The Best and Worst of 2023
Let's talk about the year in movies
Some people are scared to say it, but we here at Working Title: A Newsletter About Movies are not: 2023 was a good movie year. You’re hearing it more and more, especially when compared to 2020-2022, who had their moments, but were not exactly banner years. In light of the WGA and SAG strikes (hell yeah) this year and what 2024 might look like, appreciate this boon while you can.
I say that with confidence because when it was time for us to sit down and list our favorites of the year, I really had to think about what was going to make the cut. We try not to limit ourselves but even in a newsletter like this one that’s more a conversation about movies than a traditional “Top 10 of 2023” there have to be a some that don’t make it to print, no matter how much we like them. It was much harder to make those cuts this year than in years prior.
I’m also saying “us” and “we” because I am joined (as I always am when Working Title needs to look back) by the good movie opinion haver Steph Mill. The Movie Sluts™️ have never been more back.
I nodded to it above but I think it’s important to make clear (at least for me, I don’t want to speak for Steph) that this is an exercise geared more towards “favorites” rather than “best.” I honestly feel no personal responsibility towards the “best movies of the year.” I am not a movie reviewer writing for the one of the big publications or online sites of cool list makers (which is no shot to them, I look forward to reading the year end lists from those publications and sites every year and it is not something I would pretend to be too cool for if the opportunity presented itself). I’m just a guy with a newsletter that about 200 people (let’s go) read from time to time. I’d much rather have a good and fun time talking about some movies that you hopefully feel encouraged to watch and then text me about. Maybe I’ll feel differently if one of those places reaches out to me and I have to put up my work against those big time critics and writers, but for now I don’t have to and can simply have fun online with my friends. That’s certainly good enough for now.
Below you will find our Hall of Fame (good) and our Hall of Shame (you guessed it, bad) along with a couple of quick honorable mentions. Like last year, there are a few movies where Steph and I overlap but perhaps one of us liked it more than the other. Rather than list them separately in the honorable mentions and favorites sections, respectively, I will make a note as to which section that movie belongs in for each person.
Before we get started, a note. As much as The Movie Sluts™️ are horny for movies, even we cannot see everything that is being publicly lauded, be it due to location, release dates, festival access, or simply not having enough time. These are some movies that we have heard were good and could very well have made this list that we simply did not get to see.
Michael Mann’s Ferrari: We unfortunately both have still not seen this film at the time of this newsletter release, and for that we a) apologize and b) would like to offer a small sampling of possible reviews now.
Michael Mann *handshake emoji* the rise and fall of toxic masculinity
Wow Adam really Driver the Ferrari
I wish Penelope Cruz would swallow me whole like a snake
For Steph - The Boy & The Heron, American Fiction, Eileen, Fallen Leaves, and Maestro (I guess)
For Saul - The Zone of Interest, Saltburn, Maestro, Priscilla, Dream Scenario, How To Blow Up A Pipeline
Now, let’s talk about 2023 in film. It’s our longest newsletter of the year, so take your time. You can’t rush talkin’ about da movies.
2023 Hall of Fame
Film: The Iron Claw
Where You Can Watch: in theaters
This was pretty easily my favorite movie of the year. Cried a bunch. Astounding performances from this entire ensemble, particularly from Harris Dickinson, but this whole thing rests on the (extremely muscular) shoulders of Zac Efron. He is the center of this movie and you can feel the gravity around him the entire time. He’s simply undeniable and I think we gotta get him in the Oscar conversation. There is a world where this movie enters my “all-time favorites” list and that world is probably coming sooner rather than later. - Saul
Feel bad movie of the year. I’ve gone into many rabbit holes reading about this family - they actually CUT AN ENTIRE DECEASED BROTHER FROM THE MOVIE (???) to make the whole thing more believable. Zac Efron Oscar, when? - Steph
Film: Oppenheimer
Where You Can Watch: rent wherever you rent movies or you can be a real sicko like me and buy the 4K Blu-Ray with 3 hours of extra features
"Excuse me, gentlemen, if I become stirred, but I am."
