2022: The Year Of Great Films...

As we have now settled into the new year, here is a list of the 12 most anticipated films due to be released throughout this year. Adding some thoughts and predictions and you’ll be able to navigate the trips to the cinema for the next 12 months! Bear in mind there are hundreds of films that will hit the festivals, theatres and streaming services so these are just a curation of some of the big ones... With films like A Hero’, ‘The Worst Person in the World’, and The Batman’, we can't wait to get into the cinema for these.

Enjoy.

A Hero

Director: Asghar Farhadi

Cast: Amir Jadidi, Mohsen Tanabandeh

Release Date: 7 January 2022 (USA)

The next film by the revered Oscar-winning Iranian director, Asghar Farhadi is ‘A Hero (2021)’. This story focuses on Rahim, a prisoner, confronting his creditor after he is arrested for an outstanding debt. Farhadi’s skill of emphasising intimate and challenging narratives in the family unit is arguably unparalleled. Specifically, the interpersonal glimpse into modern day Tehran achieves an astonishing transparency of the universal human condition. Hailed as his greatest yet, A Hero will add a layer of examining the underlying problems of the incarceration system with a glimmer of class tensions. We only ask that you watch A Separation(2011) and The Salesman (2016) before you jump into this film to experience Farhadi’s truly phenomenal filmmaking at its finest. Farhardi’s previous films leave you touched and feeling introspective. This will be no different.

The Worst Person in the World (Kaspar Tuxen, Neon)

The Worst Person in the World

Director: Joachim Trier

Cast: Renate Reinsve, Anders Danielsen Lie

Release Date: 4 February 2022 (USA)

The third film in Joachim Trier’s ‘Oslo Trilogy’, The Worst Person in the World (2021), is already impressing critics for being one of the most notable and significant films of the year. It features the chronicles of being a young woman in Oslo over a period of four years. The fact that Renate Reinsve (Julie) won best actress at Cannes Film Festival 2021 should say enough. Described as a ‘modern dramedy’, it depicts a look into postmodern dating, relationships and love through a lens of blunt authenticity. Trier so successfully paints a ‘full of life’ picture inherent to the characters on screen that it pours out to the audience in front of it. Expect a reflection of mistakes, whether said or done in all-encompassing judgment of morals. More than that, expect to leave giddy with life and hopefully not evaluating your own values too much.

Souvenir: Part II

Director: Johanna Hogg

Cast: Honor Swinton Byrne, Tilda Swinton

Release Date: 4 February 2022

Part II of Johanna Hogg’s semi-autobiographical project is coming to theatres in February. The second instalment focuses on Julie creating her graduation film whilst reflecting on and grieving for her manipulative and chaotic first love. Honor Swinton Byrne will no doubt not only live up to the deserved critical acclaim she received for Souvenir (2019) but continue to subvert expectations in her break-out role. Hogg’s production structure is nothing short of gospel to independent filmmakers. Shot on 16mm, with no script only a rough plan in the form of a manuscript that’s compiled with prose and situations. It perfectly creates the touch of social realist style to observe 1980s upper class Britain in such an intimate way. This sequel should be testament to the upshot of creating a space for organic creativity.

Batman (Warner Bros.)

The Batman

Director: Matt Reeves

Cast: Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, Barry Keoghan, Colin Farrell, Peter Sarsgaard, Paul Dano, Andy Serkis

Release Date: 4 March 2022

The iconic Batman is back. In the newest take, the legendary hero faces the discovered immorality of his family. Joker (2019) introduced DC’s potential to challenge the conventional lighter (boring) tropes of the contemporary action genre. It proved DC’s knack in delving deeper into psychological levels and thus, creating an actually interesting discourse surrounding the genre. All we can hope is that while this will be a trope to witness over the next decade or so, it doesn’t become stale and storytellers can continue to reinvent how we see heroes and villains. Filled with fighting in alleys, the dark, traumatic family history, Dutch angles and a colour grading profile you need to squint to see, this one should pull it off well.

