The Best Movies of 2021
Written by Victor DeBonis
Reflective Thoughts on Film in 2021
Before I begin the list proper, I think that it makes sense to give a little context for the year of film, in general.
The best way that I can describe 2021 (in my eyes, at least) is that it was a complicated year. While it was just fine enough for me by default for being better than the “rock-bottom year” of 2020 (as well as having vaccines), it was still very obvious that everyone was trying to recover in some way from the events of the previous year.
I think that it’d be odd to find many who found a transitional year (which is also what this year was…real talk) to be great or the best year ever. If there’s anything that we should’ve learned from periods of time following a war or a catastrophic event (ie: 9/11), it’s that the process back to recovery or plain normalcy is rarely, if ever, a straightforward, easy one. It’s rarely filled with just positive points. On the path of recovery, there are both good days and bad days. The ongoing process of recovering from the COVID lockdown and situation through this year is no different.
And, one of the areas that is on a decent path but is still trying to find its way back at the time of this list, one of the areas that is closest to my heart, is the movie industry. With most movie theaters completely shutting down and postponing theatrical releases in 2020, it wasn’t as easy to find more options to watch a movie, save for what you found from streaming. Starting in the latter months of the previous year, a slow trickle of films began but not enough to healthily restore an industry that, similar to others, came to an unexpected screeching halt for several months.
In the spring of 2021, theatrical blockbusters slowly started to find their way back, arguably with “Godzilla vs. Kong.” And, at around this time, studios stopped pushing back release dates and left theatrical movies to stick with the release dates for this year, due in great part to the new presence of COVID vaccines and more and more people starting to get them. The summer of theatrical blockbusters had made a return this year, and it was a welcome one at that.
However, similar to everything else this year, there were both high points and low points in regards to the movie industry. While it was nice to see some movies start to make bank again and remind people what blockbusters were, the economic box-office returns of many movies, some of which would’ve been breaking records in previous years (ie: “Black Widow”), were less than stellar. Part of that does come from the ever-present and understandable fear of COVID and the reality that it is not vanquished forever or, at least, not minimized to the point that it’s no longer a concern when bringing up the topic or someone stating that he or she tested positive for it. The year went through a strange up-and-down process of starting to feel normal before another strain of the virus, namely Delta, came to life in the middle of the summer. Then, towards the end of 2021, we were starting to have lesser numbers of people testing positive or dying from it, but then, Omicron reared its ugly head. The back-and-forth situation with COVID naturally meant that it was harder for theaters to do financially as well with some of the new output that came its way.
With all of this said, there is something positive to take away from this year for film in the sense that we got some seriously good movies that came out this year. Theaters, despite the off-and-on financial scenario caused by the pandemic, kept their doors open, thanks in part to more and more people trying to get vaccinated, and, with more films making their way into cinemas, it resulted in a theatrical comeback in that sense which happened to include several entertaining blockbusters and even some films that pushed the mold in terms of what stories could be told.
There were so many great movies that I saw this year that, in addition to having more movies to see that weren’t just online, allowed me to create a list for 10 favorite movies of the year for me instead of just 5 like I did last year.
On top of that, even narrowing my list down to just 10 was tough because I had seen so many good films this year. Even deciding what was ultimately the best film that I saw from the list was a stiff competition because there were so many movies that were amazing but just in different ways. As a result, I had to really think about which ones would “make the cut” to speak. I had to ask myself throughout the process: Which movies made the biggest impact on me, and why? Which movies moved me the most? Which movies gripped me and rarely lost their influence? Which movies from the theater made me the happiest to be back in that comfy seat in front of that giant screen to witness the joy and wonder that the cinema often brings?
People have different ways of trying to find ways to recover or find solace through these tough times and the process of recovery. Movies were one of the top ways for me. In my trickiest times, they’ve always been around for me to help me heal and reflect, and the passage of making my way through this transition year was certainly no different. Films, such as the ones on this list, certainly played a big part in that.
