenn Howerton).
Critics were glued to the screen watching BlackBerry's rise and fall during the tech boom.
"Pacy, well-acted, and brilliantly written, this boardroom farce pushes all right the buttons," Andy Lea wrote for Express.
“Past Lives” left fans in tears — in a good way.
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Summary: Twenty-four years after Na Young (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) formed a connection as classmates in Seoul, the two are reunited in New York City.
Critics were touched by "Past Lives" and its beautiful performances.
"A transcendent debut for South Korean-Canadian filmmaker Celine Song, this romantic drama is a masterclass in slow, simmering storytelling," Nick De Semlyen wrote for Empire magazine.
“Fremont” was a melancholic and beautiful hidden gem of a film.
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Summary: After working in Afghanistan as a translator, Donya (Anaita Wali Zada) tries to adjust to her new life working at a fortune-cookie factory in Fremont, California.
"Fremont" was hailed as a gentle, moving portrait of an immigrant carving out a new path in an unfamiliar world.
"It has plenty to say without veering into didacticism, and it's shot with a great eye for black and white photography, featuring some strikingly memorable compositions," Petr Navo wrote for Pajiba.
“Anatomy of a Fall” is a mystery that lingers with you long after you watch it.
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Summary: Sandra's (Sandra Voyter) and Samuel's (Samuel Theis) lives in the French Alps are rocked after their 11-year-old son Daniel (Milo Machado Graner) is found dead in the snow.
Brutally sad yet profound, "Anatomy of a Fall" is a gripping courtroom drama for those who are up for its sobering story.
"A death can be pinned down, as here, by details of blood spatter and snow melt. The forensics of life are harder to know," Danny Leigh wrote for the Financial Times.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus shined in the dramedy “You Hurt My Feelings.”
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
Summary: Beth (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and Don (Tobias Menzies) enjoy a peaceful, happy marriage — until she overhears Don telling a friend that he hates her latest book.
Critics said "You Hurt My Feelings" was a funny, heartfelt look into modern marriage.
Iana Murray wrote for Empire magazine, "A delightful, hilarious and deeply human film about the innate contradictions we refuse to accept."
“Passages” features multiple actors at the top of their game.
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
Summary: A couple living in Paris — Tomas (Franz Rogowski) and Martin (Ben Whishaw) — find their marriage thrown into disarray when Tomas begins a passionate affair with Agathe (Adèle Exarchopoulos).
"Passages" may focus on unlikable characters, but critics respected how brilliantly acted and intelligent the drama was.
"A film that is profoundly real, impactful, and even uncomfortable, but above all, is an artistic and complex story about three people confronted with their own sense of morality," Sergio Burstein wrote for the Los Angeles Times.
It’s hard not to fall in love with the musical comedy “Flora and Son.”
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Summary: In an effort to connect with her teenage son Max (Orén Kinlan), single mother Flora (Eve Hewson) takes up guitar lessons —and falls for LA musician Jeff (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) in the process.
Critics said John Carney, who also directed "Once" (2007), "Begin Again" (2013), and "Sing Street" (2016), had another hit on his hands.
"'Flora and Son' is a charming and lovely little film that completely took me by surprise," Mark Johnson wrote for Awards Daily.
The father-daughter film “Scrapper” feels like a warm hug.
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Summary: Twelve-year-old Georgie (Lola Campbell) feels that she's doing just fine taking care of herself after her mom dies. But she realizes she might need a little help when her dad (Harris Dickinson) comes back into her life.
Critics wrote rave reviews for Campbell and Dickinson's acting performances in the family drama.
"'Scrapper' refuses to be pigeonholed as another dreary story about working-class life," Ella Kemp wrote for Empire magazine. "Grief has hope, youth holds the keys to everything."
For a nonstop laugh riot, watch “Joy Ride."
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
Summary: Audrey (Ashley Park) and her best friend Lolo (Sherry Cola) travel to China — where they meet up with Audrey's old roommate Kat (Stephanie Hsu) and Lolo's cousin Vanessa (Sabrina Wu). But misadventure seems to follow where they go.
"Joy Ride" goes to bat for big laughs while telling a heartfelt story of friendship and identity.
"'Joy Ride' takes audiences on an uproarious expedition into the wild, offering an irresistible blend of risqué humor and unexpected revelations," Kshitij Mohan Rawat wrote for Wion.
