The movies from 2021 continue in our series with the final part of the series. Our access to the world’s best films has been made possible by the digitalization of the medium.
Various OTT streaming platforms have cataloged some brilliant movies that would have otherwise been absent from our horizon. Additionally, there are a few foreign films on this list, along with some other films ranging from historical to sci-fi.
There are yet again some excellent Indian presentations in the mix as well. Read on to know more about the list!
Top Movies From 2021 to Watch This Year
This second install has 24 great films, completing the set of sixty that we promised. Many picks have been carefully chosen to represent all voices from different backgrounds and cultures. Grief is a prominent theme in most of the titles in the list. But we intended to keep a balance of both, covered well by the media and a few of them that make the hearts of purists like you and me pump! Happy reading.
Don’t Look Up
IMDB – 7.2/10, Reviews
The multi-starrer film was one of the most awaited movies from 2021. The excitement was understandable with Leonardo Dicaprio, Meryl Streep, and Jennifer Lawrence headlining it. Thankfully enough, the cast and Adam McKay do not disappoint. In his satire archetype, the filmmaker touches upon various contemporary issues like politics, media, and an emerging trend of social media taking over the world. As a result, the film feels like every reasonable man’s screams and tribulations about today’s world.
High functioning CEOs or celebrity couples hogging the attention often leave the most significant points untouched. The growing confluence of money and power with essential democratic functions and watchdogs threatens to dismantle the leaps that civilization has made to date. Watching the cinematic world in ‘Don’t Look Up’ sink into utter destruction is something that none of us would like to see happen in real life.
Will the film’s reality turn into our reality? Only time can tell.
The Innocents
IMDB – 7.9/10, Reviews
The absurdist children’s genre is back. European cinema at its peak sees four children becoming besties during the summer, a time when the place looks like heaven. In the process of their interactions and no adult oversight, they unravel their hidden powers. While not instantly magical and innocuous, they starkly turn macabre as strange events overpower the innocents.
This is another gem in the disturbing children genre that doesn’t hold back in brutality and disturbing things involving children. The atmospheric mood is spot on and is an end product of the maniacal creative talents of the team behind the camera. While it mostly resists the horror label, noticeable elements, especially those that evoke fright and terror. It falls more in the territory of a psychological drama, where the tension is more abstract and hidden. In terms of exposition, Vogt hardly attempts to get bogged down by those cinematic traditions.
‘The Innocents’ is a delight for those looking for an odd, uncomfortable experience, genuinely willing to deep dive into a universe that is not easy to come back from. This movie is definitely one of the must-watch movies from 2021.
Swan Song
IMDB – 6.8/10, Reviews
‘Swan Song’ was being looked forward to as one of the most exciting movies from 2021. The futuristic themes and Mahershala Ali playing a clone raised expectations. And the film duly delivers. There aren’t many filmmakers out there who have dared to make a story within this genre. Because of how dated the execution is sometimes, the tendency is to stay away. But Benjamin Cleary makes a bold effort. By taking something already done and fusing it with a moral dilemma that is existential and extraordinary, he elevates the status of ‘Swan Song.’
The dilemma here is whether or not Cameron (Ali) will agree for Arra House, a technology conglomerate, to replace him with his clone in his house. His wife and kid are unaware that he has a terminal illness and is dying. Now, does he let his family suffer and grieve, as life’s process is supposed to be, or does he make the switch, protecting them, and in the process, deceiving them? ‘Swan Song’ clearly stands out as one of the best movies from 2021 to stream. Apple TV currently gives the option to do so.
Judas and the Black Messiah
IMDB – 7.5/10, Reviews
Political films about race do not tend to get caught too much in the details of the events playing out—the focus shifts from the story to the character, which dictates the film’s flow. ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ inverts the formula. The style it proposes to tell a real story makes the tension more enhanced and striking. Fred Hampton’s place in America’s checkered cultural history is undeniably significant. Daniel Kaluuya, in his Oscar-winning performance, breathes life into the character with precision and respect.
The vile criticism of racial incarceration that awoke an entire generation works well here. The excitement with which the story thrusts forward never dies off. Only when director Shaka King feels it upends the thematic core of his film does it subside to let you breathe? In ‘Judas,’ things threaten to go wrong at the drop of a pin. It is an exhilarating experience to witness one of history’s most ambivalent chapters about race relations in America in the ‘60s.