A few ground rules before we begin: First of all, I haven’t seen every single movie that came out on streaming and in theaters because I am human like everyone else, so please keep that in mind.
Secondly, this entire list is just my personal opinion. Don’t take it personally, and my word is not movie Gospel. My opinions on certain movies and shows can and have changed over time. I’m human, and my opinions can evolve, too, so keep that in mind.
And, lastly, don’t get offended if something didn’t make this “Best of” list that you wanted to see or expected to. As a moviegoer, my experience is going to naturally differ from yours, and that’s completely okay. Whatever you loved or liked from movies this year, I’m happy, and I’m glad that you had a good time. If you happen to agree or enjoy what you see, please feel free to comment, and, if you disagree, you can feel free to comment as well, BUT please be respectful about it.
I reiterate that 2021 wasn’t an easy year for many people. We’re all trying to find the best ways to find solace and restore ourselves, mentally and emotionally, from this difficult time in history, so trust me when I say that trying to find an argument with someone who doesn’t agree with you about what movie or work of art, in general, is good or not is near the bottom of the list of what anybody needs, right now.
Be kind in discussing your thoughts. Be respectful. Treat others nicely in person or online.
Everyone could always use more kindness and encouragement, particularly during this time and what has been another strange whirlwind of a year.
Without further ado, let’s get to it…
10. “The Green Knight”
“The Green Knight” is a fascinating movie that isn’t precisely a brutal action film as some may think, based on the trailer, but is more of a work of art. I say this because, similar to any elaborate artwork, it has invited plenty of discussion following how people view it. Themes of mortality, obligations of duty, and the idea of a hero and knight and how some can twist or abuse that idea or role are explored thoroughly throughout this movie.
It’s a thought-provoking movie that also happens to have incredible cinematography with scenes of the woods and the kingdom so huge and carefully crafted that you could practically frame several of them on a wall and another remarkable performance from Dev Patel who portrays an unruly demeanor that gives way to confusion and a hopefulness for fulfilling a great duty or purpose in a quest that most wonder why he’s taking in the first place.
The quest itself is intriguing through what we learn about the main character and how his sense of duty and what concerns come from it are explored, sometimes in the most unnerving of ways. Not everybody will fall in love with this movie, but it’s one of the most intriguing and unique works that came to cinemas this year, and it has remained with me as one of the best from this year in those regards.
9. “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”
The Marvel Cinematic Universe, as much as I love it as a whole, had been doing works for a while that make me crave more when it does something a little different. And, the MCU movie that I saw this year that helped me connect with it the most and reminded me what a great blockbuster is capable of doing was “Shang-Chi.” The exploration of the culture and how these people work off of one another is wonderfully executed. The fight scenes in this are absolutely amazing in how they’re directed and staged. I couldn’t help but grin as different martial arts movies, such as “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and many of Jackie Chan’s movies, flipped through my mind while watching these stunts and elaborate battles unfurl. The bus fight scene alone is practically worth the price of admission alone.
Simu Liu proves himself as a fantastic, new action star, and Tony Leung excels as one of the more complex adversaries that I’ve seen in a Marvel movie in a long time. Much like “Encanto” however, the factor that really makes this film connect a bit more are the relationships between the characters. I love seeing the bond between Shang-Chi and his sister. I love how wonderfully the relationship between Liu and Awkwafina as best friends is illustrated and how much I cared about the level to which they care about each other as a brother and sister of sorts with themselves. There’s a scene that involves a mother that brings a new level of emotional weight and meaningfulness to what is essentially a family drama that also happens to be a martial-arts Marvel movie that is easily one of my favorite movie moments from 2021. And, again, while Leung’s character does devious deeds, the audience sees the path that led him to make the decisions that he does, and part of that comes from how much he loves the family that he has.
There are Marvel movies that I don’t fully get into as much as others, and I do, at times, grow weary of the same brand of humor and formula that several installments tend to fall into, and I want to see this studio take more creative risks in the future. “Shang-Chi” however, stands tall on its own and is every bit worth the hype. It is a great martial arts film, a superb family drama within the MCU, and a shining example of a great blockbuster and MCU film, in general. It’s easily in my Top 5 favorite MCU movies, and it was one of the movie-going experiences that had me wearing the biggest smile and thinking about it more happily immediately after I saw it.
