Veronica Lee's Top 10 Films of 2022

Transforming expectations in a less than stellar year for cinema

by Veronica LeeSunday, 18 December 2022

'Matilda the Musical': Emma Thompson and Alisha WeirNetflix

In what feels like a less than stellar year for cinema, some films stand out. In some instances it was because I stepped a little outside my normal fare of blockbusters or star-driven vehicles and saw some films I might have thought a little too arthouse for my tastes. I'm very glad I did because otherwise I might not have seen a couple on this list.

I chose as number one a film version of a stage musical that I loved; I'm often not a fan of transformations (in either direction) as I think they can be lazy or reductive. But not Matthew Warchus's Matilda the Musical, a joyous reincarnation of Roald Dahl's story given verve by Tim Minchin's songs and Emma Thompson having a whale of a time.

1. Matilda the Musical

2. The Banshees of Inisherin

3. Living

4. Top Gun: Maverick

5. Aftersun

6. Parallel Mothers

7. The Woman King

8. Boiling Point

9. Downton Abbey: A New Era

10. Triangle of Sadness

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'Matilda the Musical' is a joyous reincarnation of Roald Dahl's story

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