Cruella
IMDB – 7.4/10, Reviews
Emma Stone’s towering performance in ‘Cruella’ is one of the best movies from 2021. She is the central lead in what turns out to be another typical Hollywood feature about the good and bad guy. She is cast opposite Emma Thompson, who plays the villain. Stone plays a double role, both characters being miles apart in their personalities. The musical is beset with some fantastic costume work done by Craig Gillespie, reminiscent of ‘The Devil Wears Prada.’ The story is emotional and engaging while at the same time being a bit predictable. That does not spoil the mood of the entire appeal of the film, though.
C’mon C’mon
IMDB – 7.6/10, Reviews
Like an angelic pair, Johnny and Jesse share Mike Mills’ kind and compassionate world. The story’s structure is such that there is minimal acting from the leads and the supporting cast, yet, at the same time, it produces two of the best performances from 2021. ‘C’mon c’mon’ is the feel-good movie of the year. One of those pieces that do not aspire to earn the big bucks at the box office or get adorned with praises for technical prowess. It just intends to remain in your minds as something of a safe space, a haven that you can revisit to find comfort and support.
The highly personal ideas about identity and the nature of today’s world are beautifully woven into the screenplay about a traveling journalist by Mills. The meditative and calming tone of ‘C’mon C’mon’ is something that puts one at ease. Familiar themes are once again crossed to go beyond what has already been done by previous directors. The film goes for something completely new and does a fantastic job of creating a compelling language of love and care.
Spencer
IMDB – 6.8/10, Reviews
Pablo Larrain always manages to find a way under the surface of our age’s most famous personalities. Five years ago with ‘Jackie,’ and in 2021, with ‘Spencer.’ The dissection of two towering figures highlighting feminist movements and crystallized populist sentiment has many similarities. And they’re equally brilliant. Kristen Stewart disappears behind Princess Diana’s grief and struggles with her divorce. The actress has come a long way since starring in the ‘Twilight’ series. She is also a leading contender for the Best Actress award at the Oscar ceremony.
‘Spencer’ is not straightforward nor authentic in depicting Diana’s divorce from Prince Charles. It is fanciful, obtuse, and hardened to the core. The idiosyncratic representation might be a bit off-putting if you are not familiar with Larrain’s style and temperament. For those who are, ‘Spencer’ is one of the best movies from 2021, a cinematic experience that is singularly focused on putting you on the spot and in the personal space of its central subject.
Memoria
IMDB – 6.6/10, Reviews
Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul has gained a reputation amongst purists for his meditative cinematic style. His dialogue with the viewer is through images and a visual commentary so surreal that it is hard to tell the difference. The confluence of his world in ‘Memoria’ is equally brilliant and soulful. Tilda Swinton, the most versatile performer of her generation, is in the center of the plot as Jessica. But the details of the story itself are not necessary—the focus in ‘Memoria’ shifts to Weerasethakul’s idea that anything is possible. No matter what the boundary of something real is, the possibility that it could regress for a moment or two to allow something unimaginable to enter its orbit is palpable.
The sonic boom here encapsulates this dream-like quality in his filmmaking style. ‘Memoria’ is one of the best films of 2021 not for its creativity and emotional world, but because of how easy it makes the idea to get lost in oneself for the viewer.
The Worst Person in the World
IMDB – 7.9/10, Reviews
There are many lenses to see ‘The Worst Person in the World.’ Arguably the best movie of 2021, the Norwegian film is an exhilarating journey through a small phase in the life of Julie, a confused college student navigating the complexities of adulthood. It is a coming-of-age story about the warm familiarizing with maturity from adolescence. It is about personal growth and how different life events shape us. Yet, it is also about the freedom of choice, how free will emerges amidst the changing barometer of success in life.
But most importantly, the film is about the individual. Julie’s story resonates with prominent social themes that have become fanciful in modern cinema. Here, director Joachim Trier is generous in not making the tenor of the themes too condescending. Instead, he establishes a transparent dialogue with the audience and engages them to feel with his lead. Renate Reinsve makes an outstanding turn as Julie. Her performance is complete and does justice to the title of the film.