Action-comedy “Polite Society” swept fans off their feet.
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Summary: Ria Khan (Priya Kansara) has an explosive (but extremely close) relationship with her older sister Lena (Ritu Arya). After she uncovers a dark secret, she does everything in her power to stand in the way of Lena's upcoming marriage.
"Polite Society" is a bold, colorful, action-comedy that took critics by surprise.
"A fusion of British wit, Kung Fu action movies, and Bollywood... And a very sweet celebration of sisterhood," Claudia Puig reported on the FilmWeek radio show.
“Bottoms” was ridiculous, bizarre, and incredibly fun.
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Summary: In an attempt to win over their crushes, PJ (Rachel Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri) start an all-female fight club at their high school.
Critics said "Bottoms" was bursting at the seams with jokes and an endearing charm that was hard not to love.
"Real-life friends Sennott and Edebiri are harmonious in ways that relieve them of the need to land flat-out punchlines," Clarisse Loughrey wrote for the Independent. "Instead, they just sweat funny out of their pores."
“The Royal Hotel” is an Australian psychological thriller with grit.
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Summary: American backpackers Hanna (Julia Garner) and Liv (Jessica Henwick) run out of money on their trip through Australia and take on a bartending gig in the Outback to rebuild their savings.
But their new boss Billy (Hugo Weaving) isn't who he seems.
Critics said the thriller served up a chilling, intense story helmed by phenomenal lead performances.
"'The Royal Hotel' simmers with the heat of oppressive testosterone at a pub in the Australian Outback," Hanna Flint wrote for The Standard. "That is, until it boils over with cathartic female rage."
“Mutt” was touted as one of the best indie dramas of the year.
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
Summary: Transgender man Feña (Lío Mehiel) inexplicably runs into his ex-boyfriend, half-sister, and father on a single weekend in the city after he transitioned.
"Mutt" may push buttons and bring up tough topics, but critics applauded first-time filmmaker Vuk Lungulov-Klotz for handling Feña's story with grace.
"If 'Mutt' is educational in any way, it is through its apt storytelling and truthfulness that bleeds through the screen," Savina Petkova wrote for A Good Movie to Watch. "Its significance for trans cinema cannot be overstated, but it is also one of the most accomplished debuts of 2023."
“The Blackening” is a sharp satire with a killer cast.
Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
Summary: Morgan (Yvonne Orji) and Shawn (Jay Pharoah) join their friends for a cabin getaway on Juneteenth, but a twisted killer awaits them in the woods.
More funny than scary, "The Blackening" was praised as a hilarious meta-commentary on the horror genre.
"'The Blackening' proves to be one of the silliest, smartest and most memorable comedies of 2023," Leila Latif wrote for Sight & Sound.
Theater kids, and theater kids at heart, should watch "Theater Camp."
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
Summary: After camp director Joan Rubinsky (Amy Sedaris) ends up in a coma, her eldest son (Jimmy Tatro) and top camp counselors (Molly Gordon and Ben Platt) scramble to run her summer camp and pull off a musical in her honor.
Critics came for the laughs in "Theater Camp" and stayed for the big heart at its gooey center.
"The film's creators love the theatrical arts. The movie is about children having their moment to sparkle," Michael Calleri wrote for the Niagara Gazette.
“Shortcomings” felt like an indie film straight out of the '90s.
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
Summary: Inspired by the graphic novel by Adrian Tomine, this comedic drama follows the arc of Ben's (Justin H. Min) relationship with his girlfriend Miko (Ally Maki), and its slow crumble after she moves to the east coast.
"Shortcomings" is filled with realistic dialogue and thoughtful meditations on growing up.
Robert Daniels wrote for Roger Ebert, "'Shortcomings' is a wickedly funny, absorbing character study and solo feature directorial debut by actor Randall Park."
“No One Will Save You” is an experimental sci-fi thriller.
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
Summary: Brynn (Kaitlyn Dever) lives in isolation at the edge of her community, making her a prime target when extraterrestrials invade overnight.
Critics said the film, which is almost entirely devoid of dialogue, is a testament to Dever's acting talents.
"A terrific piece of sci-fi filmmaking allowing for the horror to flow through ours (the viewer) and the character's veins, as the pressure to survive becomes exponentially more dire," Connor Petrey wrote for Pop Culture Leftovers.
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