You read the title correctly, I watched all ten movies nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars in 2023. If I have one defining thought from this experience, it’s that despite what the critics might say, cinema is not dead. Every single film on this list had at least one spectacular quality and was made with passion by talented teams of producers, writers, and actors. People who say that all movies these days are remakes or reboots don’t watch enough movies!
That said, some on this list certainly shined brighter than others. I have devised a ranking system to score them with five metrics: acting, sound, cinematography, writing, and story. Each metric gets graded on a scale of 1 to 5, and I’ll average them to form a composite score. Art is inherently subjective, so keep in mind the only thing I can provide here is my own opinion.
Maestro
“A work of art does not answer questions; it provokes them; and its essential meaning is in the tension between the contradictory answers.” -Leonard Bernstein
Starring and directed by Bradley Cooper, Maestro follows the story of the famous American conductor Leonard Bernstein, focusing on his personal life and relationship with his family. With Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg as producers alongside Carey Mulligan and Maya Hawke as actresses, the movie had a talented team behind it, and you can certainly tell with the finished product.
Maestro embraces the complexities of Leonard’s life, refusing to shy away from his faults while also shining a light on his accomplishments. From portraying his struggles with adultery and substance abuse to his talent for music and love for people from all walks of life, Maestro bares it all with honesty. The movie was exactly how Leonard described good works of art, it presented the audience with both realities and allowed them the space to draw conclusions on their own.
Playful perspectives and unconventional angles added a dash of surrealism and magic to the movie. Older sections of his life were shot in black and white, while more recent years were in vibrant color. The use of light and shadow were brilliant in this film, as shining beams of light often guided the viewer’s focus in one direction or another.
The dialogue felt incredibly fresh and natural, and I can honestly say there were great performances given by every actor in this movie. Critics of the film see this highly stylized biopic as too Oscar baity or inauthentic, but to me, it was anything but. I found it to be incredibly human, and I don’t think the visual aesthetic of a movie negates that, but rather enhances it. Despite not knowing a lot about Leonard Bernstein, Bradley Cooper brought him to life in a way that felt real.
Acting= 5/5 sound= 4/5 cinematography= 5/5 writing= 4/5 story=3/5
Score: 4.2
Barbie
“Humans only have one ending. Ideas live forever.” –Barbie
With its stunning pink perfection, the eye-catching visuals of Barbie captivated audiences from the first trailer. But it was the wholehearted performances of Margot Robbie, America Ferrara, and Ryan Gosling, as well as Greta Gerwig’s direction that cemented this movie into pop culture. Beyond the fun, Barbie is a meaningful look into the trials women face every day in our society. As she leaves the utopia of Barbieland, Barbie has to face the real world: misogynistic corporate America. Along the way, she discovers herself and the beauty to be found in her flaws.
Barbie proves that good quality doesn’t have to come in a depressing package. It is both hilarious and heartfelt, and the two sentiments coexist beautifully. Not to mention the soundtrack is impeccable, from Dua Lipa’s upbeat disco track “Dance the Night” to the soulful melody of “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish. I was throughly entertained by this movie from start to finish, which is a rarity amongst some of these films in all honesty. And yes, Jo Koy, it is about more than a plastic doll with big boobies.
Acting= 4/5 sound= 4/5 cinematography= 4/5 writing= 5/5 story=4/5
Score: 4.2
Oppenheimer
“Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” -J. Robert Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer is good quality in a depressing package. Directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer tells the story of the physicist who designed the atomic bomb in 1945. With fast-paced, fluid storytelling that weaves through time, Oppenheimer breaks tropes typical of biopics. The more mundane moments are punctuated by gorgeous visual effects, all of which were done practically, an impressive feat for sure. These shots are often in vibrant color, a stark contrast from much of the movie which is shot in black and white.
I think what really sets this movie apart is its excellent sound design. Oppenheimer pairs piercing noise with deafening silence to stop the viewer in their tracks. It forces you to consider what you just saw and confront the thoughts you’ve been pushing back for the sake of paying attention. Techniques like these take a good movie and turn it into a great one, and Oppenheimer was certainly one of the most memorable films of 2023.
Acting= 3/5 sound= 5/5 cinematography= 5/5 writing= 4/5 story=3/5
Score: 4
The zone of interest
“So those are some of the things that will definitely add to the struggle. But the life we enjoy is very much worth the sacrifice.” – The Zone of Interest
The Zone of Interest is a slow burn. It tells the story of a German family living on the outskirts of the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. The patriarch of the family works as a Nazi commandant and is likewise responsible for countless atrocities and murders. Despite the chilling premise, the entirety of the movie takes place within their elegant home, and the majority of their worries consist of what to eat for dinner or wear to a party. You know that unimaginable horrors are taking place nearby, but they are just out of reach. The only thing tethering the audience to the truth is the occasional sound of distant screams.