Boiling Point
IMDB – 7.6/10, Reviews
If you liked ‘Shiva Baby’ in the previous list, ‘Boiling Point’ would be your favorite movie of 2021. The setup is a kitchen in a high-end restaurant that is grossly overbooked. The entire one-shot film traverses the length and breadth of the enterprise and the personal life of its protagonist, head chef Andy Jones (Steven Graham). Philip Barantini formulates one of the best films of 2021 that is as anxiety-inducing as ‘Uncut Gems.’ It brings to light the highly demanding nature of the kitchen industry in marquee cities of the world.
The narrative will leave you breathless and guessing about what is coming next. Its nose dives into an inevitable tragedy waiting to happen after starting, bite gingerly. Just like the title, everything that happens in the kitchen comes to one and nearly implodes. The mix of several factors weighs in on the palpable sense of tempers flaring and matters about to go off hand. If you are a cooking enthusiast, maybe watch this with this caveat in mind!
Mass
IMDB – 7.7/10, Reviews
Grief plays a heavy part in ‘Mass.’ The film’s unique setup leads to a confrontation between the two streams of energies that we see come together at a tiny table. The inevitable tragedy that the narrative moves towards is heartbreaking and realizes itself midway through the pseudo “seance.” It might be a bit far-fetched and even insulting to deem it that, but it is an apt description. ‘Mass’ is the second film of 2021 to address the trauma of a school shooting. Keeping the two side by side proves the importance of perspective in storytelling.
Creative choices play an essential role in determining the side that comes on screen. ‘Mass’ sees the parents of the victim and the perpetrator meet after six years to discuss their feelings and how their families have coped. In certain instances, the exercise itself seems futile to the participants. At other moments, it was overwhelming. The entire narration plays out in this fashion eventually to drown you in the distinct suffering of the two families.
It is one of the best standout drama movies from 2021 that never compromises on its substance. The theater-like setup is intended to put the feelings of the characters and their processing of the events of the shooting.
Once Upon a Time in Calcutta
IMDB – 7.2/10, Reviews
Most films whose titles start with “once upon a time” often channel the power of nostalgia. Harkening back to lost glory or visualizing a solemn future, the central conflict plays out around it. Aditya Vikram Sengupta’s film does exactly that. Set in Calcutta, his lyrical, experimental style puts Ela in the middle of a maelstrom, quietly brewing in her ordinary life. Sengupta’s deliberative tone and minimalist writing style often focus on what you see on the screen.
The magic of his camera captures the city beautifully and Ela and other characters through a layer of estrangement. There are hints of an identity crisis, both individually and collectively. This makes watching the film a rewarding introspection into human nature. Sengupta takes a cue from recent depictions of women who have had to endure tragedy and yearn for happiness by anointing Ela with absorbing, reflective moments to herself.
‘Once Upon a Calcutta’ was one of 2021’s best Indian films that could never reach the extent of audiences it deserves. Well, maybe now it can!
West Side Story
IMDB – 7.8/10, Reviews
Stephen Sondheim’s shocking demise welcomed Steven Spielberg’s dream project ‘West Side Story’ in November 2021. The movie is based on the Broadway show written by Sodenheim and co. The Jets vs. Sharks story, first famously brought to screen by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, continues in Speilberg’s inspired style. The tremendous musical numbers and vast cast are a great attraction for the film. You will not find many moments that do not promise the thrill of visiting the cinemas for old times’ sake. It is an out-and-out entertainer that remains true to the spirit of its source.
Spielberg blends modern sensibilities with the old charm of movie magic that defined decades of creative works as expected of him. His interpretation works as a prospective and retrospective take on the film’s competing themes.
Licorice Pizza
IMDB – 7.9/10, Reviews
Paul Thomas Anderson is a generational talent. The filmmaker is a complete one – writing, directing, and having a say on the final cut of his films. He has given American cinema some of its most cherished films of this century – ‘There Will be Blood,’ ‘The Master,’ and now ‘Licorice Pizza.’ Starring Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, and Bradley Cooper in a supporting role, the background is 1973, San Fernando Valley, and the coming of age of a 15-year old Gary Valentine. Like most PTA protagonists, Gary’s lack of direction in life is redeemed by a much older Alana Kane.
She becomes the center of his world. Anderson’s nostalgic trip back to those times is eventfully brought to life. His focus and observant recreation make for the perfect setting for another odd-ball love story to blossom and thrive. ‘Licorice Pizza’ stands out as one of the best movies from 2021, and that will arguably inspire many filmmakers to make inventive, creative choices within the rom-com genre.
