Writer: Meiran Carlson
Out of the films I saw that were directed and/or released in 2021, here are the some of the ones that made my favorites list:
False Positive
Ilana Glazer co-writes and stars in this psychological thriller about a woman desperately trying to get pregnant. After discovering the horrible secret behind her fertility doctor, she realizes things aren’t always as they seem. It’s a 21st century Rosemary’s Baby, and despite the harsh reviews, the film sends an important message that it seems many critics simply did not understand.
Where to watch: Hulu Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WtWjH8GGqE
Judas and the Black Messiah
With a fantastic ensemble, Judas and the Black Messiah managed to secure six Oscar nominations and took home one for best supporting actor (Daniel Kaluuya). The film centers around Fred Hampton and the Black Panther Party and is executed brilliantly by writer/director Shaka King.
Where to watch: HBO Max Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSjtGqRXQ9Y
The Matrix: Resurrections
Lana Wachowski’s directorial return to the epic film franchise is well-deserved and well-rounded. Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss return to reprise their iconic roles and find themselves back in the thick of it. While the film is certainly a slow burn, it brings back the questions the 1999 hit offered audiences and allows us to step back into (or rather further into) the world of the Matrix.
Where to watch: Theaters or HBO Max Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ix7TUGVYIo
The French Dispatch [HL1]
Anyone who has seen Wes Anderson’s films knows how special they can feel, and The French Dispatch is no exception. In his tenth feature film, Anderson explores the journalistic approach of the past through a fictional printing press in a small French town. Bill Murray stars as Arthur Horowitz and leads a group of writers in this quaint, beautifully designed and elegantly told film.
Where to watch: Streaming on Apple TV, Vudu, and Prime Video Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcPk2p0Zaw4
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Being a highly anticipated Marvel movie with lots of theories and rumors buzzing around its name, it’s no surprise that the third installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s version of Spider-Man was the highest grossing film of the year. Peter Parker is back to try to save his reputation and enlists the help of his friends and other heroes such as Doctor Strange. The installment opens up a multitude of possibilities for Marvel’s upcoming endeavors and has been well-received globally.
Where to watch: In theaters now! Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfVOs4VSpmA
There are so many exciting (and secretive) projects slotted for a 2022 release! Here are some to look forward to:
Nope
Jordan Peele’s secretive upcoming film, Nope, was announced in July of 2021. The horror film stars
nd
While there is very little known about Wes Anderson’s upcoming film, we can expect great things. With his usual all-star cast that includes names such as Margot Robbie, Jeffrey Wright, Tom Hanks, and Maya [HL2]
Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, and Stephen Yeun and is set to release July 22 cast, a talented writer/director, and a poster that leaves much to the imagination, the film is expected to do very well.
Asteroid City
, 2022. With a promising
Hawke, the film is rumored to be a romance story set in Europe and is slotted to release sometime in late 2022. [HL3]
Don’t Worry Darling
Based on a story by authors Carey and Shane Van Dyke and Katie Silberman, Don’t Worry Darling is Olivia Wilde’s second feature film since she released Booksmart in 2019. The film is set in a 1950s utopian society where a woman (Florence Pugh) becomes suspicious of her husband (Harry Styles) and his secrets.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin Thompson return to direct the sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Fans of the original 2018 film eagerly await this continuation of Miles Morales’ story, and with the new possibilities Marvel movies have opened up within the past year, the potential storylines that could come with this film are endless. With actors such as Shameik Moore and Hailee Steinfeld
th reprising their roles, the film is set to release October 7 , 2022.
Disappointment Blvd
We can anticipate a thrilling performance from Joaquin Phoenix in Disappointment Blvd, Ari Aster’s first feature film since Midsommar. While little else is known, the film is set to be a comedy-horror, released sometime this year.
L'événement (Happening)
Based off the book by Annie Ernaux, Audrey Diwan directs Happening, set to release in America this year. The story follows a young woman in 1960s France who unexpectedly gets pregnant at a time when abortion remains illegal.