As 2018 comes to an end, it’s time to look back at the year in film and highlight those must watch movies. I’m pretty pleased with myself. As of writing this piece, I’ve seen 99 movies released in 2018. That’s a best of number for me. I typically end the year between 60–70, but 2018 was about re-exploring the medium that I love.
2016 was a hard year, and for a number of reasons, I decided to stop watching movies for roughly 6–8 months, with just a handful of exceptions. In 2017, I started to root around, but this year was a full on deep dive. I went old, I went international and I went new release. I’ve averaged at least a movie a day, and it’s been great.
As I’ve gone through this year, I’ve been able to catch up with a number of movies I might not normally get to. And, I’ve found some must watch movies that you might have missed or overlooked. So, I decided to take a few minutes and present a few of my favorites that I think need to be seen. I doubt any of these will garner any sort of award nominations. One or two might make it on a best of list, including my own, but overall, these titles slipped under the radar. But if you have the time, and are looking to expand your film experience, here are 5 must watch movies from 2018.
5 Must Watch Movies You Probably Missed
Thoroughbreds
A movie billed as American Psycho meets Heathers really connects for me. While the advertised comparison undersells what Thoroughbreds brings to the table, its a good starting point for describing the movie. Examining a posh world of wealthy high schoolers, Thoroughbreds makes a point to satirize the excess and absurdity by which these people live day to day. That’s not to downplay any mental struggle, but the conceit of the film is that Anya Taylor-Joy’s Lily’s biggest problem in life is her step-father being strict and expecting her to be a decent, hard-working individual. It’s a great bit within the narrative. Couple the biting humor with a wildly scored, expertly shot piece from first-time film director Cory Finley and you’ve got one of the most interesting stories of the year.
Assassination Nation
Another film dealing with the struggles of high school students, Assassination Nation works a bit better. It’s brazen, fierce and not fooling around. Sam Levinson’s sophomore effort doesn’t pull it’s punches. It is excessive, abrasive and off putting. The story looks at a quartet of girls who become the target of the town’s ire after massive amounts of private data wind up on the internet. It barrels full bore into topics of transphobia, toxic masculinity, sexual assault and more after opening with a Trigger Warning montage depicting exactly what’s about to unfold. Though the film loses a bit of its sting in the hands of a male director, the film still has a lot to say—loudly, sloppily and entertainingly.
Hearts Beat Loud
A major tonal shift from my first two entries, Hearts Beat Loud is a must-watch movie that everyone will enjoy. It’s an endearing look at the strained relationship of a father on the brink of unemployment and a daughter about to move across the country for school. Nick Offerman stars as Frank. He runs a small record shop in New York. Sam (Kiersey Clemons) shares a bond with her father—music. Hearts Beat Loud is a smile-inducing charmer that takes a different angle on the coming of age film. Sam is already about to head off to college, marking her transition to adulthood. But, the film lets her grow in new ways within her family and her relationships. Backed by a wonderful soundtrack, Hearts Beat Loud is a heart-warming affair that will stick with you.
Revenge
One of the most exciting films of the year is this foreign revenge-thriller from director Coralie Fargeat. A modern take on the rape-revenge exploitation sub-genre, Revenge presents a subversive series of events. Jen (Matilda Lutz) is only a victim for a short time, after being assaulted and left for dead, Jen makes a comeback with a vengeance. Zigging when you expect it to zag, Revenge gives us a powerful heroine we can cheer for as she takes down the bad guys. The film culminates in a climactic darkly-comic bloodbath that revels in its interplay between cat and mouse. Revenge is currently available to stream on Shudder.
Blindspotting
Part buddy comedy and part urban drama, Blindspotting is a powerful look at two friends in Oakland. I want to quickly say that Oakland has become a powerful muse for filmmakers in recent years, including Ryan Coogler and Boots Riley. Led by Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal, Blindspotting follows Diggs’ Collin as he tries to finish up a year-long parole sentence. In his final days on parole, Collin must engage with his relationship with his best friend Miles (Casal). The film takes a hard look at race, class and politics in 2018 and presents an emotional journey hardly rivaled through the year. Upstaged by both Sorry to Bother You and BlackKklansman, Blindspotting is a truly unsung must-watch movie of 2018.
Stay in Touch
Thanks for reading my look back at 2018’s must-watch movies.
Let me know what you thought about the year in film, did I get any of my picks wrong? What would you add to the list?
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Arthur is a creator of content, lover of movies, and father of dogs. If you want to keep the conversation going, then click here to follow Arthur on Twitter. If you would like to keep up with what Arthur is watching, then head over to Letterboxd and give him a follow!