This setting adds a foreboding tone to the entire movie. While most of the action was frankly boring, the constant unease was agonizing. I have to commend the sound design for accomplishing this because without the intermittent screams, you could easily forget what is really going on. The level of apathy the main characters possess was unnerving, to say the least. The cinematography was also incredibly beautiful, with many shots looking as if they were painted. The lush countryside and glamorous home of the family felt surreal and dreamlike.
If anything, much of the movie was so serene it became boring. I found it hard to finish, especially when the biggest “conflicts” were so inconsequential. I won’t go into details so as not to spoil it, but I think the last 10 minutes of film really saved it for me. It went from being tedious to incredibly poignant in only a few scenes, and it left me in tears. It is a testament to good filmmaking that something seemingly so mundane and emotionless could evoke such a primal feeling of disgust and sadness. The last 10 minutes made it all feel so worth it, so I recommend watching those if you can’t get through anything else.
Acting= 2/5 sound= 5/5 cinematography= 5/5 writing= 2/5 story=3/5
Score: 3.4
Poor things
“They pushed the boundaries of what was known, and they paid the price. But that is the only way to live, Bella.” – Poor Things
Poor Things, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, and William Dafoe, is not for the faint of heart. Set in an alternate universe reminiscent of the past, the movie centers around a grown woman with the mind of an infant. She was experimented on by a mad scientist who frequently performs questionable surgeries on the animals and people around him. The movie is a wild ride from start to finish, with every scene only getting weirder and weirder.
With amber-colored skies and pig-headed chickens, this movie carries a level of whimsy previously deemed impossible. It is truly one of the most visually stunning films I’ve ever seen, it feels like transcending to an alternate dimension where the saturation is turned up by several degrees. I was also obsessed with the costume design, not only were the outfits chic but it felt like they carried purpose.
Despite Emma Stone’s incredible performance, I couldn’t help but feel like the main character, Bella Baxtor, was demeaning to women. The only female character worth mentioning was not only an infantilized idiot, but she was an incredibly sexualized idiot. Poor Things was obsessed with sex in a way that undermined the few good points it made about women in society. The movie insisted that a woman’s worth is more than her sex appeal, yet so much of Bella’s journey to self-discovery revolved around it. I believe there is a better movie buried beneath the one we got, one where Bella finds meaning in life independent of the desires of the men around her. As is, the movie was a beautiful disaster, one that had me clutching my pearls but unable to look away from.
Acting= 3/5 sound= 2/5 cinematography= 5/5 writing= 3/5 story=1/5
Score: 2.8
the holdovers
“There’s nothing new in human experience, Mr. Tully. Each generation thinks it invented debauchery or suffering or rebellion, but man’s every impulse and appetite from the disgusting to the sublime is on display right here all around you. So, before you dismiss something as boring or irrelevant, remember, if you truly want to understand the present or yourself, you must begin in the past.” – The Holdovers
The Holdovers had a certain human element to it that made it stick out. Directed by Alexander Payne and starring Paul Giamatti and Dominic Sessa, The Holdovers takes place in a boys boarding school where many of the students are rich and entitled. Despite its overt 70’s aesthetic, for me, the movie was reminiscent of 90’s classics like Dead Poets Society. It centers around a grumpy history teacher when he is forced to supervise his quirky student over winter break. After overcoming their initial quarrels, they reach a place of mutual understanding. The result is incredibly sweet and familial, and its truly a film that puts a positive spin on life.
The Holdovers is very well-written, and I’m pleased to announce its witty dialogue comes across as endearing rather than pretentious. Out of all the movies on this list, this was the easiest and most enjoyable watch for me. It was funny, it was tender, and it was meaningful. Its strength was in its simplicity, and I hope that more filmmakers focus on making stories that touch hearts rather than shock with spectacle.
Acting= 4/5 sound= 3/5 cinematography= 3/5 writing= 5/5 story=5/5
Score: 4
Killers of the Flower Moon
“Well, you let her have her secrets. That way, you have yours.” -Killers of the Flower Moon
Set in Oklahoma in the 1920s, Killers of the Flower Moon investigates the strange murders of several Osage people. Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone give impressive performances that breathe life into the movie, which is an adaption of a novel by David Grann. The story itself was captivating, and it was told in a way that built intrigue as it progressed. There are interesting filming techniques throughout, and I found it to be very visually appealing as well.
