2022 has seen many unexpected surprises as to what audiences have connected to, with multiple indie and foreign titles gaining much attention. It may have taken a while for my ‘Best Of The Year’ list to properly grow, however enough titles gathered to make for expected difficulty in constructing the eventual top ten. While I’m confident with my top four the rest will likely change placements, and titles, as soon as I send this to the editors. But, for now, here are my personal top ten films of 2022:

10. Aftersun - A worry-fuelled panic attack the first viewing, an emotional wipeout the next; all revolving around the wonderfully observed relationship between the two naturally performed central characters. The visuals represent a relaxed holiday but under the surface lie plenty of subtle details. Debuts don’t often come as emotionally complex as Charlotte Wells’.

9. Cyrano - You’re brought in through the fitting detail of the words, emphasised by the visual design. Peter Dinklage leads with a stellar performance which finely captures the emotions running throughout.

8. Hustle - Not so much a sporting drama that works due to its character arcs but more how likable the central figures are. Mixed with the energy in which the story is told this is a highly enjoyable not-quite-underdog story.

7. Bodies Bodies Bodies - The best screenplay of the year; smart, funny and not forgetting its fine genre blends. Effectively speaking to its Gen Z audience, whilst branching out with cutting satire and an energetic ensemble cast.

6. Boiling Point - Boiling Point’s strong fluidity doesn’t just come from its one-shot style but the increasingly escalating tension. You feel the stress and heat of the kitchen flowing into the dining area in one of the most stressful films of the year.

5. The Northman - Robert Eggers further proves himself to be a master of visual and audible atmosphere as you’re thrown into the The Northman’s cold rage. A loud Viking roar filled with violent, cinematic intensity.

4. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery - A murder-mystery which plays with the fact that you’re playing along. A joy to watch, and re-watch, thanks again to the crammed detail in narrative, characters and scenery. But largely thanks to Rian Johnson’s gleeful playing with puzzles, riddles and the murder-mystery genre in general.

3. Clerks III - Kevin Smith’s personal reflection on his life and career so far. There’s a thoughtful stance on Dante and Randal amongst the many laughs. A far from inconvenient assurance that the Quick Stop is very much still open.

2. The Bob’s Burgers Movie - I’ve seen this five times and each time it’s been as consistently laugh-out-loud hilarious as the first. Having not seen the original TV series going in this was a fantastic surprise which reward repeat viewing thanks to its finely-whittled characters and humour.

1. The Batman - Taking Batman back to his detective roots with a character-led thriller lined with a streak of sinister threat and darkness. Not forgetting the equally engaging action. With its punchy, slow-burn style, it’s an undeniably impressive achievement.

Jamie Skinner