2023 has finally wrapped. Meaning, it’s that time of the year again. I’m here to sift out all the waste that we’ve gotten this year. This has not been a great year for cinema as I have more candidates for worst films than best. A few things to remember before we begin, I have not seen every movie that came out this year. No one can. So, this list would be the worst from the movies that I’ve seen. Also, no one willingly walks into a bad film. I consciously avoided them, some of the films because I was like, that looks like torture. Why would I willing submit myself to it? Therefore, most of these movies are biggest disappointments of the year which lay waste to the expectations of the viewers. These would not be reviews, I’ll simply talk briefly about the film and move on, so if you want an in-depth analysis or full review they’re available on the website.
To wrap up, this is my list which you may not necessarily agree with, you might even find some movies that you consider good and that’s okay because we all will have a different list. So, without wasting anymore time let’s expose ourselves to the most disappointing movies 2023 had to offer.
13) Cobweb
If not for the final two minutes of the film, then Cobweb was probably the second best horror film of the year. I loved the camera work, the sound design, the acting, and the meticulous screenplay that does such a phenomenal job to creep you out. While watching the film you don’t know whom to trust. For the most part you have no clue what is going on, but you are never lost. Unfortunately, all of this amazing stuff is wasted by the choppiest ending I’ve seen all year long. Why did they have to end the film like that? No clue. I loved the film, but not the final two minutes. Breaks my heart to put it in this list.
12) The Pope’s Exorcist
You know if the film’s screenplay was a little better then I would’ve skipped this film because I enjoyed the lore explored in the film. It is by no means a great horror film. However, the film was sort of an archeological drama with horror elements. Only if they would’ve presented it in that manner. However, the makers decided to make a generic horror film and then stuff all the lore in the middle. If presented in a slightly more coherent manner then the film would’ve been a fun outing. Russel Crowe tries his best to save the film but there is only so much he can do. However, I still stand by that this is fun, guilty pleasure film and I would want to watch a sequel.
11) 65
I actually don’t remember enough of this film to write anything about it. What can be worse than this for a film? This film is probably the most forgettable film of the year. I was in awe of the premise as it was so unique however, the film that we got was as generic as they can make. The film is simply boring and lackluster on all fronts. It was a major disappointment. 65 wastes Adam Driver’s potential and I feel sorry for him to star in such an abomination. Read the full review here.
10) Knock at the Cabin
Knock at the Cabin is a film which tries to be different but just turns out to be worse than a normal home invasion thriller. It is bland, ambitionless and lackluster. I don’t quite understand what Shyamalan wanted the audience to feel with this film. Because he shies aways from showing violence, there are no extraordinary plot twists, what was the agenda with this film? The only positive is Dave Bautista’s strong and understated performance. With Old and now this, I think it is safe to assume that Mr. Shyamalan has lost his touch. Check out the full review here.
9) The Flash
The Flash might’ve entertained you but it didn’t appease me. It was overhyped and the worst part is, I kept wondering who really killed Barry’s mom? They never answer that. I know Reverse Flash does but he is not in the film, so who killed Barry’s mother in the film? It was not his father so who? Someone please answer this. The CGI was terrible, there was nothing engaging in the film. Despite having a director like Andy Muschietti, The Flash is an underwhelming outing. It feels like a trailer for what Muschietti could do with Batman if given a chance. Full review here.
8) Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
This film had no reason to be bad. Directed by James Mangold, starring Harrison Ford, Mads Mikkelsen, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, a farewell to a fan favorite character. See? This should’ve been amazing. However, ridiculous action, poor screenwriting, no character growth and dumb resolutions, make this one of the worst this film has to offer. A cheap attempt at recreating whatever nostalgia people have attached to Indiana Jones. Only saving graces are its production design, cinematography, and a bit of humor. Even Mads Mikkelsen couldn’t save this film as his character itself was one of the worst written ones…
7) The Nun II
I don’t think this is a surprise. The Nun II is for the most part better than the first one but has similar problems in its screenplay because there is no story at all. There are too many characters in the film and a jumpscare assigned to each one of them. Valak is once again degraded for the audience as a glorified prankster. In the entire runtime of 2 hours the entire theatre was chuckling in intense sequences, that tells you how the film is being received. The most powerful demon of The Conjuring universe has been made into a joke. Someone should really read the climaxes of these films before they’re shot. I mean how is this approved? Read the full review here.
