After watching dozens of different films, our team has decided on a list of the 10 best films of 2021 and is eager to share it with you.
This year there was a lot of amazing cinema: from the loud comebacks of long-loved franchises and heroes to impressive debuts that give hope that there is still room for auteur films in the industry. Here are the 10 best films of 2021 according to the team of the 'After Credits' project. Can you guess who captivated us the most?
10th place — 'The Last Duel'
dir. Ridley Scott
14th century, France. Marguerite (Jodie Comer), a woman of noble birth, claims she was raped by her husband's (Matt Damon) best friend (Adam Driver). The offended Carrouges (the husband) appeals to the King of France, who after a trial decrees that the dispute be settled in a deadly duel.
Ridley Scott initially seems like a tedious multi-hour drama set in the Middle Ages. This is also supported by the fact that the same situation is shown to the viewer from three perspectives, meaning you have to watch the same thing three times. But in reality, it turns out we are watching a truly intriguing detective story. Each character sees the situation differently, and observing the nuances of what is happening is so captivating that throughout the film, the viewer's attitude towards both the characters and the story as a whole will change more than once. The director gives the viewer a chance to decide for themselves which side to take, because each character has their own truth, and they remain true to their convictions until the very end.
The film is based on a true medieval story described by Eric Jager. It was adapted by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in collaboration with Nicole Holofcener. Adapted interestingly and engagingly. And the actors convincingly revealed their characters. As a result, a film that gives false concerns about boredom and heaviness appears before the viewer as a captivating story, the time of which flies by unnoticed.
9th place — 'The Father'
dir. Florian Zeller
Anthony Hopkins. Olivia Colman. The oldest actor in Oscar history to win the award for Best Actor. If that's not enough for you, and you don't pay attention to awards (and we understand why), then trust us and just turn on the film. You won't notice how you immerse yourself in this amazing cinema with a theatrical effect.
Never before has it evoked so many emotions. After watching, you will definitely think about the value of your own life. And you will surely remember the final speech as a flash of a charming hero. Nervous laughter, tragicomedy, tense time shifts create the effect of complete immersion in the state of a sick person.
As a result, we have a film that looks into the darkest and deepest corners of the soul. And Hopkins himself, who played one of the best roles of his career, said that on set he was overwhelmed by thoughts of his own mortality. He was probably not the only one.
8th place — 'Wrath of Man'
dir. Guy Ritchie
Apparently, every director must go through a certain path to then return to their roots and revive their unique style. That's what happened with Guy Ritchie. Probably, 'Aladdin' and 'King Arthur: Legend of the Sword' had to happen so that the English director, and brewer by the way, would return to his style of showdowns that we loved so much in 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' and 'Snatch'.
Based on the French crime drama 'Cash Truck' (2004). The main character of the new film is H ( Jason Statham ). He infiltrates an armored car company to investigate a series of robberies that occurred in Los Angeles. Ritchie managed to create a synthesis of American action films, of which Jason Statham is a master, and British crime thrillers. Add to this formula a strong cast — a grown-up Scott Eastwood , Josh Hartnett returning to big cinema, and the legendary Andy Garcia — and you get one of the most driving films of 2021. We can only hope that 'Operation Fortune' in 2022 won't lower the bar, and Ritchie will again delight us with his skill.
7th place — 'The Card Counter'
dir. Paul Schrader
Many believe that Paul Schrader has been writing and directing the same film all his life about a man traumatized by the horrors of war trying to adapt to life after. But if that means the creation of films like 'Taxi Driver' and , then we don't mind.
In this brilliant slow-burner, Schrader managed to perfectly embody his favorite formula: create a unique and wildly charismatic character (a poker master), immerse him in an oppressive atmosphere with nightmare memories, and then lead him on a subtle emotional path where one wrong decision can shatter the fragile structure of his new life. And the endless feeling that blood is about to be spilled excites and keeps your eyes glued to the screen until the impressive ending in every respect.
6th place — 'The Royal Game'
dir. Philipp Stölzl
After the release of 'The Queen's Gambit', making a film about chess is no longer such a risky decision. However, doing it interestingly, originally, and with taste is not an easy task. It is all the more pleasant that director Philipp Stölzl handles the task with ease.
became not only one of the best adaptations of Stefan Zweig's works but also simply a very solid drama with an open ending. Moreover, the choice of Oliver Masucci for the lead role, remembered by the audience from the sensational series 'Dark', becomes a real gift for the director. It is pleasant to watch Oliver throughout the entire considerable runtime, as he gave himself to his role 100 percent. Just the weight gain and loss alone are worth it.
On October 14, 'The Royal Game', an adaptation of Stefan Zweig and one of the contenders for the title of film of the year, is released.
Open materialMultiply all of the above by the excellent work of the cameramen and lighting technicians, and you get one of the best European films of the year.
