The editorial team of the 'After Credits' project decided to compile our top list of Denis Villeneuve films. Choosing the best work was incredibly difficult, but we did it.

Alongside Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve is one of the leading contemporary directors of sweeping art-blockbusters. Each new work of his becomes a landmark event in the world of cinema. The release and the colossal buzz surrounding it have only confirmed this once again. After evaluating the Canadian director's latest film, we decided to compile our subjective top list of his movies. What is your favorite Denis Villeneuve project? Write in the comments.

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5. Sicario

Total paranoia. This is what sets 'Sicario' apart from other Denis Villeneuve films. Along with the viewer, the main character struggles to understand who in her circle can be trusted. The familiar picture of the world crumbles; the cartel is too serious an opponent, capable of turning even friends against you. But whether they were ever your friends in the first place is also a question.

The pale-yellow color grading of the film conveys the fragility of reality. And again, paranoia. It's no coincidence that the action takes place in a border zone. This is a limbo where restless souls wander. In truth, they all—both cartel members and government officials—are already dead; they just haven't realized it yet. Supporting and fighting drug trafficking are two sides of the same coin, and the outcome is the same for everyone. The only way to avoid it is to leave, to abandon the limbo and never return.

4. Enemy

It's a bit sad, though not surprising, that 'Enemy' ended up so low on our list. It's a typical example of cinema 'not for everyone,' as it raises many questions it has no intention of answering. It can confuse and make you scratch your head, but it's unlikely to leave you completely indifferent.

What are those spiders walking around the city? Why are the two main characters so similar to each other, down to their scars? What do blueberries have to do with it?

However, the brilliant performance of Jake Gyllenhaal, who portrayed two completely different characters on screen, elevates 'Enemy' to a fundamentally different level, and Villeneuve's unhurried, thoughtful style immerses the viewer in an almost trance-like state. And we wouldn't be surprised if, after watching, you start searching the internet for explanations. Because the film touches you in some way. Just like it touched us.

3. Prisoners

One of Villeneuve's most popular films, which became a foundation for modern thrillers. Based on two philosophical concepts—the dilemma of justice and the perception of life as a labyrinth—the director created a classic thriller that hides not only several layers of plot beneath its form but also numerous religious references, which can confuse even an experienced viewer.

'Prisoners' is one of the most important films for Denis Villeneuve's development as a creator, shaping the image of the central protagonist of his stories: an ordinary person confronted with something extraordinary. A man meeting his doppelgänger ('Enemy'), the heir to a galactic house capable of starting a war ('Dune'), a 'cop' entangled in a huge case ('Blade Runner 2049')—these are all examples of typical Villeneuve heroes, destined to become iconic in the future. And the first steps into science fiction were also laid here: the labyrinths drawn on the walls would later transform into the patterns of an alien civilization's writing in 'Arrival'.

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2. Arrival

The hypothesis of linguistic relativity posits that the structure of a language influences the worldview, culture, and cognitive processes of its speakers. Never before has this been presented on screen as subtly and deeply as in 'Arrival,' one of the best science fiction films of recent years.

Throughout the entire runtime, it's impossible to take your eyes off the incredible Amy Adams, who is wonderfully complemented by Jeremy Renner in an unusual role for him. Villeneuve truly allowed his actors to open up and simply live on screen, which perfectly complements his thoughtful filmmaking style.

However, one doesn't want to dissect Denis Villeneuve's film into its components and try to find the secret of its success. Because 'Arrival' is beautiful in its integrity. There isn't a single unnecessary frame or an out-of-place dialogue. There is simply life, love, time, and heptapods.

1. Blade Runner 2049

The long-awaited sequel to one of the masterpieces of science fiction has become so beloved by fans that it continues to hold leading positions in film rankings and, certainly, in the top lists of Denis Villeneuve's films. 'Blade Runner 2049' became an example of the fusion of visual style and substance.

This is largely due to the magnificent team assembled to create such a large-scale project, approved by Ridley Scott himself. It included Hans Zimmer, a genius of our time for creating soundtracks, and Roger Deakins, responsible for your visual orgasm. The actors, led by Ryan Gosling, also played their part, attracting a younger audience and reviving interest in watching the ageless classic.

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A sequel can be called good if it not only continues a familiar story, preserving all its ideas and meanings, but also offers a new perspective, telling its own story. 'Blade Runner 2049' guarantees this. The themes of the first film smoothly transition into the second, revealing not only the secrets of the characters' identities but also the very essence of human life in this universe. The story makes the viewer believe in it from the very first frames and doesn't let go for a long time after viewing.

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