6) The Exorcist: Believer
If you take all the trash that you find in every horror film and make a film based on that, then you’ll find The Exorcist: Believer. This is by far the stupidest horror film of the year. The Nun II is masterpiece in comparison. Trust me, this film offers nothing for you to latch on. The first hour is engaging as it feels like a slow burn build up to something big. However, nothing big ever happens. I wrote a review on The Exorcist where I said that the film doesn’t feel like it is escalating due to the lack of music. Well, here we had every modern trick in the book and yet it was worse than a film made fifty years ago. The David Gordon Green directorial will just leave you confused and unsatisfied. One of the worst screenplays of the year.
5) John Wick: Chapter Four
This was one of the films that I wanted to love, unfortunately, it was one of the worst theatrical experiences of my life. Never have I ever wished to walk out of a movie more in my life. Don’t get me wrong, I love action films. However, this extravagant actioner was a colossal misfire. Three hours of nothing. Laser thin plot. I would’ve been fine with it but the action sequences too were derivative and went on for too long. I have no clue why people are going crazy for this film. Honestly, this is the worst addition to the franchise. There is nothing redeeming of John Wick: Chapter Four. We’ve seen everything we have to in the first three films. Full review here.
4)The Killer
Never in a million years would I have imagined a David Fincher film to feature in my worst films of the year list. Well, I guess stranger things have happened. I don’t know what went wrong here. Fincher’s last outing was Mank and I pegged the film was not meant for me because it was telling a period story about a time that I’m not familiar with. However, The Killer had all the reasons to be amazing, but it wasn’t. The main problem with the film was the lack of an interesting story and an engaging screenplay. Except for the fight sequence in the middle, there was no other moment from the film that I remember. In simple words, the film was boring. I don’t know why Fincher pegged it worthy to make a film out of it.
3) Talk to Me
Talk to Me is a drama story wrapped in a horror setting. Generally, that would’ve made a good combination but this time the marriage didn’t work out. If you’re willing to watch a slow horror film with no outstanding climax then watch Talk to Me. If you’re a cinephile then do check it out in order to support new horror minds. A normal person won’t enjoy this. Much to my disappointment, Talk to Me is a mediocre film and really disappointing. It is not the scariest film of the year. I have no clue why it was hyped so much. I didn’t even find the concept interesting. I’m happy for Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou, as this is a huge achievement for them since they started their journey from YouTube. Check out the full review here.
2) Beau is Afraid
I have many problems with Beau is Afraid but fundamentally what annoyed me was the lack of story. Aster is famously known to have a strong story in his films, however, this film looks like just an extended nightmare of Beau. There is no structure to the madness in the film. You can never understand what the story is about. I mean thematically sure but plot wise there is nothing. From the start of the film it is very clear that Beau is Afraid is about guilt but there is nothing beyond this. The film seems like an egotistical filmmaker exploiting his position in the industry to make “art”.
While I appreciate artistic filmmaking which is free of the commercial confines, I don’t like when filmmakers sell anything in the name of art. Beau is Afraid is Ari Aster’s worst film and I seriously don’t hope that the filmmaker carries on with this direction for the rest of his career. Check the full review here.
1) Barbie
Yes, the highest grossing movie of the year is my pick for the worst film of the year. No need to get political. I’m not calling Barbie worst because it is “anti-men” but because the film is a 2 hour long lecture on feminism. I don’t mind films with a strong female protagonist but this film isn’t showing anything rather just shoving its theme down our throat. I’m a huge admirer of Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach’s previous works but they have failed their legacy through this film. I don’t know what happened to their subtlety. When did their filmmaking became so loud and lazy. If anyone else would’ve made Barbie I wouldn’t be so disappointed but I didn’t expect such a mess from Gerwig, who I believed to be one of the few strong female voices from the west. I also want to point out the hypocrisy of western critics who are praising the film solely for its politics. Click here for full review.
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