TOP 20 BEST FILMS OF 2025

    Hello, everyone! Happy New Year! I cannot believe it is already the very first day of 2026. Time is going by so fast. It feels like I just finished writing my Best Movies of 2024 list. I hope this year brings us more happiness and less sadness.

    When it comes to movies, I still managed to watch quite a few last year, even though I did not reach my 2024 record. According to my Letterboxd diary, I logged 127 titles in total, consisting of 110 feature-length films (including rewatches) and 17 short films. Unfortunately, this is a 50.58% drop compared to 2024, when I viewed 257 films. This decline happened because I was so busy with my studies. Sometimes, even when I had free time, I just was not in the good mood to watch anything. Out of those 110 features, 28 were 2025 releases. Once again, this is a 12.5% decrease from the previous year, where I had seen 32 new movies before finalizing my annual list in early 2025. In terms of quality, the 2025 films I have seen were not much different from those in 2024. But to be honest, very few titles from 2025 actually piqued my interest.

    Anyway, without further ado, here is my ranking for the 20 best films of 2025. Just a quick disclaimer though. Even though this is a 'best of' list, the movies at the bottom are not always actually good. I did not watch that many films this year, just the ones that looked interesting to me.

20. Sinners | United States | Directed by Ryan Coogler

    I am one of those people who did not really get the hype for this one. I understand that people love the culture and the unique mix of music, vampires, and Black history in this film, but it just failed to meet my huge expectations. It is not a bad film, but it is definitely not something I would rewatch.

19. Good Boy | United States | Directed by Ben Leonberg

    I have not seen a horror movie from a dog's point of view since that one segment of V/H/S 2. Then, at the end of 2025, I finally watched Good Boy. It does not just use the 'dog camera' as a gimmick. It actually uses it to show the emotions of the dog, Indy. He was a great actor. I just wish the story and the pacing were a bit more polished, because then it would have been a really great film.

18. Superman | United States | Directed by James Gunn

    I usually do not care much for superhero movies because they are a bit too much fantasy for me. But Superman was different. It looked at the human and political side of things. It felt relevant and deep, not like one of those cheap movies made just for the money.

17. Caught Stealing | United States | Directed by Darren Aronofsky

    The action moves very fast, which makes the movie a lot of fun. There is not much to comment because the movie gets right into the action without wasting any time. When a movie can keep me quiet because I am so focused on the excitement, I consider it a success.

16. Twinless | United States | Directed by James Sweeney

    This was a great debut movie for 2025. Even though the story is simple, the emotions in it really touched my heart. I think Dylan O’Brien should get a lot more attention for his performance in this film.

15. 28 Years Later | United Kingdom | Directed by Danny Boyle

    It was great to see Danny Boyle return to bring this old series back to life. It was one of my favorite horror experiences of 2025. It is scary, intense, and gross, and I mean that as a compliment. However, I really did not like the ending. It was just too silly for me.

14. Hallow Road | United Kingdom | Directed by Babak Anvari

    This movie is only 80 minutes long and stays inside a car the whole time, but it is very intense from beginning to end. The ending felt a little bit too long for me, but the surprises were great. It even gave me fake goosebumps (the feeling of being creeped out by something I totally misinterpreted). Also, Rosamund Pike proves once again that she nails every single role she takes.

13. The Ugly Stepsister | Norway | Directed by Emilie Blichfeldt

    Ugh, I can still hear the sound of Elvira’s stomach rumbling because of that tapeworm she ate just to be thin. That sound still haunts me to this day, and it is honestly the biggest reason why this movie is at number 13 on my list.

12. Bone Lake | United States | Directed by Mercedes Bryce Morgan

    I really underestimated this one at first. I thought it was going to be a basic, predictable thriller. But it actually surprised me. It knows it should not pretend to be something deep. Instead, it just plays around with the genre's rules, which makes it a really fun watch for horror fans like me. It definitely proved me wrong.

11. Companion | United States | Directed by Drew Hancock

    I was surprised by this movie, even though I already knew the plot. The tension was very good and it made me want to know what would happen next. It is a really fun watch.