Nightmare Alley
IMDB – 7.2/10, Reviews
The film noir has become a complicated art to master. The ease that the golden generation showed has magically disappeared. Today, we see timid imitations and uninspired styles that can’t help but bind themselves to not look beyond genre trappings. Guillermo del Toro makes an exception to the above description. His newest feature, ‘Nightmare Alley,’ strikes a nostalgic chord and recreates the lost touch of this beautiful genre. The A-list cast includes Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, and William Dafoe. Not only has the film been released in a colored print, but Toro, after seeing a disappointing return, has also re-released the film in classic black and white.
Having seen both the prints, my heart is taken by the latter. ‘Nightmare Alley’ never feels like a movie from today’s times and never feels too disconnected from the present either. Toro’s strange cinematic language connects the past with the present with deft subtlety. His emphatic return to screen produces a slick murder mystery that always keeps you guessing and embroiled in its protagonist’s quest for truth and answers.
A Hero
IMDB – 7.5/10, Reviews
Asghar Farhadi’s latest film continues the great filmmaker’s work around social issues. Much like his other films, ‘A Hero’ works on a simple premise – a local in jail for failing to pay his debts becomes the talk of the neighborhood after he returns a bag full of gold coins to the rightful owner. But the ideas that it touches upon are complex ones, wrought with moral turpitude and competing notions of right and wrong. So much of ‘A Hero’ plays out as a respite for Rahim. He is the underdog and wins for many parts of the story. But, gradually, his luck turns rotten as the truth unfolds.
Farhadi’s confrontational style implores the viewer to introspect his perception of the events with its system of beliefs. Relativism, in my opinion, grows stronger with every passing second. However, the masterful craft at play makes the substance of the thought process easy, not its digestion or outcome afterward.
The Hand of God
IMDB – 7.4/10, Reviews
Another deeply personal passion project from a filmmaker this year is ‘The Hand of God.’ The events in the film are inspired by his own experiences of growing up in Naples and exploring life in a familial setup. Most aspects of the production, visual cues, and performances remind me of ‘Call Me By Your Name,’ although without the sexual identity trope. The exciting title has been derived from Diego Maradona’s famous goal at the World Cup for Argentina, where he scored with his hand. But the ride is not all that cherry.
Noticeable events that turn the complexion of Fabietto’s, the lead, life are introduced without a hint. The sudden move almost catches one off guard, without the fancifulness of drama or theatrics. Instead, the organic storytelling benefits from director Sorrentino’s trained hand and proves to be one of the most compelling movies of 2021.
Petite Maman
IMDB – 7.4/10, Reviews
Celine Sciamma has made a stellar return to the screen after her burning success with ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire.’ The French auteur contributes substantially to gender fluidity with cinema regarding the female gaze. In ‘Petite Maman,’ she uses two small children and their uninhibited instincts to socialize and converse about grief. The innovation here is the linkup between the past and the present using the small girl and the childhood version of her mother. Some of the interactions are so sincere and pure that it hardly seems fictional.
‘Petite Maman’ is one of the most emotional and ruminative movies to watch from 2021. After the premiere at various festivals, it will be one of the best movies from 2021 to stream online for digital platforms.
The Tender Bar
IMDB – 6.8/10, Reviews
“A little boy needs his father” is an adage. Frequently spoken in coming of age dramas, it does not even begin to cover how much the presence of a father figure can impact a child’s worldview. Although the core of the notion is true, the idea of having male authority define the contours of your personality is equally important as a mother’s. ‘The Tender Bar’ works on a unique formula where Charlie (Ben Affleck) looks after his sister’s son, JR, after her divorce from his father. JR experiences a divergence in how the two treat him.
His mother, Dorothy, pushes him toward structure, whereas Charlie is more relaxed and encourages him to keep an open mind. The transition from childhood to adolescence is jarring, but director George Clooney steadies the blow with subtlety and warmth. His sentimental brooding might not make ‘The Tender Bar’ as inviting to purists as its celebrated peers, but it sure makes for a pleasing experience nonetheless.