8. “The Night House”
More often than not, the most chilling movies are the ones that grip you in ways that you never expected. And, while this thriller definitely has its moments that left me stunned with how wonderfully the direction was in leaving my pulse jolting through the suspense and the unexpected turns that this movie took, it also amazed me with what the movie had to say with the monstrous force in the movie.
Rebecca Hall guides us through this story with an emotionally charged performance that is unquestionably one of the best in her career. Honestly, I would love to see this actress earn the main lead in more works because she’s a true talent. And, through Hall’s daunting search to find out what is happening around her home, she also leads us through a haunting (and, in many aspects, relatable) tale about grief and depression and the darkness and loneliness that many battle against amidst the wake of such difficult experiences. “The Night House” was one example of a horror movie that took a specific monstrosity and used it to bring insight to something that many are familiar with.
While the film is smaller than an average mainstream blockbuster horror in terms of the setting, its impact is ever so strong.
7. “Encanto”
Undoubtedly the best family movie of the year, “Encanto” tells a different type of story for an animated Disney film in that there is no real villain or, arguably, a princess at the center of the story. It’s a creative and moving fantasy and family drama with a charm that is everywhere to be found, from its characters to the delightful house with a literal life of its own.
Stephanie Beatriz, who already wowed me with her awesome voicework as Gosalyn from the 2017 version of “DuckTales” once more conveys equal amounts of humor and vulnerability as the main character trying to find her place known as Mirabel. The numbers and songs in this movie, written by Lin Manuel-Miranda, are extremely catchy, energetic, and purposeful in how they tell us more about these characters and move the story forward with great momentum and care. I still find myself replaying several of these songs over and over. There are more moments here as opposed to some other Disney animated films in which characters will take time to sit down with each other and discuss their concerns or hopes and, as a result, express more why their connections to each other mean as much as they do. That especially works great, since this is a story that deals with family and the sacrifices and joys that come from within it.
Perhaps, the greatest reason that I love this movie is admittedly a reason that I don’t know if it was the filmmakers’ intention to capture this in the story. Along with all of the other elements that make this movie great, I find it endearing and meaningful that “Encanto” voices the idea about how one’s “superpower” doesn’t necessarily have to come from super strength or control over the clouds or such but, instead, from helping others and showing empathy and assisting them with them through their problems, particularly those that you love and care about.
That may sound common on the surface, but, amidst times in which there is still a little cynicism and fright about the present and the future ahead and the effects of what a pandemic that is now stretching onto its second year has left on others, this theme was especially meaningful. In this sense, “Encanto” is similar to the animated television series, “Steven Universe” in that it demonstrates kindness and empathy in the face of confusing times as some of the best superpowers that any kid or adult can have. Everything that leads to this idea and the climax of the movie depicts this theme on a superb level, and, more than any other movie, it’s the type of experience that made me come this close to tearing up in the theater.
People, it is a downright shame that this movie didn’t gain as much attention as it did when it was in theaters because this is the type of different Disney animated movie that I and others would love to see more of. This movie was pure magic.
6. “Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain”
Anthony Bourdain was a well-known chef and travel show host whose shows I, as well as family that were involved in the culinary business, followed by watching his travel shows often and still do to this day. So, one can imagine how devastated I was when I learned about his death a couple of years back. As someone who is a big fan of his work and loves to travel and write, I found this documentary to be a sincere and enthralling tribute to Bourdain and everything that helped him resonate with fans and the traveling and cooking world as well as he did.