10. Dangerous Animals | Australia | Directed by Sean Byrne

    On the surface, it looks like any other shark thriller. But what makes it unique is that even though it was marketed as a shark horror movie, the real enemy is actually a human all the time. The film does a great job playing with claustrophobia, and the tension really ramps up as the main character tries to survive both a vicious pet shark and its crazy owner.

9. Predator: Killer of Killers | United States | Directed by Dan Trachtenberg

    Just like Caught Stealing, the action here is so fun that everything else does not really matter. The animation is super cool. Plus, having leads from three different eras in the action sequences was such a unique move, it really made the film stand out. I am not a Predator expert, but this feels like one of the best ones yet.

8. Jumbo | Indonesia | Directed by Ryan Adriandhy

    I am really glad I had the chance to see this on the big screen. It was actually the first 2025 movie I saw. It is a huge step forward for Indonesian animation, but it is also just a good movie overall. It has all the right ingredients, such as likeable characters, a simple but deep story, and beautiful animation. The song Selalu Ada di Nadimu is amazing, especially during the performance scene. It felt so magical. Great job, Pak Ryan!

7. Final Destination: Bloodlines | United States | Directed by Zach Lipovsky & Adam B. Stein

    The strength of this franchise is the creative and scary death scenes, and this movie does a great job with them. But I was even more surprised by the story. It is quite different from the previous films because it explores the history and mythology of Death itself. So, Final Destination: Bloodlines showed me that there are still a lot of new ways to tell this classic story.

6. Sorry, Baby | United States | Directed by Eva Victor

    Sexual harassment is a terrible problem that never seems to end. Eva Victor's debut film tells us a hard truth: even when the perpetrator is punished, the victim is not automatically okay (unfortunately, the perpetrator did not get punished in this movie). The emotional wounds stay open. Sorry, Baby uses humor to tell the story, and that actually makes it feel much sadder. I hope it gets a nomination for Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards.

5. F1 | United States | Directed by Joseph Kosinski

    This was a surprise. At first, I was not sure about watching it because it is very long and I was not really excited for it. But when I finally watched it, I felt like I was right in the middle of a race. I think it would be even better in a cinema because the sound is so realistic and amazing.

4. Bring Her Back | Australia | Directed by Danny Philippou & Michael Philippou

    Horror movies that deal with grief always have a special place in my heart. After Talk to Me took the number one spot on my 2023 list, the Philippou brothers have done it again. They have made a horror film that's scary but also makes you really think at the same time. The cast is incredible, especially Sally Hawkins. She made me so frustrated, but I also felt so sorry for her.

3. Together | Australia, USA | Directed by Michael Shanks

    This was my most anticipated movie of 2025, and luckily, it lived up to all my expectations. Body horror is really having a moment right now, especially since The Substance got so much attention. While Together does not exactly reinvent the wheel, it is definitely a bright spot for the genre. It helps prove that body horror is not just a generic category, but also can be something special.

2. Weapons | United States | Directed by Zach Cregger

    I have been talking about surprises this whole time, but the biggest and best surprise of 2025 for me was Weapons. At first, I really did not want to watch it because the story did not look interesting. But I was bored and had nothing else to watch, so I gave it a try. It turned out to be so much fun. The non-linear story felt like a puzzle, and I loved putting the pieces together. The ending was a little plain, but it was not disappointing. Also, Amy Madigan was incredible. She deserves an Oscar nomination, and I really hope she wins.

1. It Was Just an Accident | Iran, France, Luxembourg | Directed by Jafar Panahi

    It is probably not a surprise to see this at number one, since there is already so much hype for it. Iranian filmmakers really never miss, even though I have only seen a handful of their movies myself. This Palme d’Or winner handles its theme of moral conflict so well, and it is so intense that it felt like it was choking me. And that ending made my whole body just froze because it was so frightening. To me, this is the definition of a horror movie that is not labeled as horror. Just marvelous.

