In a clear reflection of my own shifting priorities, duties, and, admittedly, a lack of enthusiasm in the writing of film critique (feeling less and less relevant and more like a raisin in a giant fruit salad), this year’s selection of my favourite films has almost no corresponding reviews [shakes head in self-disappointment].

The lack of published reviews in no way reflects a lack of interest in movies and filmmaking, far from it. But maintaining content on this site (and my prior blog) is a labour of love, and has been for twenty years, and this year marked the tenth anniversary since the launch of Cult Projections, and thirty years since I started writing published film reviews.

My enjoyment of sharing my years’ favourite films dates back some thirty years. My desire to continue the listmaking is evident. Hopefully I will find the enthusiasm to write more full reviews (and not just the occasional capsule) in the new year, but I’m not counting my chooks. Apologies for the glum attitude, but I’ve had better year’s endings.

As has been the case for some years now, my twenty favourites are compiled from films I saw on general release in the cinema, in international festivals, and films I saw on their 2023 release on streaming platforms. Of course, as per usual, several films I had intended to see slipped through the net, c’est la vie.

I’ve included a bunch of additional close contenders, and a few special mentions too.

Late night with the devil

THE COFFEE TABLE

BIRDEATER

WHEN EVIL LURKS

THE MOOR

EVIL DEAD RISE

NIGHTSIREN

TALK TO ME

VENUS

SOFT & QUIET

DID I?

WHAT YOU WISH FOR

MOTHER SUPERIOR

INFINITY POOL

BIRTH/REBIRTH

GODZILLA MINUS ONE

THE KILLER

CAT PERSON

RED ROOMS

TÁR

Other close contenders: Saltburn, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Sisu, Aftersun, Violett, The Devil’s Work, Caligula: The Ultimate Cut

Special mentions: Black Mirror (season 6), Beef (mini-series), The Fall of the House of Usher (mini-series)