His passion for life and food and encouraging others to travel to foreign places or take chances towards the unknown is felt all over this movie and done with great attention to detail and respect without flat-out idolization. Well-chosen home video footage, video clips, and interviews from those who knew him greatly shed immense light on the star and beloved personality that many loved and respected. Yet, this film also doesn’t shy away from the personal demons that he faced and dips into the reality that, regardless of the fame and unforgettable legacy that Bourdain achieved, he wasn’t immune to emotional or personal conflict from within (something that many can relate to, no matter whether they’re famous or not). As someone who’s a huge mental health advocate, watching this movie was one of those experiences that made me respect further and think about people that I know or care about who go through something similar to what the subject speaks about, later, in this documentary.
“Roadrunner” is a raw, wondrous, sometimes brutally honest look at the life of a man whose life was equally compelling and conflicting but, also, completely human. For someone who loves a well-executed documentary and has been in awe of what Bourdain had accomplished, I can say for certain that director Morgan Neville knew the strong impact of the writer/chef and didn’t disappoint with how he honored him.
5. “Pig”
Nicolas Cage leads this emotionally poignant story about a hermit and former culinary legend who has kept away from the human world for years following the death of his wife, but he returns to the world beyond his forest home to find his beloved truffle-hunting pig. This isn’t truly a revenge thriller where Cage goes around busting down doors and taking lives to find out what happened to his cherished pet a la “John Wick” (That would be fun to see, especially with this actor at the center.), but, as much as I love the “Wick” movies, what “Pig” offers is so much more than expected, and I mean that in the best way.
Breathtaking cinematography leads us from the tranquil woods to a deep trail through the culinary underworld and the impact that the main character left with his talents before tragedy struck. “Pig” offers a quiet, meaningful exploration of grief and great insight into what people can sometimes try to do in the wake of a great loss in hopes of finding longer-lasting solace. Alex Wolff is fantastic as Amir, the supplier who helps assist the main character in his search for his pig, bringing many layers to someone who is a little selfish and arrogant on the surface but gradually shows some of the hurt and what he was left with to lead him to where he is. Amir’s development comes from one of the most memorable arcs that I’ve seen from a character this year.
And, yes, much of this movie excels from Cage himself giving easily his best performance in years. His choice in films is sometimes questionable, but I always know what a great actor he is and how much he shines when it’s for something entertaining or especially for something different, such as this. His drive buried beneath a completely worn and weary outer presence and the pain of who he lost is written all over his steady eyes and his slow but never completely defeated motions. Tons of heart and respectful quietness for who or what is lost breathes from the acting, direction, and the movie in its entirety.
4. “The Suicide Squad”
Allowing a filmmaker to have free rein to do what he chooses can either lead to an astounding work or a blundering misfire. In the case of allowing the amazing visionary James Gunn from the “Guardians” movies to direct this sequel to the mediocre 2016 “Suicide Squad” movie and allowing him more freedom to film it as chosen, it was the former and then some. Everything about this movie feels fresh, hilarious, and is unapologetic about its snarky voice and subtle heart that reminds you that, yes, this is, indeed, a James Gunn movie and showing a talent at his peak when cut way loose. 2021’s “Suicide Squad” is refreshingly gritty and relentless with its almost slasher-like action and violence.
Every actor, from Idris Elba to Margot Robbie to Daniela Melchior, conveys humor, aggression, and vulnerability in equal amounts, and, for all of the wicked deeds that these villains perform, Gunn does what brought much of the magic to the “Guardians” movies and never lets you forget who they are as broken outcasts who seek solace in what they do, even if it’s not necessarily right. Gunn’s love for the lost and outcasts and movies, in general, is all over this film, too, and it made for one hell of an experience.
3. “Spencer”
It had been a long time since I viewed a great biopic of a historical figure, and director Pablo Larrain follows up with the amazing biopic about Jackie Kennedy with another movie about a remarkable woman from history who dealt with her share of demons and struggles but stood courageous, compassionate, and hopeful for herself and those that she loved. This movie holds nothing back in illustrating the inner conflict that Princess Diana dealt with following her decision to end her marriage to Prince Charles and leave the British royal family. “Spencer” is a somber and incredibly thoughtful movie that ponders over what it means to move forward from a horrible event or end of a relationship and what or who someone can look to when thinking about what truly matters in the present.