    I have had a real mix of feelings watching these films. Some were just okay, while others were absolutely mind-blowing. There are still some 2025 releases that I am interested in but have not had a chance to see yet, so they did not make this list. I will definitely be catching up on them in 2026, like It Ends, Zootopia 2, Sore: Istri dari Masa Depan, Homebound, and Meat Kills. I am really hoping 2026 brings some great movies. Looking at the lineup, the year looks pretty promising with Toy Story 5, Scary Movie 6, and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. There is also Scream 7, but honestly, I hated the production process so much that I will not spend a single cent to watch it.

    Thank you for reading my blog post. I hope you all have a wonderful 2026. Please come back again to read my new writing soon. Bye, everyone!

Scream TV Series Season 1 (2015): Not Bad, but Flat

I will never get tired of admitting that one of the films that truly shaped my life is Scream (1996), directed by Wes Craven. Every time I talk about my favorite movies, that one always comes up, along with its third sequel, Scream 4 (2011). But until recently, I had only watched the movies and never felt interested in checking out the TV series.

I have actually known for a long time that my favorite slasher franchise had a series adaptation produced by MTV. Wes Craven himself was one of the executive producers, which gave me enough confidence to finally give it a try, even though I was still pretty skeptical. Just yesterday, I finished Season 1. It took me about a month to get through all 10 episodes (I have been very busy, okay?). Anyway, let’s get straight to it and talk about what I think of this series.

This time, it is not about Sidney Prescott anymore. Instead, we follow a teenage girl named Emma Duval (Willa Fitzgerald), whose life, of course, will far from pleasant. After the brutal and mysterious death of Nina Patterson (Bella Thorne), the lives of the teens in the town of Lakewood start to fall apart. One by one, they are stalked by a masked killer. But this mysterious murderer does not kill without reason. It is trying to bring back the dark history surrounding Brandon James, a man once labeled a freak, and his connection to Emma’s mother, Maggie Duval (Tracy Middendorf).

Honestly, this series is not bad at all. It is actually pretty easy to watch. The mystery is not too hard to follow, and it does not make me feel lost while following the story. It also does not try too hard to look smart, which I appreciate. Throughout the ten episodes, I always felt curious enough to continue to the next one, even though my watching pattern ended up being 3-2-3-1-1, simply because I did not have much time.

The characters are quite interesting too, and some of them are actually quite likeable. I really liked Brooke because she has that slightly bitchy attitude. It was fun to watch her (she is hot, btw). There were also two kill moments that really caught me off guard since they were surprisingly graphic. One of them even left me shocked, especially considering how the show is mostly pretty bloodless. That scene was so gruesome, and honestly, I loved it.

Unfortunately, even though it is not a bad show, I actually have more to say about why it does not leave a lasting impression. For starters, there just are not enough intense moments. Honestly, I got a little bored because the series feels low on suspense. There are barely any chase scenes, and the body count is super small. Maybe it is because the episodes are pretty long, so they decided to limit the kills. I get it, if too many people die too fast, we had just be stuck watching Emma, and we all know she is going to end up as the final girl anyway, or at least make it to the last episode. I guess Noah was right when he said, “You can’t make slasher movies as a TV series.” The best episode is definitely episode 7, where everything finally comes together. The suspense, the kills, the blood, the mystery, everything is there and completely on point. The rest of the show, though, just keeps going in circles with the same mystery.

Even though I said earlier that some of the characters are likeable, none of them ever reach a strong point of development. Everything just feels halfway done. Emma, Audrey, Riley, Brooke, Jake, Maggie, Piper, Clark, Kieran, Will, and the others never made me truly care about them. Sure, I said I liked Brooke, but there is still so much about her character that could have been polished. Unfortunately, it all ends up feeling pretty ordinary. And if I am already saying that about Brooke’s development, you can probably imagine how the others turn out.

Lastly (I feel ashamed this review makes the series sound worse than it actually is), the episodes are just too long. If each episode had been around 40 minutes, six or seven episodes would have been more than enough. Because they stretched it to ten, the mystery ends up feeling like it is going nowhere. In my opinion, if you watch from episode 3 to 7, you will not really get that much new information. You could probably even skip episodes 4 and 5 and still catch up pretty easily by episode 6.