Parallel Mothers
IMDB – 7.1/10, Reviews
Some directors just keep getting better with every new project. Just when you think Pedro Almodovar has peaked, he produces a heartbreak like ‘Parallel Mothers’ and evokes one of the best performances of the year from Penelope Cruz. Like most of his films, ‘Parallel Mothers’ derives its exceptional qualities from the heart of the characters. In retrospect, Janis Martinez’s journey with Ana forms the base on which Almodovar explores the struggles of motherhood, a country’s falling ancestral lineage, and the inevitability of life. His characteristic style births two brilliant monologs that will sweep the floor from under your feet. The master’s command at his craft makes the experience one that will endure for a good part of your life.
Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn
IMDB – 6.7/10, Reviews
Can a film be both humorless and a comedy at the same time? Well, that is quite how director Radu Jude describes his film, ‘Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn.’ The catchy title certainly piques interest, but not so much as the story and Jude’s weird sense of humor after watching the movie. The narrative is not dramatic or fictional. Instead, it is a mix of both. Jude uses the opportunity to articulate his feelings on how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives.
Not only has it defined a new sort of pop culture, but it is also transforming the way the world interacts. Is this the new normal? Will this never end? Hope persists that it will. Another important subject that the director tackles is vulgarity through the lens of porn and nudity. A growing obsession among the youth, Jude’s use of the matter is never crass or hurtful. Even if it is the latter at times, it is benign in a fun way. He does not try to ingratiate the viewer or undermine his insight in showing them the change in perspective.
Films like ‘Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn’ are rare to come by. Even rarer is it catching our attention. But somehow, through sheer luck, here it is for you.
Passing
IMDB – 6.7/10, Reviews
‘Passing’ is an intelligent directorial debut from Rebecca Hall. Although primarily about race relations, the film is equally observant about human individuality. A lot goes on just beneath the surface for many characters. Whether it be Irene’s quiet jealousy, Brian’s growing resentment about the treatment of the colored folks, or Clare’s sinking feeling of not amounting to anything, Hall lets the tension brew with minimal reactions outside. The film is entirely shot in black and white, giving cinematographer Eduard Grau the perfect opportunity to play around with sinewy shadows and light.
Hall almost nullifies the skin color dynamic to make a bold statement with her creative choice. The storytelling is tender, grounded, and never feels rushed. The acting is first-rate all around, making ‘Passing’ one of the best ensembles from 2021. The 1920s setup is immersive, despite hardly being too flashy. It is more of what you do not see but feel that makes the difference in the experience. It is currently available to stream on Netflix, making it not only one of the best movies from 2021 and one of the best movies to stream from 2021.
The Lady of Heaven
IMDB – 8.3/10, Reviews
‘The Lady of Heaven’ is one of the unique films from 2021. Epic historicals are hard to come by; more complicated ones are done well. This Eli King checks both the boxes. The entire film is like a bedtime story about Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad. Not only does the film talk about the 7th century, but also how the Islamic states have transformed in the 21st. Depicting holy figures on screen is challenging, but the all-white cast further expands the challenge. Not that it matters here, because of the message the film tries to spread across audiences. The religion itself has been defamed by the actions of a few, who have taken the reins in their hands without being mindful of what the core principle of Islam is.
Drive My Car
IMDB – 7.8/10, Reviews
‘Drive My Car’ is a profoundly human film with multi-layered characters and complex feelings and thoughts. The Japanese cinema is in solid contention for taking major Academy Awards for the year and deservedly so. From the first moment, it becomes apparent that this is yet another drama with no clear plot distinction. But, at the same time, it is not delirious either. Many visual cues and actions of characters that might be shrouded in mystery at the moment only become apparent over time.
The immersive world challenges you to be participative. You have to jump in and take a leap of faith without too much context. As you do, you get lost in it, and by the time you realize the plot doesn’t have a direction, there are more questions than answers. You do not even get those answered, like many other Japanese peers. There is a hint of confusion, meddled anger, and a yearning to know.
Hamaguchi’s characters are enigmas inside and out. They exist primarily in their bubble with minimal exchanges with each other. But that never lets the narration become dull. Instead, it keeps moving dynamically, carving an epic, complex, masterfully staged, and always captivating classic. ‘Drive My Car’ is one of the most significant studies of human nature and the unassailable association with guilt, making it one of the best films of 2021.
Conclusion
This list of films should be on your watchlist. The diversity in genre makes it a perfect potpourri of cinematic magic for your viewing. This is part two of our series of the 60 best movies from 2021. Be sure to check out the other parts when they are out! Here are also other lists that might get you excited to check out: