The Best Indie Movies Of 2022
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1Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy QuanWith a feature debut like Swiss Army Man you know the Daniels are going to give us something unexpected and incredibly entertaining. While Awkwafina didn't make the final cut due to scheduling conflicts, the cast still boasts Michelle Yeoh, Jenny Slate, and Jamie Lee Curtis, you know there are going to be some comical moments as well as incredible fight scenes.
In Everything Everywhere All at Once, Michelle Yeoh stars as Evelyn Wang, a seemingly ordinary woman grappling with the bureaucracy of her family-run laundromat. An unexpected visit from an inter-dimensional messenger (Ke Huy Quan) catapults her into a cosmic journey across parallel universes. This sci-fi comedy-drama, directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, weaves together themes of identity and connectivity in a universe-bending narrative. The film's intricate storytelling is complemented by its memorable characters including her estranged husband (James Hong) and quirky daughter (Stephanie Hsu), adding depth to this visually stunning cinematic marvel.
2Allison Janney, Andrea Riseborough, Marc MaronA mother from Texas fights to rebuild her life after she squanders her lotto winnings.
3Jerrod Carmichael, Christopher Abbott, Tiffany HaddishTwo friends, both depressed, decide to end it all. While this movie fits into many genres, comedian Jerrod Carmichael (writer, director, and star) uses his unique voice to tell a story all his own. Will Val (Jerrod Carmichael) and Kevin (Christopher Abbott) destroy each other before they can destroy themselves?
On the Count of Three is a darkly comic drama that centers on themes of friendship, mental health, and the search for a reason to live. The film follows two friends, Val (Jerrod Carmichael) and Kevin (Christopher Abbott), who are both struggling with their profound issues. On one fateful day, they decide to make a suicide pact but choose to fulfill some personal unfinished business beforehand. Their journey is both harrowing and humorous, leading to surprising self-discoveries and reflections on life's value. Directed by Carmichael in his directorial debut, the film takes a candid and often raw look at despair, camaraderie, and the human condition.
4Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry CondonSet against the backdrop of a remote Irish isle during the Civil War, The Banshees of Inisherin unfolds the darkly comedic tale of a sudden rift between two lifelong friends, Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson). When Colm inexplicably decides to end their friendship, Pádraic, aided by his sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon) and troubled young islander Dominic (Barry Keoghan), struggles to salvage the bond, only to spark a series of events that lead to shocking consequences. Directed by Martin McDonagh, this film spotlights the themes of loneliness and existentialism. It reveals the complexity of human relationships, capturing the absurdity and tragedy of severed connections.- #7 of 136 onThe Best Bromance Movies
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5Mia Goth, David Corenswet, Tandi WrightPearl, a prequel to the slasher film X, delves into the backstory of its terrifying antagonist. Set in 1918, the film peels back layers of the aspiring starlet Pearl (Mia Goth), whose dreams of Hollywood fame become entangled in her desolate life on her family farm. Trapped by the demands of caring for her ailing father and facing the oppressive constraints of the era, Pearl's craving for stardom spirals into madness and violence. The horror film exposes the dark side of ambition and the cost of unfulfilled desires. Goth’s chilling performance anchors this character study that blends tragedy with escalating terror, offering a glimpse into the origins of a monster.More Pearl
6Jenny Slate, Isabella Rossellini, Rosa SalazarMarcel is your average shell, one that watches 60 Minutes and uses honey to walk up walls. In this quirky indie mockumentary from Jenny Slate and Dean Fleisher-Camp (from their online shorts series), the titular character tries to find his family without changing too much of his present. Funny and slightly sad this weird A24 flick is perfect for kids and the young at heart.
Marcel, a 1-inch-tall shell, lives with his grandmother, Connie, the only residents of their town after their neighbors' sudden, mysterious disappearance. When discovered by a guest amongst the clutter of his Airbnb, the short film he posts online brings Marcel millions of passionate fans and a new hope of reuniting with his long-lost family.
7Cooper Raiff, Dakota Johnson, Leslie MannAcclaimed indie director Copper Raiff is continuing his winning streak with this Sundance- premiering crowd-pleaser. He stars as a listless college grad who moves home after school and stars being a bar and bat mitzvah hype man for his little brother's friends. Dakota Johnson executive produces and plays a mom to a child with autism. A sweet and hilarious coming-of-age comedy, Cha Cha Real Smooth is streaming on Apple TV+.
Fresh out of college and stuck at his New Jersey home without a clear path forward, 22-year-old Andrew begins working for bar mitzvahs; while attending a bar mitzvah, he discovers his talent as a party organizer, which brings him numerous jobs; when he forms a unique friendship with a young mother and her teenage daughter with autism, his life begins to flourish.More Cha Cha Real Smooth- #22 of 45 on50+ Quirky Romance Movies With Unique Love Stories
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8Paul Mescal, Frankie Corio, Celia Rowlson-HallTwenty years after their last holiday at a fading vacation resort, Sophie reflects on the rare time spent with her loving and idealistic father Calum. At 11-years-old, as the world of adolescence creeps into Sophie's view, Calum struggles under the weight of life outside of fatherhood. Sophie's recollections become a powerful and heartrending portrait of their relationship, as she tries to reconcile the father she knew with the man she didn't.
9Emma Thompson, Daryl McCormack, Isabella LaughlandEmma Thompson gives a career defining performance in this sex-positive comedy about a retiree who hires a young sex worker. A conversation film a la My Dinner with Andre, Good Luck to You Leo Grande is a charming and thought-provoking take about sex work like you've never seen. Daryl McCormack is a star in the making as the direct and attentive Leo Grande.
Good Luck to You, Leo Grande is a 2022 dramedy that explores self-acceptance, sexual liberation, and the quest for fulfillment. Directed by Sophie Hyde, the film follows Nancy Stokes, a retired schoolteacher (Emma Thompson), who, seeking adventure and an escape from her mundane widowhood, hires a young sex worker named Leo Grande, (Daryl McCormack). Their encounter leads to candid conversations, self-revelation, and unexpected moments of personal growth. As the two characters connect, the film presents a thoughtful examination of intimacy, pleasure, and the societal taboos around sex, particularly for an older woman. Emma Thompson's performance has been particularly lauded for her frank, vulnerable portrayal.
10David Earl, Chris Hayward, Louise BrealeyThis indie darling stole hearts at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival for its heartfelt and hilarious retelling of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. David Earl plays Brian, a lonely but sweet inventor who decides to create a robot when he comes across an abandoned washing machine in the Welsh countryside. When his plan unexpectedly works he must cope with protecting his creation from the world. Brian and Charles is a weird but quotable adaptation of an English classic.
Brian and Charles is set in the quaint Welsh countryside, where Brian (David Earl), a lonely and quirky inventor, creates Charles (Chris Hayward), an artificially intelligent robot built from various household items. Despite the robot’s massive, ungainly appearance and initial inability to function properly, a deep and comedic friendship develops between creator and creation. The film charmingly layers themes of companionship, innovation, and the human need for connection. The eccentric duo encounters adventures and hurdles, including integrating Charles into the skeptical local community, leading to moments of heartwarming humor and poignant reflection on the nature of friendship.
11Harris Dickinson, Charlbi Dean Kriek, Woody HarrelsonTwo models and a cleaning lady become stranded on a desert island with a group of billionaires.
12Olivia Colman, Micheal Ward, Colin FirthA romance develops in a beautiful old cinema on the south coast of England in the 1980s.
13Mia Goth, Jenna Ortega, Martin HendersonThe A24 logo usually signals a great indie film and horror fans will be delighted with Ti West's direction. Don't skip over this 2022 horror film, especially if you love classic slasher explotation films.
A group of actors sets out to make an adult film in rural Texas under the noses of their reclusive hosts, but when the elderly couple catches their young guests in the act, the cast finds themselves in a desperate fight for their lives.More X- #95 of 108 onThe Best Intelligent Horror Movies
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14Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie BuckleyWomen in an isolated religious colony struggle to reconcile with their faith after a series of sexual assaults.More Women Talking- #9 of 54 onThe Best Book To Film Adaptations Of 2022
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15Maika Monroe, Karl Glusman, Burn GormanHorror director Chloe Okuno plays with paranoia and female intuition in her psychological indie thriller Watcher. Maika Monroe plays an ex-pat in Bucharest who starts seeing a man consistently outside her window.
Watcher is a psychological thriller that depicts themes of paranoia, isolation, and the unnerving aspects of being constantly observed. The plot follows Julia (Maika Monroe), who moves to Bucharest with her boyfriend (Karl Glusman). As she adjusts to her new life and surroundings in a foreign city, Julia becomes increasingly convinced that she is being stalked by a figure in the building across from hers. The tension builds as her sense of reality becomes distorted, and the distinction between genuine threat and imagined fear becomes ever more tenuous. The plot builds up to a gripping climax that dissects the terror of vulnerability and the anxiety of being watched.
16Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Justin H. MinKogonada's second film is as contemplatve and low-key as his feature legth debut. An adaptation of the short story "Saying Goodbye to Yang" by Alexander Weinstein, A24 distribution, and Kogonada attached as director created quite the buzz for this sci-fi drama.
After Yang is a science fiction drama that looks into themes of memory, connection, and the essence of being human. Directed by Kogonada, the film follows a family reeling from the malfunction of their android, Yang, who has been a beloved companion and pseudo-sibling to their adopted daughter. As Jake (Colin Farrell) attempts to repair Yang, he uncovers a trove of memories recorded by the android, offering a poignant look at what Yang experienced and how he impacted each family member's life. The narrative examines identity and the intricate tapestry of human relationships through the lens of technology.More After Yang- #20 of 20 onThe Best Movies With Robots That Look Like Humans
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17Freida Pinto, Sope Dirisu, Oliver Jackson-CohenFans of Jane Austen will be most pleased with this period romantic comedy about revenge and love in regency London. Based on the book of the same name with direction from Emma Holly Jones,Freida Pinto plays a vicar's daughter who agrees to trick the most eligible bachelor in Britain after he rejects her best friend.
Mr. Malcolm's List is a Regency-era romantic dramedy that centers around the wealthy and eligible bachelor Mr. Malcolm (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù), who has a list of qualities any potential wife must meet. When he spurns a hopeful suitor, Julia (Zawe Ashton), for failing to meet his criteria, she enlists her friend Selina (Freida Pinto), to enact her revenge. Posing as the perfect match, Selina aims to meet all the items on Mr. Malcolm's list, only to find herself falling for him. The film addresses themes of societal expectations, deception, and genuine affection.
18Tom Stourton, Charly Clive, Georgina CampbellPete is cautiously excited about reuniting with his college crew for a birthday weekend. But, one by one, his friends slowly turn against him.
19Aubrey Plaza, Theo Rossi, Megalyn EchikunwokeSaddled with student debt and unable to find work, a college graduate becomes involved in a credit card scam, acting as a dummy shopper and buying increasingly risky products with stolen credit cards.More Emily the Criminal- #6 of 19 on19 Movies Where An Ordinary Person Breaks Bad
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20Jennifer Lawrence, Brian Tyree Henry, Linda EmondU.S. soldier Lynsey struggles to adjust back home in New Orleans following a traumatic injury. When she meets local mechanic James, the pair begin to forge an unexpected bond.
21Idris Elba, Tilda Swinton, Nicolas MouawadWhile attending a conference in Istanbul, Dr. Alithea Binnie happens to encounter a djinn who offers her three wishes in exchange for his freedom. This presents two problems: first, she doubts that he's real, and second, because she's a scholar of story and mythology, she knows all the cautionary tales of wishes gone wrong. The djinn pleads his case by telling her fantastical stories of his past. Eventually, she's beguiled and makes a wish that surprises them both.- #3 of 16 onThe Best Movies With Genies
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- Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song is a documentary that delves deep into the life of the iconic singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen through the lens of his most famous song, "Hallelujah." The film examines the song's evolution, from its initial limited recognition to becoming a global anthem covered by countless artists. It interweaves Cohen's personal struggles and artistic journey with interviews and performances, shedding light on his poetic mastery and the profound influence his work has had on popular culture. This documentary offers an intimate look at Cohen's creative process and the legacy of a song that transcended the artist to become a piece of cultural history.