People really do tend to focus on the flaws, even when there are good things to appreciate. Sorry about that, haha. But honestly, even with some good parts, I still think this series is just average, maybe even a bit flat. Watching this and then rewatching the original Scream might actually make that 29-year-old movie feel like a masterpiece all over again. If you are just looking for some not-too-hard entertainment, go ahead and give it a try. Just do not expect to be impressed because I am not impressed by it.

Score: 2.5 out of 5

Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025): A Fresh Air for the Franchise

It all started a quarter of a century ago. This legendary modern horror franchise managed to make a whole generation paranoid about doing many things. Final Destination franchise made people afraid of flying, driving on highways, being behind trucks carrying logs, riding roller coasters, going to swimming pools, crossing bridges, using tanning beds, elevators, escalators—basically, every fear, whether rational or irrational. The last installment, Final Destination 5, came out in 2011. Now, the iconic franchise is back to shake things up with Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025). It took 14 years for the franchise to return and deliver a new round of trauma. But the question is—was the long wait worth it?

As tradition goes, each Final Destination film begins with a massive disaster scene. This time, it takes place in a tall building called Sky View. In 1968, Iris (Brec Bassinger) and her boyfriend Paul (Max Lloyd-Jones) attend the grand opening of the Sky View Restaurant Tower. At the dance party, Iris senses that something is wrong. She gets a premonition that the building is going to collapse. Meanwhile, 56 years later, college student Stefani Reyes (Kaitlyn Santa Juana) has been having nightmares for the past two months—visions of Iris's premonition. It turns out Iris is her grandmother. Feeling that something is not right, Stefani tries to find her reclusive grandmother and uncovers a huge secret about death that has been waiting to claim the lives of Iris’s bloodline—people who were never supposed to exist.

In this sixth installment, I am glad to say that the film offers something fresh, rather than just repeating the same story formula from the past five films (someone gets a premonition, warns the others, some listen, then the accident happens exactly as predicted, and Death comes back to finish the survivors off in creative ways). The premonition scene is a breathtaking sequence. I have to praise it. It really sets the mood and atmosphere, and it gave me clues that this movie was going to be a banger.

This film feels more complex because it tries to dig into its own mythology. I found myself surprisingly immersed in the story, realizing that the film was trying to be more careful and deliberate in its storytelling. This time, it does not just showcase senseless gore. Instead, it builds the story first—making us care about the characters and understand their emotions. As a result, I genuinely cared about what happened to them, especially since the story focuses on a family rather than a large group of strangers, like in previous films. That’s what makes Bloodlines the most emotional entry in the series for me. The characters trying to save each other actually feels believable this time.

This careful storytelling also affects how the gore scenes feel. To me, there was not a single gory scene that felt empty or pointless. Every death had weight. But that’s not the only fun part. The intense build-up in each sequence adds tension, and I found myself eagerly trying to guess who would die and how. I even started noticing small details that could potentially set off deadly chain reactions. But instead of making me feel prepared, paying attention to everything only increased my anxiety. And when the moment finally came... BOOM. I did not scream. I just sat there with my mouth open. That’s exactly what I want. That’s why I love Final Destination, and this film did its job really well.

I also need to mention Tony Todd’s appearance. He brought his signature charisma in what is said to be his final performance. He should be proud—his return brings new life to the franchise, especially because his character gets a surprisingly deep backstory reveal this time. RIP Tony Todd.

Even though I have praised the story, it is not perfect. But honestly, why should I go on about minor flaws in a film where story was not even my biggest expectation? Final Destination: Bloodlines successfully delivers thrilling entertainment and revives a long-sleeping horror franchise in a cool way. It might not be as traumatizing as the log truck scene from Final Destination 2 (2003) or the tanning bed from Final Destination 3 (2006), but with a more complex plot, I’d say this one is better overall than the previous sequels. FYI, I gave the original film a perfect score—even though nothing in it ever gave me nightmares.

Score: 4 of 5

TOP 20 BEST FILMS OF 2024

Hi, everyone! Happy new year! It’s been a really long time since I last wrote on this blog. I know no one really reads this lol, but if you’re here, I’m genuinely happy to have you reading along.

