Veronica Lee's Top 10 Films of 2022

Transforming expectations in a less than stellar year for cinema

by Veronica LeeSunday, 18 December 2022

'Matilda the Musical': Emma Thompson and Alisha WeirNetflix

In what feels like a less than stellar year for cinema, some films stand out. In some instances it was because I stepped a little outside my normal fare of blockbusters or star-driven vehicles and saw some films I might have thought a little too arthouse for my tastes. I'm very glad I did because otherwise I might not have seen a couple on this list.

I chose as number one a film version of a stage musical that I loved; I'm often not a fan of transformations (in either direction) as I think they can be lazy or reductive. But not Matthew Warchus's Matilda the Musical, a joyous reincarnation of Roald Dahl's story given verve by Tim Minchin's songs and Emma Thompson having a whale of a time.

1. Matilda the Musical

2. The Banshees of Inisherin

3. Living

4. Top Gun: Maverick

5. Aftersun

6. Parallel Mothers

7. The Woman King

8. Boiling Point

9. Downton Abbey: A New Era

10. Triangle of Sadness

More film reviews on theartsdesk

'Matilda the Musical' is a joyous reincarnation of Roald Dahl's story

Explore topics

Share this article

The future of Arts Journalism

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

more Film

Wicked review - overly busy if beautifully sung cliffhanger Musical theatre behemoth becomes an outsized film - and this is just part one

Snow Leopard review - clunky visual effects mar a director's swansong Tibetan filmmaker Pema Tseden bows out with a confusing tale of a beautiful predator

Mediha review - a brutalised Yazidi teen comes of age with a camera A documentary frames the video diary of a Yazidi girl who suffered horrific abuse

Blu-ray: Pharaoh Dazzling historical epic from the Polish New Wave

Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat review - jazz-themed documentary on the 1960s Congo Crisis Musicians played different roles in the struggles of the newly independent African country

Gladiator II review - can lightning strike twice? Sir Ridley Scott makes a big, bold return to the Roman Empire

ARK: United States V by Laurie Anderson, Aviva Studios, Manchester review - a vessel for the thoughts and imaginings of a lifetime Despite anticipating disaster, this mesmerising voyage is full of hope

Joy review - the birth pangs of in vitro fertilisation Subtle drama about the quest to give women a childbearing choice

Blu-ray: The Oblong Box Vincent Price and Christopher Lee in 'Witchfinder General''s phantom follow-up

Bird review - travails of an unseen English tween Andrea Arnold gives a hyperreal spin to her latest story of a neglected girl

The Problem With People review - local zero Hardly a Forsyth saga, this unfunny Oirish comedy is a homage to catatonia

Anora review - life lesson for a kick-ass sex worker Sean Baker's bracing Palme d'Or winner twists, turns, and makes a star of Mikey Madison

Follow @theartsdesk