There is always a movie during a given year that reaches into my chest and takes hold for the remainder of said year. This year, it was Oppenheimer. I saw this movie 3 times in theaters with 2 of those being 70mm IMAX. I found different performances speaking to me each time, but epspecially come to appreciate what Matt Damon, David Krumholtz, and RDJ are doing. Also, huge shoutout to Alden Ehrenreich, I never sold my stock in you, king.
The trinity test sequence is becoming one of my favorite movie moments of all time and that victory speech is still such a great piece of sound editing. The more time I spend with this movie, the more I like it. - Saul
During the craze of Barbenheimer, there were many theatre-goers who dressed the part for Barbie showings. But nobody was ready for the man who entered my theatre for Oppenheimer at 1:30pm on a Wednesday afternoon… wearing the Oppie hat. I honestly think about him at least once a week. Anyway, there was an hour and a half of this three hour movie that I really, really enjoyed. - Steph (Honorable Mention)
Film: Barbie
Where You Can Watch: MAX
Really insane that we’re going to see Cillian Murphy and Ryan Gosling in the same Best Actor category next year, one for being a guy who sucks, and one for being just Ken. Greta Gerwig forever and ever, Amen. - Steph
One of the most enjoyable moviegoing experiences of the year for me. I *sigh* of course did the BARBENHEIMER double feature and lead off with this one. The Matchbox 20 “Push” scene is still maybe the hardest I laughed this year in a theater. I also cringed immediately after because I love that song. Sublime. - Saul
Film: Poor Things
Where You Can Watch: in theaters
I could gush about this movie forever. Most anticipated of the year by far, and was so worth the wait. So weird, so funny, so gorgeous to look at, so many puffy sleeves! I almost always have something mildly negative to say, and I have zero notes for this one. Also, I’m sooo sorry but I still found Mark Ruffalo deeply sexy even though he seemed like the worst travel partner a woman could possibly have. - Steph
*Horniest Guy In The World Voice* haha yeah, this movie was really good.
I think this movie would actually make for a really good double feature with BARBIE. A journey of self discovery, travel through wondrous new lands, a guy who kinda sucks but is also really funny. Let me program it, cowards! Also, agreed with Steph. Mark Ruffalo in his absolute bag - Saul
Film: Killers of The Flower Moon
Where You Can Watch: rent wherever you rent, will be on Apple TV+ very soon
Deep down, I am a “90 minute movie” girly. I roll my eyes at any runtime over 140 minutes. I have a mental illness where I need to look at my phone constantly. Yet somehow, I found myself giving a 206 minute movie my full, undivided attention with only one (1) bathroom break exactly when google told me to go.* Marty S at his absolute best, with the exception of when his daughter makes a tiktok with them. - Steph
*Right when Leo gets taken into custody because they talk in circles for approx 4 minutes, you’re welcome.
America in microcosm, a vignette of the violence that shapes, molds, creates this country. America is a house that they'll blow up with you inside as long as it makes them a buck. De Niro in maybe his most sinister role. Just an absolute snake, terrifying to see him manipulate and operate within the community. The ending sequence is truly something. Appreciated it the first time, mesmerized by it each subsequent viewing. - Saul
Film: Dream Scenario
Where You Can Watch: rent wherever you rent
Had the privilege of seeing this in the presence of Nic Cage - who did a Q&A after and said this is in his top 4 favourite films he’s done. And honestly? It might be on my top 4 NC list too. Maybe my viewing experience is affecting me, but DAMN, this rocked. I said this on Letterboxd, but I gotta say it again: I am truly so, so grateful I smoke too much weed to remember my dreams. - Steph
Film: Past Lives
Where You Can Watch: rent wherever you rent. A24 also just signed a streaming deal with MAX, so I imagine it will join that library shortly.