23Benjamin Voisin, Cécile De France, Vincent LacosteLucien de Rubempré, a young, lower-class poet, leaves his family's printing house for Paris. Soon, he learns the dark side of the arts business as he tries to stay true to his dreams.
24Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Myha'la HerroldThe 2022 film Bodies Bodies Bodies is a darkly comedic take on the horror genre. A group of wealthy twenty-somethings, (Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Rachel Sennott, Pete Davidson, Myha'la Herrold, Chase Sui Wonders, Lee Pace, and Conner O'Malley) plan a hurricane party at a remote family mansion. But when they decide to play a game called "Bodies Bodies Bodies," what starts as innocent fun quickly spirals into a real-life murder mystery when they find a dead body amongst them. As the group becomes increasingly paranoid, alliances and friendships disintegrate, revealing the film’s probing themes about generational trauma, the toxicity of friendships, and the pitfalls of performative wokeness amidst a backdrop of satirical horror.More Bodies Bodies Bodies- #13 of 50 onThe Best Movies About Generation Z (So Far)
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25Lesley Manville, Isabelle Huppert, Jason IsaacsIn the heartwarming tale of Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, we follow Ada Harris (Lesley Manville), a widowed cleaning lady in 1950s London who becomes utterly enchanted by a couture Dior dress. Determined to own one herself, Mrs. Harris scrimps, saves, and eventually travels to Paris, defying her station and the snooty elitism of the fashion world. Along her journey, she not only touches the lives of those around her but also rediscovers her own sense of self and zest for life. This charming film celebrates themes of the transformative power of beauty and the breaking down of class barriers.- #18 of 81 onThe Best Movies With A Rhyming Title
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26Cate Blanchett, Noémie Merlant, Nina HossFrom director-writer-producer Todd Field comes "Tár," starring Cate Blanchett as the iconic musician, Lydia Tár. The film examines the changing nature of power, its impact and durability in our modern world.
27Wendy Chinchilla Araya, Daniel Castañeda Rincón, Ana Julia Porras EspinozaIn a remote village in Costa Rica, Clara, a 36-year-old woman, takes off on a journey to break free from social and religious conventions and become the master of her sexuality and newfound powers.
28Viggo Mortensen, Léa Seydoux, Kristen StewartAs the human species adapts to a synthetic environment, the body undergoes new transformations and mutations. Accompanied by his partner, celebrity performance artist Saul Tenser showcases the metamorphosis of his organs. Meanwhile, a mysterious group tries to use Saul's notoriety to shed light on the next phase of human evolution.
29Riley Dandy, Sam Delich, Jonah RayIt's Christmas Eve and fiery record store owner Tori Tooms just wants to get drunk and party, until the robotic Santa Claus at a nearby toy store goes haywire and makes her night more than a little complicated. Santa embarks on a rampant killing spree through the neon-drenched snowscape, ultimately forcing Tori into a blood-splattered battle for survival.
30Mark Rylance, Sally Hawkins, Rhys IfansThe Phantom of the Open tells the heartwarming and true story of Maurice Flitcroft (Mark Rylance), a shipyard worker from Barrow-in-Furness who managed to gain entry to the 1976 British Open Golf Championship qualifying, despite a complete lack of experience playing golf. The character of Flitcroft became a folk hero for his audacious attempt and indomitable spirit. The film also features the character's supportive wife (Sally Hawkins) in the plot. The film examines themes of perseverance, optimism, and the pursuit of dreams against all odds. It presents a humorous and uplifting underdog tale that captures the essence of sporting passion and the enduring human spirit.- #91 of 102 onThe Best British Comedy Movies
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