Every detail, right down to how spacious the palace looks and how isolated Diana appears in the middle of it all as she walks through it all, lets the audience know what Di was going through. Yet, it also shows the sweetness and humanity that Princess Di held for others, whether it was through her interactions with her sons that she adored or having conversations with others about what her legacy means and what she stands for in the eyes of others. The costumes and production design match what the era and Diana’s royal home looked like to a tee. Once again, the cinematography is stunning and practically makes one want to run through the vast countryside. And, of course, Kristen Stewart vanishes into the titular role. She has the softer voice, the mannerisms, everything down perfectly in what is undoubtedly her best performance to date. And, her moments with reflecting upon her past and how she is fighting her hardest through her present still haunt me with how raw yet powerful they are. I love a great biopic, and I hope to see more, such as this, in the near future.
Between “Jackie” and this movie, Pablo Larrain is slowly but surely making his name as one of those directors that I love seeing films from and want to support more of whenever he does something in the future.
2. “Last Night in Soho”
I’ve made it no secret that I’m a huge fan of director Edgar Wright. I love his approach to comedic movies, and, naturally, I was curious to see what he would do with a psychological horror in “Last Night in Soho.” I’m more than happy to say that Wright, once again, blew away my expectations like a carefully crafted bomb with this film. England from the 1960’s looks incredible from how it’s shot, and it really does lead into the idea that many have about the past about how carefree and superior it can be, especially in relation to the present.
Yet, this movie also takes time to observe other themes, such as trauma and the scars that it leaves upon others when they experience it. It discusses how worshipping the past, as others (and culture, for a while, tended to do) can do, can sometimes lead to overlooking the reality that, no matter what era or time you’re in, there will always be problems, some of which are either not different from those in the present or are even worse in some aspects. As someone who has openly expressed issues with the way that culture can sometimes over-glorify the past and do everything in its power to stay in it and someone who has admittedly had his own trouble of looking back to the past a bunch for solace, especially given the events of the past few years at the time that I’m writing this, this movie was somewhat cathartic for me to see. This is a smart horror movie that has a vivid and meaningful message to share with its own monsters at the center of it, and it’s my favorite type of horror that I hope to see more of.
Putting the themes aside, the movie looks awesome with its glowing lights and neon-red rooms that remind me of some of Italian director Dario Argento’s work (ie: “Suspiria”). Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy act amazingly in this movie and give some of their best work in this thriller that knows how to play with people’s expectations but in the smartest ways. Every scary moment had me either sinking further into my seat or leaving my jaw literally dropping with what was unfurling in front of me. Unlike a number of other horror movies, including a few that lost their touch over time, “Soho” chooses not to focus on shock or gore on its own but at the sheer terror and exhaustion that our main character is going through, especially in relation to determining how to deal with the trauma of herself and Taylor-Joy.
It was perfect timing for this movie to come out around Halloween of this year because, as someone who has grown to truly love the horror genre, this newer movie reminds me why I love horror as much as I do and how greatly it can work when it’s done by someone who knows how to effectively use the terror to not only effectively fright the audience but show how the monsters or spirits that we deal with have something to say about our own demons and anxieties and how our own “monstrosities” can, more often than not, come from how we choose to face what we do in our own lives. Similar to Pablo Larrain and Paul Thomas Anderson, I can’t wait to see what Wright does in the future, and I hope that he continues to experiment with his movies and show more about why the filmmaking industry is gifted to have him.
- “The Last Duel”
In the theaters’ gradual return, it was a tough call to see which movie could be considered my favorite from a year that, despite its flaws in what was going on around us and how uneven the road to recovery has been, gave us some truly great movies as cinema has gradually worked on its return. Yet, having thought about these movies and seen “Last Duel” repeatedly, both through the theater and more than once on my Blu-Ray that I’m happy to own of it, I think that I can honestly say “The Last Duel” is my favorite movie that I watched in 2021.
Why? Because it gives me pretty much everything that I want from a movie. The acting, although the British accents from some performers are still less than perfect, is great, and every actor knows how to tap into what makes these characters tick or fascinate the audience.