Last year, I started writing an annual list of the best movies I watched. For 2024, I logged 257 films on my Letterboxd account—the exact same number as last year. That total includes rewatches, though, which I hadn’t logged since I first made my account. Out of those 257 movies, 32 were 2024 releases. To compare, that’s more than last year and, luckily, a lot better in terms of quality. Of course, I still ended up watching a few bad or disappointing films like Maxxxine and Trap. But without further delay, here are the 20 best 2024 releases I’ve seen.

Before we jump to number 20, let’s start with two honorable mentions:

• Grave Torture: This Indonesian horror film has a brilliant premise, but unfortunately, the execution didn’t live up to my expectations. Still, I wouldn’t call it a bad film.
• Immaculate: Released close to The First Omen, this film admittedly pales in comparison. While it’s not very scary, it remains intriguing in its own right, featuring what might be Sydney Sweeney’s best horror performance of the year.

20. Speak No Evil | United States | Directed by James Watkins

A remake of the 2022 Danish horror phenomenon, Speak No Evil manages to keep the story compelling while adding a few unique touches. James McAvoy’s performance is a definite highlight. Even though I didn’t like the original, this remake stands out as one of the better modern horror remakes.

19. In A Violent Nature | Canada | Directed by Chris Nash

It’s always fascinating to see a slasher told from the killer’s perspective. While this isn’t entirely original, it still captured my interest—and I ended up enjoying it a lot. That said, its slow pacing might not appeal to everyone. For me, this is one of the best slasher films with this concept, alongside Maniac (2012).

18. Strange Darling | United States | Directed by JT Mollner

At first glance, this seemed like a typical thriller, and I expected nothing more than some tense moments. But halfway through, the film delivered a unique twist that made it not only more intense but downright insane. The two leads also have excellent chemistry, elevating the cat-and-mouse sequences.

17. A Quiet Place: Day One | United States | Directed by Michael Sarnoski

To be honest, this film doesn’t bring anything new to the table. If it hadn’t been made, it wouldn’t have impacted the franchise much. Still, I enjoyed watching it. Once again, Lupita Nyong’o delivers a solid performance, bringing life to the film. But let’s be real—the real star is Frodo, the adorable cat played by Nico and Schnitzel. Admit it: you’d care more about Frodo than Lupita, wouldn’t you?

16. Abigail | United States | Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett

The humor in this film didn’t work for me at all. Compared to the modern Scream duology, this didn’t feel like it was directed by the same duo. But let’s set that aside—this was still a fun ride, especially toward the chaotic final act.

15. Longlegs | United States | Directed by Osgood Perkins

While the slow pacing wasn’t my favorite, this film delivers solid horror with a strong mystery element. Nicolas Cage steals the show, making the opening scene shockingly creepy as his face suddenly appears just before the title card. I actually jumped.

14. Smile 2 | United States | Directed by Parker Finn

Who would’ve thought the sequel would surpass the original? Across the board—from acting to technical aspects—everything feels like an upgrade. And yes, it’s scarier too, though the first film’s final act still haunts me more.

13. The Wild Robot | United States | Directed by Chris Sanders

DreamWorks shouldn’t be underestimated by Disney. The Wild Robot proves that DreamWorks is a force to be reckoned with in modern animation. While I didn’t find it as exceptional as many others did, I appreciated its warmth. A strong contender for Best Animated Feature at the upcoming Academy Awards.

12. Twisters | United States | Directed by Lee Isaac Chung

Wow, this was such a fun watch. The story doesn’t stray far from the original, but I thoroughly enjoyed every tense sequence. It’s the perfect summer movie.

11. The First Omen | United States | Directed by Arkasha Stevenson

The Omen (1976) remains one of the few horror films that genuinely scared me. While I wasn’t terrified by this prequel, it exceeded my expectations with strong storytelling and disturbing imagery—especially that childbirth scene. Nell Tiger Free’s unhinged performance, particularly during the possession scene, is unforgettable.

10. The Shadow Strays | Indonesia | Directed by Timo Tjahjanto

It’s hard to surpass the insanity of The Raid duology, a brutal yet captivating martial arts series that left a mark internationally. The Shadow Strays doesn’t quite reach that level, but it still proudly adds to Indonesia’s lineup of impressive action films. I thoroughly enjoyed the thrilling brutality of its action sequences. Forget the logic of the story, and you’ll find yourself having a great time.