The Northman

Director: Robert Eggers

Cast: Nicole Kidman, Alexander Skarsgard, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Bjork, Willem Dafoe

Release Date: 22 April 2022

On a journey of seeking justice for his murdered father, a Viking prince battles with revenge, guilt and forgiveness. This is Robert Egger’s latest feature. Credit where credit is due, The Lighthouse (2019), is a magnificent piece of cinema. However, I have doubts about this one. One quick look at the trailer can say a lot. It seems a large influx of production cash can go straight to the head and the values of the weird and wonderful go out the window. Now, conventional cinematography being a popular word in his vocabulary. Not to mention, going this star-studded with a cast is a dangerous game. It’s bound to get social media clicks but will it go any deeper artistically? With the film world being currently oversaturated with both brilliant (i.e, The Green Knight (2021), Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)) and not so brilliant (i.e, The Last Duel (2021)) period pieces this one will only be remembered for its quantity of the famous over actual quality of cinema.

Perhaps, it’ll be a lesson to spend the money more wisely into developing and progressing your individual storytelling character. I hope Egger surprises me and I’m proven different with this prediction so don’t let me sway you. But be warned.

Untitled Elvis Presley Project

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Cast: Tom Hanks, Austin Butler

Release Date: 24 June 2022

All we know about Baz Luhrmann’s comeback is the subject, the king of rock and roll, Elvis Presley. The biopic will explore the truth behind the all-American legend and pay tribute to his prominence in music. The question is whether Luhrmann will probe into the nitty-gritty, like Presley’s relationship with the African American community or his turbulent marriage to Priscilla. All we can do is wait and pray. The visual approach, however, is more straightforward to predict. Luhrmann’s flare for the gregarious will be on show and no doubt the costume and production design will carry the more commercial cinematography. It’ll join the ranks of I, Tonya (2017) and Vice (2018) but won’t reach any further in the direction of Pablo Larraín’s biopics, Jackie (2016) or Spencer (2021). With a bit of luck newbie, Austin Butler and over his prime, Tom Hanks could create some energetic chemistry. On the flip side, it could be a little dry. As for Lurhmann, The Great Gatsby (2013) was his last feature, nearly 10 years ago and, in his hiatus, he co-created Netflix’s The Get Down (2016). So, at least we know his skills aren’t rusty. This could potentially rock.

Nope

Director: Jordan Peele

Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Steven Yeun, Keke Palmer, Barbie Ferreira

Plot:

Release Date: 22 July 2022

Ready to see exhilarating contemporary takes on racism? Esteemed director, Jordan Peele has released a poster. Now, the poster only unveils two things: the setting and the top three actors. The location is described by a lit-up town in a basin surrounded by a few mountains under a scary cloud, so evidently, it’s slightly ambiguous. Nonetheless, the names on the bottom, Daniel Kaluuya, Steven Yeun and Keke Palmer is quite a cast. IMDb also includes Euphoria star, Barbie Ferreira on the list. To enter this much credibility on a set is intimidating but this should be a breeze for someone of her ability. Our precedent to rebrand high quality, politically charged horrors as “psychological thrillers” is an attack on the horror genre. It only shows our prejudice and tendency to look down upon what we categorise as critically or artistically irrelevant in cinema. When realistically, the work done these days is anything but. Films such as The Killing of a Scared Deer (2017), Saint Maud (2019) and Lamb (2021) are experimenting and reimagining what defines horror. So, it’s exciting to see Peele label his film as a Horror and connect with these ideologies. It becomes harder to keep the good films coming the more you add to the filmography, but expect Peele to still be on his streak.

The Woman King (TriStar Pictures)

The Woman King

Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood

Cast: Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch, John Boyega

Release Date: 16 September 2022 (USA)

Perhaps the most interesting premise I have read in all of this research is The Woman King. All we know is that it is set in Dahomey (present-day Benin), the most powerful kingdom in West Africa in the 18th to 19th centuries. A quick google search illuminates us to a rich world full of interesting political sub-texts, including their enthusiastic involvement in the slave trade. It will be intriguing to see the approach from the filmmakers. Whilst the genre will remain unaffected as a drama, a personal and close method will garner a larger and more impactful understanding of the themes. If the attitude is a larger objective angle, it will turn these strong concepts into being flat. The choice to include colonialism, racism and political international relations (to name a few), can be overwhelming. The screenwriter, Dana Stevens and the director, Gina Prince-Bythewood, who also serves as a writer, both come from a background of rom-coms and melodramas. While it doesn’t fill with confidence but the audacity to make this cross-genre jump is impressive. As the story holds such potential for an educational and enthralling world, it really depends on the narrative and script they develop. Viola Davis, John Boyoga and Lashana Lynch (the new 007), however, will battle it out to see who can provide the best performance. These stars are among a sea of emerging Black actors. What better platform to make a name for yourself but this extraordinary project?