There always has to be an absolute gut punch on a Hall of Fame list, and this one takes the cake. I knew when she told him to watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind that I was in for a real treat. This type of “maybe in another life” plot is enough to make me want to run into traffic (in a good way). - Steph
I was already loving this movie and then the last 20 minutes happened. Incredible. Probably my favorite final shot in a movie this year. What a satisfying ending. That’s how you land the plane. - Saul
Film: Spider-Man: Across The Spider-verse
Where You Can Watch: Netflix
Probably the best animated movie I've ever seen. Each scene is a painting, full of color and motion and feeling but never busy just to be busy. The different animation styles for each character are obviously rendered with love and care. Sweet, but not saccharine. Funny, but not cloying for your attention. Easter eggs that are rewarding but not necessary for enjoyment. Astoundingly contemplative at points. All featuring incredible voice performances from each character and the score whips all kinds of nuts as well. This is what a superhero movie can and should be. -Saul
Film: The Holdovers
Where You Can Watch: rent wherever you rent
I don’t know if this has “instant holiday classic” written all over it for me the way it does for some people, but I still loved it. Makes you feel nostalgic for a time and place you’ve never been a part of. Almost gave me FOMO even though you wouldn’t ever catch me sleeping in a row of creaky ass single beds with 6 other troublemakers while our drunk caretaker goes honk shoooooooo mimimimi down the hall. - Steph
I enjoyed this movie so much that I was almost suspicious of it. Just a warm glow emanating off the screen for its duration. I am glad it was available to rent because it is for sure in the “holiday classic” cannon for me. Giamatti is back baby. - Saul
Film: Priscilla
Where You Can Watch: rent wherever you rent
Literally all you need to do is give a camera to a woman, point it at a man, press Record, and I will be sat. It took literally 4 minutes of this movie to recognize the power imbalance between Priscilla and Elvis, even to my boyfriend, who is a man. And that is THAT on a woman’s touch. - Steph
Film: Blackberry
Where You Can Watch: Prime
Saw this movie early on in the year and it stuck with me since. I really, really dug it. I will be the conductor of the "give Glenn Howerton an Oscar" train.
I thought Matt Johnson was awesome (both behind and in front of the camera) and it was fun to see SungWon Cho in a movie like this. Really enjoyed the way it was shot, felt like I was peering into a world I'm normally not allowed to see. Great time all around. Extra shout out to the Alesana t-shirt. Post-hardcore representation baybee - Saul
Film: Asteroid City
Where You Can Watch: Prime
Definitely my favorite Wes film since GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL and easily my favorite location he's ever created. The Margot Robbie scene is probably my favorite singular scene this year. I might be a mark for this guy since he's been around in important ways my entire movie going life but he's still got the juice. We should cherish it. - Saul
It’s not a top 5 Wes Anderson, but it is a Wes Anderson movie, so it’s still good. - Steph (Honorable Mention)
Film: SAW X
Where You Can Watch: rent wherever you rent
These movies are so bad and I cannot get enough of them. I want a new Saw movie every year. Each grosser than the last, each with a twist in the story that requires 15 minutes of flashbacks per movie to properly explain. I’m still waiting for Saul to grant me the opportunity to talk about the best and worst Saw franchise traps in a newsletter, so until then I will keep adding these wretched little movies to my little lists. - Steph
Film: Godzilla: Minus One
Where You Can Watch: in theaters
One of the most thoughtful, delicate, and beautiful movies of the year that also features a big ass lizard looking scary and wrecking shop. A masterpiece. - Saul
Film: Bottoms
Where You Can Watch: Prime (through the MGM+ channel) or rent wherever you rent
Cannot stop thinking about the Letterboxd review that said “Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri could do Fight Club but Brad Pitt and Edward Norton couldn’t do Bottoms.” Also gasped when the blooper reel began. We are SO back. - Steph
I have muttered “you look like a little dutch boy” to myself approximately 400 times since seeing this movie. Bloopers during the credits? Steph is right, we are SO back. - Saul (Honorable Mention)
Film: Theater Camp
Where You Can Watch: Hulu
Just like I am a 90 minute movie girly, I am also a Christopher Guest girly. I am not going to say this is the 21st century version of Waiting for Guffman, but like… it’s also not… not that. SO funny, so sweet, the song at the end is catchy as all hell. I’m almost in a place to forgive Ben Platt for playing a 40 year old nepo baby high schooler in Dear Evan Hansen. Almost! - Steph
I think Jimmy Tatro and Patti Harrison have incredible chemistry in this and I think that the “Better Now” Post Malone audition scene make this movie worth it alone. - Saul (Honorable Mention)
Film: May December
Where You Can Watch: Netflix
One of those movies where I knew it would exceed my expectations and then was pleasantly surprised when it did exactly that. Felt like a camp soap opera with that piano score and the BBQ soooo chock full of hotdogs, until Charles Melton gives us this heartbreakingly reserved smile and suddenly we’re crawling out of our skin in real time. Natalie Portman’s h a u n t i n g monologue and the payoff at the end is so good, 2024’s version of the last 5 minutes of Tar. - Steph
In this movie Charles Melton goes “that was crazy” after he has sex with Natalie Portman. He just like me fr. - Saul (Honorable Mention)
Film: Beau Is Afraid
Where You Can Watch: Hulu/Prime via Showtime, but should be on MAX with that previously mentioned A24 streaming deal.