I think the movie’s main drawback was its gargantuan length. With a runtime of three hours and twenty-six minutes, I can safely say I was not entertained the entire time. And I understand that cinema’s responsibility isn’t to solely entertain, but truthfully, yes I was bored. There were moments of beauty, moments that really made me think, but all of it got drowned out in white noise. A good storyteller prunes their story, and prunes frequently. Much like I need to prune this article.
Acting= 5/5 sound= 3/5 cinematography= 3/5 writing= 2/5 story=3/5
Score: 3.2
Anatomy of a fall
“Do you think one can only write from experience?”- Anatomy of a Fall
Anatomy of a Fall is a story about a man’s mysterious death and the subsequent trial of his wife, Sandra, played by Sandra Hüller. The movie is left intentionally ambiguous with many questions unanswered by the end of the film. Though advertised as a thriller, I found little to be thrilling about it. The premise was very intriguing to me, but I didn’t feel like the final product delivered on it. The entire film remained low energy even in the most pivotal of scenes. It was difficult for me to relate to the characters or care for the outcome of the story.
To the film’s credit, it raised many interesting questions about the French judicial system and the concept of justice as a whole. When it comes to convicting a criminal, one only has traces and footprints to follow. How can we ever really say someone is guilty if we didn’t see them commit a crime ourselves. Life is inherently complicated and messy and just because all the signs point to a guilty verdict it doesn’t mean they really are.
Given that the two main characters of the movie were writers, there were also interesting debates about whether the mental condition, thoughts, and opinions of a writer can be reflected in their work. Warnings for a slight spoiler, but during the course of the trial, the prosecutor attempts to use Sandra’s books against her in court. By definition, fictional books are fake, but they are fiction constructed from the mind of a real person. So how much of that can we credit to the real author’s mind and feelings? While the problems with using an author’s work against them in court are glaringly obvious, it’s a thought-provoking concept nonetheless. For me, that was the most redeeming quality of an otherwise subpar movie.
Acting= 3/5 sound= 2/5 cinematography= 2/5 writing= 3/5 story=3/5
Score: 2.6
past lives
“You dream in a language I can’t understand. It’s like there’s like this whole place inside of you that I can’t go.” – Past Lives
Past Lives is a love story wrapped in a tragedy. Directed by Celine Song and starring Greta Lee and Teo Yoo, the film follows the lives of childhood lovers who are worlds apart. While one immigrates to New York to fulfill her dream of being a writer, the other stays in South Korea where they grew up. Despite the intensity of their feelings for each other, their circumstances pull them away.
Ambient sounds and soft, hazy visuals carry the movie with a rare gentleness that is so welcome. The dialogue and acting is subtle and natural in a way that feels real. The cinematography was absolutely gorgeous, and the use of framing was pure perfection. Scenes used shadow and space to communicate movement with the audience. Past Lives is not afraid to let uncomfortable moments linger so that the viewer can feel the distance between these two people.
I have nothing but glowing praise for this movie. It was my favorite among the list, and my personal pick to win Best Picture. Past Lives‘ message is one that everyone can relate to. The push and pull between two different worlds: the comfort of your childhood and the promise of your future. And then, the resulting grief when loved ones from your past can’t fit into that future.
Acting= 4/5 sound= 4/5 cinematography= 5/5 writing= 4/5 story=5/5
Score: 4.5
American fiction
“One day maybe you’ll learn that not being able to relate to other people isn’t a badge of honor.” – American Fiction
American Fiction follows the frustrations of a writer named Monk, played by Jeffrey Wright, with being pigeonholed into writing about his identity as a black man. When publishers expect him to write a “black book,” aka a book strictly about black experiences in the US, he resists the idea that his personal experiences align with those expected of such a book. Fueled by spite, he pens a novel filled with the same reductive stereotypes that initially bothered him. To his shock and dismay, the book becomes a massive commercial success, and now he must scramble to deal with the consequences.
I found much of the dialogue in this movie to be very clever and funny, and several moments throughout had me cracking up. Wrapped up in the humor are a few really important conversations about the main character’s struggles with his racial identity, and I loved those moments where the audience could dive into the heart of the movie. I will say that I feel like this film was a little tonally dissonant. There were a few dramatic twists and turns throughout, but I never felt like the movie allowed the proper time to process these moments. This movie was definitely very original in both its subject matter and structure, and I always appreciate when filmmakers try something different.