Movies through 2023
Firstly, I know it's July 2024, and I'm terribly late with my list of 2023 movies. But it's not like you all were waiting for this list :p.
So now that it's here, read on :)
2023 was a great year for movies (2024 is already better, I cannot wait to write my 2024 list, hehe). The Malayalam film industry has taken the mantle up once again, but I have to say that Hindi films were pretty good too, if not better.
So, in no particular order, here are my favorite movies from 2023.
1. Romancham
For someone who does not like watching horror movies because they're very boring (and not because I'm a coward in real life okay?), and also because I have not seen a lot of good horror comedies (Stree, 2018 is an exception), Romancham came as a pleasant surprise and what I would call a brilliantly set-up horror comedy.
It's intriguing, quirky and a fun watch.
Watch it on Hotstar
2. Jaane Jaan
Kareena Kapoor in an OTT movie is what I wanted for the longest time, and she finally marked her presence on OTT with Jaane Jaan. Directed by Sujoy Ghosh and adapted from the 2005 Japanese novel The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino, Jaane Jaan has been one of my favorite Hindi movies from last year. Starring Kareena Kapoor, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Vijay Verma, the movie is set in Kalimpong, Darjeeling and revolves around Kareena Kapoor, who is involved in the murder of her ex-husband. Jaideep Ahlawat plays a math teacher at the school nearby who is also Kareena's neighbor, and Vijay Verma, comes in connection with another case to Kalimpong but is soon drawn into this murder investigation.
The lives of these three people get intertwined and it soon turns into a cat and mouse chase with a lot of intense and brilliant acting by everyone. This is not to be missed.
Watch it on Netflix
3. Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai
Sirf Ek Bandaa Kafi Hai is a movie I had no idea even existed. My friend watched this on OTT and suggested it to me to watch it. He said I'd love it, and he wasn't wrong.
The plot is based on the trial of Asaram for the rape of a minor. Manoj Bajpayee plays the character of PC Solanki who was the lawyer for the victim(s) in the Asaram case. An intense courtroom drama inspired by the actual events of a five-year-long standalone fight of this regular session court Adv. PC Solanki, it traces the journey of the lawyer to stand for the truth, his struggle to bring justice to the minor and is sure to hook you till the last scene.
Watch it on ZEE5
4. Kannur Squad
There is no stopping Mammootty (even in his 70s) as he comes back yet again, with impactful, action-loaded movies. Kannur Squad being the latest entrant. Directed by Roby Varghese Raj, Kannur Squad is a crime thriller film that leaves a lasting impression on the audience.
Based on a true story, this movie follows a team of police officers who were part of a Squad (no points for guessing the name)- The Kannur Squad, a crime investigation unit, formed by former Kannur SP S. Sreejith IPS in the late 90s and their heroic attempt to catch a culprit as they leave no stones (and states) unturned to find the killer. The cinematography captures the essence of the plot by creating a visually stunning backdrop for the narrative as the squad travel to various places. The storytelling is precise and is guided by a keen directorial eye which navigates the complexities of the plot with exceptional clarity.
Watch it on Hotstar
5. Rocky aur Rani kii Prem Kahaani
Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (RARKPK) was the Bollywood movie that everyone needed after the pandemic snooze. Bringing back the OG 2000s Karan Johar style of movies, with absolutely larger-than-life sets, costumes, dancing with chiffon sarees, family-first values and typical stereotypes, RARKPK does not disappoint (if you like KJo movies). But even in this larger-than-life, grand affair KJo movie, apart from all the dance and music, there are a lot of things that one sees and can learn. You can see the west-Delhi, flamboyant, loud Punjabi Rocky played by Ranveer Singh and intellectual, lover of arts, Bengali journalist Rani played by Alia Bhatt fall in love despite being different (Yes, opposites attract is the trope).
I liked the film a lot. It was very entertaining and I'd watch it a second time too just to hear Ranveer Singh say, "Handle with care yaar. I'm a fragile" cause Ranveer, same :)
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video
6. Irrata
Irrata (meaning Twins in Malayalam) is a crime-thriller movie directed by Rohit M.G. Krishnan, and stars Joju George, who plays a double role.
The film seems like a normal police drama except that it had a disturbing twist. It revolves around the death of a policeman during his duty hours in Vagamon police station and the investigation that follows by his estranged twin brother. It draws you in very slowly, and you might just leave with an unspeakable pain after watching it.
Watch it on Netflix
7. Antony
I watched Antony one day without any prior knowledge of the existence of this film. I had not seen the trailer for this movie. I was simply surfing through Amazon Prime wanting to watch something to refresh when I came across Antony. I had no expectations from this movie, but I actually enjoyed it a lot.
A family drama that revolves around a local goon and the daughter of one guy he kills, this will keep you hooked with all the drama, action, and some great fighting scenes from Joju and Kalyani Priyadarshan.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video
8. Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum
I'm so glad Pachuvum Athbhutha Vilakum got made because I needed to see Fahadh in a happy feel-good movie (For real, Kumbalangi Nights, Trance, Joji, Malik were a bit dark for me :p).
Directed by Akhil Satyan, the son of Sathyan Anthikad (known for his happy emotional-tearjerker movies) has come out with his debut film, a slice-of-life movie. The story tells us about Pachu (Fahadh), the owner of an Ayurveda pharmacy store in Bombay, who goes to his hometown in Kerala. Upon coming back from Kerala, he is asked by the landlord (Riyas) of his office building to accompany his mother to Mumbai from Kerala via train.
During the night, Riyas' mother disembarks at Karmali station at Goa. Does Pachu find out where the mother went? Does he get her back safely to Bombay? Why does the mother leave the train and what is happening in Karmali? All these questions and Pachu's Bombay life, his Kerala life, his Goa life, and all the people he meets in between form the rest of the story. I guarantee you that a constant smile is going to be on your face throughout this film.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video
9. Are you there God? It's me Margaret
Eleven-year-old Margaret moves to a new town and starts to contemplate everything about life, friendship, and adolescence. She relies on her mother, Barbara, who offers loving support, and her grandmother, Sylvia, who is coming to terms with finding happiness in the next phase of her life.
Questions of identity, one's place in the world, and what brings meaning to life soon brings them closer together than ever before.
Watch it on Netflix
10. Kho Gaye Hum Kahan
Kho Gaye Hum Kahan is Arjun Varain Singh's directorial debut. It is a coming-of-age drama that follows the lives of three best friends: Imaad Ali played by Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ahana Singh played by Anaya Panday, Neil Pereira played by Adarsh Gourav.
The film seems relatable for a lot of 20-year-olds like me and even older. The friendships that we need, the culture of shallow relationships that we see all around us, how we are a generation still trying to figure ourselves out with life, relationships, family, the issues that we have, and how we are always trying to live a life that looks cool enough to post on social media are shown in a way that makes it relatable for all of us The acting was refreshing, the songs were engaging as well and it's a fun movie to watch with your friends.
Watch it on Netlix
11. Past Lives
Celine Song's Feature directorial debut revolves around two childhood friends-Na Young (Nora Moon) and Hae Sung in Seoul. They lose contact soon after Na young emigrates to Toronto with her family. Several years pass. Nora marries another man, Arthur, and they live in America. Hae Sung, having reconnected with her through the internet, comes to America to meet her, and the three meet for dinner in New York.
It's a simple story and sharing more of the story would spoil the experience for you. It's a tale of past lives and what ifs and Inyeon (fate). Would life have been different if Nora had stayed back in Korea? Would they have been lovers in a past life? You'll only know if you watch the movie.
If you want to see something similar to this in an Indian setting, I'd highly recommend Three of Us, streaming on Netflix.
Watch Past Lives on Amazon Prime Video
What movies did you watch in 2023? What did you think about these movies? Let me know in the comments! :)
Special Mention to these movies because you should watch them without any reviews - Barbie, Oppenheimer, Laapata Ladies, 12th Fail, 2018, Kaathal: The Core
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