One of those movies that I absolutely couldn’t get enough of from start to finish, that I will never, ever voluntarily watch again. Anxiety inducing, horrifying, ridiculous, and a little too reminiscent of every man I’ve ever dated. - Steph
The first 45 minutes of this movie are some of the funniest of the year and the last 45 minutes are some of the most anxiety inducing of the year. Best Mariah Carey needle drop ever. Parker Posey, you will always be famous. Cannot say it’s on my must rewatch list. - Saul (Honorable Mention)
Film: Tayor Swift: The Eras Tour
Where You Can Watch: rent wherever you rent
Let me set the scene. I’m with my best friend, we’re 5 drinks deep, arriving to our 6pm showing in VIP - adults only, drinks delivered right to your seat, heaven, etc. Two songs in and it looks like all the losers around us are in fact here for a CINEMA experience, not a private concert. It’s cool, we can read the room. We’ll just re-buy tickets to a 7pm showing and drink our bottle of wine with the regular plebs of society down the hall. My friend blacked out and I threw up in the parking lot. Worth it. - Steph
I was at the tour in person where she announced 1989 (Taylor’s Version), nothing is topping that. - Saul
2023 Honorable Mentions (Rapid Fire)
Movie: John Wick 4
Where To Watch: rent wherever you rent or Starz if you got it
A Justice needle drop. Bill Skarsgård doing the worst french accent I've ever heard. Shotgun shells that cause people to burst into flames. John Wick finally getting to use nunchucks. No notes. - Saul
Movie:When Evil Lurks
Where To Watch: Shudder
The filmmaker heard kids are usually super annoying in American horror movies and he said “ok bet” - Steph
This movie is first ballot hall of fame for bad vibes. Disgusting. - Saul
Movie: Talk To Me
Where To Watch: rent wherever you rent
Had one of the scariest scenes of the year and taught me that Australian rap is sick as hell. - Saul
Movie: Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One
Where To Watch: rent wherever you rent
Turns out the real Dead Reckoning was the friends we made along the way! (You keep making these movies, I WILL watch them). - Saul
Movie: Fingernails
Where To Watch: Apple TV+
Totally unrelated but if I had to choose between Jeremy Allen White and Riz Ahmed I would probably rip all my fingernails off too. - Steph
Movie: Wonka
Where To Watch: in theaters
Do you think this gave Kylie Jenner the ick? - Steph
Movie: The Boy and The Heron
Where To Watch: in theaters
Not in my top 5 Miyazaki movies, but a beautiful, ambitious movie from an 81 year old master who’s still got it, plus a really fun voice performance from Robert Pattinson. Worth seeking out. - Saul
Movie: The Killer
Where To Watch: Netflix
Fincher doing one big riff on himself. Fassbender on X Games mode as a bumbling idiot disguised as a cool guy. Darkly funny. Hell yeah. - Saul
I legitimately forgot this came out this year until I was checking my Letterboxd account. NEXT! - Steph (Hall of Shame)
2023 Hall of Shame
Movie: No Hard Feelings
Where To Watch, Sicko: Netflix
I grew up in the 90s/early 2000s, so obviously I am HERE for a rom com, and therefore here for the rebirth of the rom com. This, however, was not it. Jennifer Lawrence has always had decently good comedic timing, but I feel like that’s her ‘I drink beer and hang with boys’ spirit. The set up is perfect and the execution is so underwhelming. I partially blame the editing, I partially blame my naivety for expecting this to really rock. - Steph
*Horniest Guy In The World From Earlier Voice* I actually thought this movie was pretty good haha. - Saul
Movie: Knock At The Cabin
Where To Watch, Sicko: Prime
Despite kinda wanting Dave Bautista to crush me to death, this is one of the most forgettable films of the year. I am an M. Night apologist but I can’t keep standing up for the guy who also put out Old before this one. It was time for a redemption story. It was time for a Malignant moment. And he gave us Crap at the Cabin. - Steph