Don’t Worry Darling

Director: Olivia Wilde

Cast: Florence Pugh, Gemma Chan, Olivia Wilde, Harry Styles

Release Date: 23 September 2022

Olivia Wilde’s sophomore feature directorial project, Don’t Worry Darling is already getting a buzz within audience circles. Florence Pugh plays a 1950s housewife in a utopian community. She starts to suspect her husband, portrayed by Harry Styles, isn’t telling her everything. The success of a debut can always be attributed to a fluke but the dreaded second attempt cannot escape the direct light shone on the filmmaker. The teaser trailer is suggestive of an eventful and visually exciting plot - not exactly innovative but playing by the rules of a stylised period psychological thriller. A short time run would keep it snappy and not dry out the fresh squeeze of life it could produce. If it also brings in a sense of dry and dark humour, it could pull Wilde into the foray of ones to watch. Along with an appearance in the latest Marvel film, Eternals (2021), Harry Styles builds up his actor filmography in a co-star position. We’ll see if he’s been cast for being worthy or being famous. Florence Pugh has continued to delight audiences with her fresh and raw performances as well as her surprising comedic talent. The premise of this film should give her space to climb one rung higher on the ladder to being one of the great actresses of our time. Everything Pugh learnt long ago on her first big and innovative role, Lady Macbeth, should come in handy. Hopefully, Wilde’s directorial decisions concerning the film don’t overshadow her brilliance.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Director: Ryan Coogler

Cast: Letitia Wright, Martin Freeman, Lupita Nyong’o

Release Date: 11 November 2022

While the death of lead actor Chadwick Boseman still hangs heavy in the air, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is nearly ready to hit the theatres. It is always something to look forward to when the largest movie franchise on earth supporting and presenting accessibility to representing black communities. While no plot has been released, the film will spend its screen time honouring the lead actor (through the lead character). Our guess is that it might have trouble doing much of anything else. It’s difficult elevating the action/adventure genre in the aim of black excellence when that space has been allotted to grieving. Unfortunately, that means its dedicating screen time for a past subject instead of new stories (and the emerging black talent that comes with that). Fingers crossed it can do both. On the bright side, it’ll score highly at the box office, leaning on its fanbase to green light a third film and complete a trilogy. This gives the world (and the creators) longevity and time to bring in other characters and storylines that can continue the wonderful and exquisite work that started with the first film.

She Said (Slash Film)

She Said

Director: Maria Schrader

Cast: Carey Mulligan, Zoe Kazan

Release Date: 18 Nov 2022 (USA)

The story of Harvey Weinstein’s sexual misconduct is finally a movie. It’s no wonder the rights were snatched up, the drama is abundant. Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan play the two New York Times journalists (Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey) who disclosed and publicised Weinstein’s harassment ‘towards’ women. It’s unsure whether the narrative will favour the controversy and fallout of the expose or follow a chronological timeline piecing the puzzle together. If it can emulate anything in the realm of Spotlight (2016), we’ll be very lucky. However, the film will have to unearth some unknown findings (i.e., personal testimonies from court hearings) to keep the audience engaged. After all, everything about this ordeal is already on the internet. We have faith in the women-fronted cast and crew, especially British playwright, Rebecca Lenkiewicz, known for Ida (2013). Let’s hope the film situates itself outside of the Hollywood bubble and looks in. If it were in the bubble, you may get persuaded to overdramatise the film and drown out the severity of the events.

Babylon

Director: Damien Chazelle

Cast: Tobey Maguire, Olivia Wilde, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie

Release Date: 25 Dec 2022

The continued revival of pieces centred around Hollywood is a prominent category of film nowadays. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019), Mank (2020) and Licorice Pizza(2021) all prove the overload of this sub-genre and cause a high standard to any that try and compete. Damien Chazelle is returning to this variety of film as his own feature, La La Land, started this resurgence. He clearly isn’t finished. With the likes of such celebrity actors as Tobey Maguire, Olivia Wilde, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie set to top the bill, its already following the blueprint for success. Linus Sandgren, an Academy Award winning cinematographer joins the project, having worked with Chazelle on La La Land (2016) as well as David O Russell on American Hustle (2013) and Joy (2015). On an initial inspection and because we don’t know the plot, premise or even the proposed basis, it’s difficult to comprehend how this could go wrong. All being well with the chosen narrative and genre (whether it be romance, drama or even comedy), this one will deserve a ticket to the cinema.