Still: A Michael J Fox Movie
While John Wick: Chapter 4 was a close second, Still for me has been the most rewarding movie experience of 2023. Fox himself is an utterly engaging subject, and his lightness and wit elevate what could have otherwise been a grim and heavy story. The film is put together with consummate skill, effortlessly weaving perfectly chosen clips spanning Fox’s career with some of the best constructed recreation I’ve ever seen. This is a joy of a film. David O’Brien, 44, Dublin
The Fabelmans
I’ve been a movie buff from the time I was six or seven. I always wanted to be in the local cinema at Granville, watching whatever was showing. I have never lost my passion for movies but feel sad that the Marvel-type blockbusters dominate, which I gave up a while ago. The Fabelmans is my favourite movie of the year so far. So much of this film touched me because it was my story, in a way. Young Fabelman went on to become a famous film-maker. I went on to be the Joe who forked out to watch the movies that he made. Brian, New South Wales, Australia
The Nettle Dress
I was taken to the film with a friend, not holding much hope for a documentary about a man making a dress from nettle fibre over seven years. Doesn’t really sound like a winner, does it? But what a beautiful film it turned out to be. It’s hard to review without using opposing adjectives: gentle yet powerful, simple yet complex, deeply emotional yet without manipulation. I’m actually going to watch it again this weekend, something I very rarely do. I hope this enchanting movie gets the recognition it deserves. Claire O’Sullivan, Fressingfield, Suffolk
Beau Is Afraid
This felt like being a participant in someone’s worst nightmare, but was also was extremely funny. That said, I did notice I was the only one laughing in the cinema. The mixture of strangeness and inventiveness with bizarre humour was breathtaking. John O’Dwyer, 66, Co Kildare, Ireland
Knock at the Cabin
M Night Shyamalan’s film seemed to fly under the radar for British audiences, at least judging by the screening I shared with a single couple a few rows behind me. But it shouldn’t have! This is my favourite of all of his films. A gay couple brings their daughter to a cabin in the woods for a holiday, but four invaders bring them an ultimatum: choose one of your family to die, or the world will end. You could say the story is on-the-nose, but Shyamalan understands how to use his character’s performances to bring out the soul of the film. Wrestler-turned-actor Dave Bautista is the standout, juxtaposing a kind and pleading demeanour with his large and intimidating body. Tim Roger, 23, Surrey
The Super Mario Bros Movie
Two of the three movies I’ve seen in the cinema this year were proper grownup films that I really enjoyed – Tár and Return to Seoul. However, my favourite film (as a cinema-going experience) of 2023 so far was The Super Mario Bros Movie. We went to see it with our 10-year-old and we had so much fun together. It was an entertaining, funny film for all the family to enjoy. Liz, 42, Dublin
Rye Lane
The only preparation I had for this was a friend telling me she grew up on Peckham Rye and they used her old work building to film in. What I didn’t expect was a pitch perfect, shot in the arm, romcom meet cute. The performances, the humour, the sleight of hand tenderness. You know you’re on to a winner when you have to pause while you laugh (namely during the restaurant scene). There are echoes of Before Sunrise – so I’m praying we get two more of these, 10 years apart. Truly magical. Andy Gray, 39, Manchester
The Blue Caftan
This Moroccan film is a beautifully intimate, slowly unfolding story about a gay master embroiderer and his wife. She, we learn, is terminally ill. We see how tenderly and sensitively he cares for her. How she still cares for him and how she slowly makes space in their couple for the recently arrived younger gay craftsman. There are touches of humour, and the photography is beautiful. I went to see it twice. Hazel, 74, France
John Wick 4
My best film of year so far. Two-and-a-half hours went by like 20 minutes, and I still wanted more as it ended. The medium of cinema can educate us, open our minds to new ideas – but it has to entertain. To this end, JW4 delivers copper-bottomed, five-star stimulation. Roger, 54, Swansea
20,000 Species of Bees
A tender and meditative film about that moment in life when a kid realises they are trans, and the lives of everyone around them. Gonzalo, 47, Toronto, Canada
Leonor Will Never Die
I think the most overlooked film so far this year is Leonor Will Never Die, a warm-hearted and hugely entertaining love letter to Filipino cinema and action movies from director Martika Ramirez Escobar. Sheila Francisco is terrific in the lead as an elderly screenwriter who becomes trapped in the world of her unfinished script for an action film. It’s witty, charming, and balances playfulness with sincerity. David West, Loughton
Carmen
The wonderful dance sequences were seamlessly incorporated into the narrative. Paul Mescal’s acting is so enthralling. I couldn’t look at the fight scene. I was also interested to see that the end of the film was different to the operatic version. Mary, Ireland
Renfield
I try to go to the movie theatre once a week, and while there have been some good and powerful movies this year, Renfield was the only one so far that was laugh-out-loud funny. Even in a showing with about 10 people, you could get that shared audience feeling, which is what makes the medium great. Maarten, 29, Delft, The Netherlands