This movie is the average church mission trip. - Saul
Movie: Cocaine Bear
Where To Watch, Sicko: Prime
I was okay with this movie when I first saw it but the more I thought about it and the further I got away from it, the madder it made me. Just a fuckin’ YouTube title of a movie come to life. A BEAR did COCIANE??? (not clickbait). Jokes that don’t land, shockingly violent in not a fun way. They made a movie title and trailer and then realized “oh shit, we gotta make this a movie.” - Saul
Movie: Reptile
Where To Watch, Sicko: Netflix
I know a lot of people watched this on Netflix, probably while half-looking at their phone, and going to the bathroom and telling the other person “don’t worry about pausing it”. I, on the other hand, saw this at TIFF and had to sit there, in silence, in the dark, and WATCH it. And let me tell you - it’s still not good. Especially in all its glory. - Steph
I cannot believe this movie is only 2 hours and 16 minutes. It felt like it was 6 hours long. I was on my phone for most of it. Justin Timberlake as an actor is over folks, let’s move on. He hit his apex in THE SOCIAL NETWORK, let’s get over it. - Saul
Movie: Rebel Moon
Where To Watch, Sicko: Netflix
Zack Snyder has done something truly astounding here. He has taken cool bits and parts from other good Sci-Fi, Western and Samurai movies, put them in a blender with 45 minutes of slow motion shots, and reassembled them into something so derivative and bad it almost feels like a bit. I saw this movie in a theater and it was screened in 35mm but even that couldn’t save it. Zack intro’d the film and talked about camera lenses for 15 minutes which was kind of cool - Saul
Movie: Napoleon
Where To Watch, Sicko: On Apple TV+ Soon
Before the film bros come for me…. the battle scenes are unreal and wildly epic. Everything else, though? I’m good! I’m totally fine without any of it. I walked out of it needing to ask if people actually disliked him or not because this wasn’t the history lesson I had signed up for. This was the Wikipedia article movie version of a dumb man’s life. I saw someone say this would probably rock if Paul Thomas Anderson directed it and I can’t get that out of my head. - Steph
Movie: Evil Dead Rise
Where To Watch, Sicko: Max
I think something’s wrong with me ~in the brain~ because I didn’t think this was fucked up enough! The 2013 remake is an all-timer and this doesn’t even come close. Could’ve been sillier, bloodier, and honestly, even could’ve done with more cheese grater. - Steph
You should just watch WHEN EVIL LURKS - Saul
Movie: Saltburn
Where To Watch, Sicko: Prime
It wasn’t like it was a disappointment, I just kinda was not fully sold on the shocking fever dream this was intended to be. Gorgeous to look at, both in cinematography and in the facial structures of Rosamund, Jacob and Barry. However. Is there anything worse than when a director assumes the audience is dumb as rocks? (Editor Note: the Saw franchise is excluded from this argument, because I *live* for the flashbacks) Literally the minute The Bathtub Scene™ happened, it’s adamantly clear the guy is a little freak, no flashbacks required! And on that note, was the bathtub scene REALLY that bad? Don’t answer that. - Steph
There you have it. 2023 in film. 2023 Movies wrapped, if you will. Thank you for taking the time to read our year in review, and thank you to anyone who has read, liked, subscribed, shared, or otherwise engaged with anything we have written this year at Working Title. It truly means the world.
Here’s to 2024 and the movies it will bring. We’ll see you soon.
You can find Saul on Letterboxd here.
You can find Steph on Letterboxd here.
My time is really limited, lately, so I haven't seen Iron Claw, but it's one of those movies I sew is in theaters and I'm intrigued... Cocaine Bear needs more love!