Matt Damon plays a knight who views himself as a humble war hero but is, in reality, a scornful, somewhat pathetic, soldier who thinks that he’s owed much more than he truly deserves. Adam Driver is terrific as a well-known knight who sees himself as noble but is, in reality, arrogant scum and unflinchingly represents a type of person that is still present today, the ugly type who believes that a specific number of years in a profession or a vast amount of power or authority automatically means that he can do whatever the hell he wants without any real consequences. Ben Affleck plays an entitled figure who embraces his power and method to abuse it with open arms. Their interactions amongst each other are entertaining but also give insight to how men in power will do whatever is necessary to assert their power or gain more, even if it means throwing others to the side to grab more of it.
Ridley Scott proves again here that there are reason for why he’s still one of those directors that, through the decades, maintains importance and is a strong figure in the industry. The way that he shoots Europe through this time is fantastic. The action scenes, although there aren’t many, make up for their small number with how awesome they are and how intense the battles are. The titular climax of this movie doesn’t disappoint and caused me to actually grit my teeth with suspense, even while I was watching this on my smaller screen at home. These fights are just that good. The movie is over two and a half hours long, but it honestly never felt that lengthy to me because of how much of this movie held my interest.
What also helped make this my favorite movie of the year is an element that I don’t find many people discussing, and that’s Lady Marguerite herself as played by Jodie Comer. Comer is amazing as this character, conveying a perfect balance of vulnerability and courage through what she goes through. The way that Comer looks at people or those that she loves, without saying a word, shows the deep level to how she feels about something or how heartbroken or hesitant but hopeful she feels about a situation. If that’s not great acting, I don’t know what is.
In general, this version of Lady Marguerite has honestly become one of my favorite characters that I’ve seen from a movie this year for the mere fact that she knows that she’s experienced something horrible, something that nobody should ever experience and that too many people still undergo today, and she fights for justice to be done for what happened. I’ll try my best not to spoil here, but, watching this movie again, I appreciated on an even greater level seeing what she dealt with and how she handled everything, before and after her assault. It was awesome to see who she was thinking of in terms of going forward. I loved seeing her compassion and intelligence. I loved the conversations that she had with others when it’s her story and how it brings to light why people sometimes have trouble or are reluctant when saying that somebody did something bad or downright evil to them.
Hell, I could almost do a small (or, at least, small for me, given my average word count) essay regarding her character alone and the ideas in this movie as a whole. The conversations in this film, in general, are great. I can’t begin to tell you how much I miss stories where much of what goes on doesn’t mainly focus on fighting a supervillain or doing scene after scene of jokes or one-liners but are instead of people sitting down to discuss how they feel about something or what their problems are or what their thoughts are regarding the conflict of the world around them.
The line “They don’t make movies like these anymore” gets used often, especially nowadays. I can’t say that I disagree with this thought, especially with how formulaic blockbusters can sometimes feel. Yet, that line especially applies for “The Last Duel.” When is the last time that you saw an epic medieval historical drama? When is the last time you saw a movie set from an era from far back that has such great action and such an epic look to how this time period is? How often do you see a historical drama, such as this, take its time to have meaningful discussions from its characters and elaborate upon themes that are just relevant now as they were centuries ago?
I will say one thing as a strong precaution to those interested in viewing this film: This movie discusses sexual assault and how people choose to respond to it after something so terrible happens to someone. As a result, since this story dives into different perspectives to show why such despicable people do such horrible actions and what the reactions tend to be from the victim and those around her, a scene of rape is shown twice in this film and in brutal detail that may understandably be too much for some viewers.
As a warning, if you don’t feel that you will be comfortable with this scene, please either proceed with caution, or consider whether you will be comfortable with watching this movie.
“The Last Duel” is definitely not for everyone, and it can be a challenging watch. Yet, in my eyes, it’s one of Ridley Scott’s best movies. It’s entertaining, thrilling, thought-provoking, and offers something different than what you find from your typical action blockbuster.