5th place — 'Luca'
dir. Enrico Casarosa
Two young boys, Luca and Alberto, take part in a competition to fulfill their long-time dream. The boys want to get a brand new Vespa scooter that will help them embark on a long journey. On their side is youth, hinting that even to achieve unattainable goals, it is enough to just believe in yourself, shouting at the top of your lungs 'silencio bruno'.
is one of the lightest cartoons in the work of the popular American studio PIXAR, which will warmly hug you, immersing you in the bright and sunny world of a small Italian town. This is an ode to the youth of debut director Enrico Casarosa , filled with elements of the past: posters of Fellini films hung all over the city, the legendary Vespa scooter, and of course the little things that seemed valuable in childhood.
For many, 'Luca' will seem like a weak cartoon relative to the studio's lineup: after all, we are used to expecting something brilliant and with deep meaning from PIXAR, but here is a light story, mostly aimed at a young audience. But isn't such a plot necessary when there is no opportunity to go to the sea, despite the warm summer season? Therefore, by putting the final point at the right moment, the animation stands on par with 'Gravity Falls'. The days of summer are coming to an end, but there is still a whole life ahead...
4th place — 'The Hand of God'
dir. Paolo Sorrentino
A personal and original, sad and funny, beautiful and decadent new film by Paolo Sorrentino, in which the director resorts to facts from his own biography to say goodbye to youth and express his strongest love for his parents and his native Naples.
deserved a place in our top for its drama, homage to cinema and big football, but most importantly for the powerful story of young Fabietto-Sorrentino with a conflict brought to the end of the film. Growing up, loss of loved ones, the influence of certain events on human life, choosing a life path — this is far from a complete list of topics raised in the funny and tragic film by the Italian director. Both laugh and sin.
On December 15, Netflix released a new film by Paolo Sorrentino 'The Hand of God', filled with the director's life experience. We tell about another work of art by the modern Italian filmmaker.
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3rd place — 'The Power of the Dog'
dir. Jane Campion
A real psychological thriller directed by Jane Campion, the first woman to win the Palme d'Or at Cannes. This is the story of two brothers, Phil and George, who own a ranch and have diametrically opposite characters. Their world changes when George marries a modest widow, Rose.
The plot develops slowly, allowing you to feel the pain and contradictions of the characters. At the same time, the internal anxiety intensifies: the characters of Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Jesse Plemons reveal themselves in new ways with each scene, and you don't know what to expect. Natural power is used here as an amplifier for human passions, so there is an abundance of incredible landscape shots.
Campion thoughtfully explores the dynamics of relationships in an unhealthy family, attempts to escape the deep loneliness experienced by each character. But the main goal of the film is to show how destructive conventional ideas about masculinity and appropriate male behavior can be, and that often fear and vulnerability are hidden behind them.
2nd place — 'Dune'
dir. Denis Villeneuve
The adaptation of the eponymous science fiction novel by Frank Herbert by Denis Villeneuve after its release almost inevitably had to appear in most lists of the best films of the year. Ours is no exception. Already today it looks like a textbook film that in the future will stand on the same level as the adaptations of 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'Harry Potter'. There is no point in remaking such a magnificent film for the next few decades.
Let's talk about Denis Villeneuve's 'Dune' from two points of view: those who have read Frank Herbert's books and those who are first introduced to the planet Arrakis and the conflict unfolding around it.
Open materialDenis Villeneuve's directing style, brutalism in sets and costumes, music by Hans Zimmer, star cast — all the ingredients of the cocktail mixed incredibly well in the film and gave the viewer a taste of good cinema. 'Impeccable balance' between a story for sci-fi fans and lovers of auteur cinema. A meditative, slow, and contemplative art-buster, masterfully made in all respects. Definitely one of the best films of 2021.
1st place — 'Tick, Tick... Boom!'
dir. Lin-Manuel Miranda
An adaptation not only of the eponymous play but also of the life story of the creator of cult Broadway musicals Jonathan Larson, who passed away too soon, at 35. The personal drama of the hero resonates with the tension in society against the backdrop of the AIDS epidemic in the US in the 80s. The lead role in the sparkling musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda was played by the charismatic Andrew Garfield, who studied vocals for a year for this role.
The film consists of elements of a theatrical production, it has no clear boundaries, and it boldly breaks the fourth wall, immersing the viewer in what is happening. From the first minutes, it hooks you with Garfield, who, like plasticine, in one breath changes tirelessness to crushedness, joy to disappointment. From beginning to end, the film does not lose its rhythm thanks to beautiful musical numbers with quality choreography, a dynamic plot, and camera work. is an honest conversation about creative chaos, about the attempt to outrun the incessantly ticking clock in everyone's chest, about sacrifices for art and finding one's path. And simply the best film of the year according to our team.
Cover illustration author: Varvara Ulianenok
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