9. How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies | Thailand | Directed by Pat Boonnitipat

Thailand should be proud of this film for becoming the country’s first-ever entry to make the Oscar shortlist for Best International Feature Film. And honestly, I’m not surprised. This is a well-crafted drama where I felt warmth throughout its story. It didn’t move me to tears, but I could genuinely feel the sadness, especially in the ending. A beautiful film.

8. Dune: Part Two | United States | Directed by Denis Villeneuve

This sequel expands the story to a grander, more epic, and busier scale. I could still feel the cinematic experience, even though I didn’t watch it in theaters. However, compared to Dune (2021), I preferred the first film because this one felt slower to me. Even so, it’s undeniably one of the best films of the year.

7. Inside Out 2 | United States | Directed by Kelsey Mann

No sequel could ever surpass the brilliance of Inside Out (2015)—not even other Pixar films. That said, this is still a good follow-up to an animated masterpiece. The themes feel more personal and slightly more mature, leaving many viewers reflecting on their lives. The only downside is that it lacks the same imaginative spark and storytelling impact as the original. Still, it’s a solid movie.

6. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga | United States | Directed by George Miller

It’s heartbreaking to see this film flop at the box office. If I had lived closer to a theater, I would’ve watched it there. Furiosa is just as fun as Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). The intensity remains intact, and its action sequences are explosive. The only thing missing is the spark that made the previous film extraordinary. If it had that, this might’ve landed in my top three.

5. Anora | United States | Directed by Sean Baker

This Palme d’Or winner felt boring at first, but my opinion took a complete 180-degree turn once the story hit its core. The film is utterly chaotic—in the best way possible. I loved how raw and messy it felt. Mikey Madison was the perfect choice to play Anora, and I sincerely hope she wins an Oscar. And this time, she’s not on fire lol.

4. Harlot’s Prayer | Indonesia | Directed by Hanung Bramantyo

Upon release, this film sparked major controversy. In my opinion, the backlash came from people who felt personally attacked by its message. The film boldly exposes the hypocrisy, chaos, and corruption of important figures in Indonesia. Aghniny Haque’s performance is outstanding, showcasing a seamless transition from an innocent character to a bitchy one. Indonesia needs more films like this—ones that slap us with reality.

3. Alien: Romulus | United States | Directed by Fede Álvarez

This film successfully brings the legendary Alien franchise back to its horror roots. After several entries that shifted from horror to action, Alien: Romulus delivers the terror I felt when watching the original. While Alien (1979) leans toward atmospheric horror, this film blends action with horror as its driving force. I loved Álvarez’s creative sequences and that terrifying final act. Absolutely insane.

2. Civil War | United States | Directed by Alex Garland

After watching 172 Days (2023) last year as my first-ever theater experience, I went back to the cinema in late April 2024—and it was for this film. The experience was incredibly satisfying. I jumped out of my seat multiple times, thanks to its deafening, hyper-realistic sound design. Though not a horror film, it gave me some of the most chilling depictions of civil war. That dead body pit sequence? Easily one of the most nerve-wracking scenes I’ve ever watched. So glad I caught this in theaters.

1. The Substance | France, United Kingdom, United States | Directed by Coralie Fargeat

Body horror isn’t exactly my favorite genre, but I don’t actively avoid it either. The Substance might just become a prime example of how body horror should be done. Its satirical message is brilliantly delivered, criticizing society’s obsession with perfection. Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley form a killer duo, giving what I think are the best performances in horror last year. Does this mean I should finally watch another body horror, such as The Fly (1986)? Maybe it’s time to give it a shot.

There are still many 2024 releases I haven’t watched yet, whether due to a lack of time or simply not being interested. Wicked, Blink Twice, and Flow are a few promising films I haven’t gotten to. Thank you for reading this! I hope you’ll keep coming back to my blog. Bye, everyone!

TOP 20 BEST FILMS OF 2023

Happy New Year, everyone. After going through 2023 with various moments, you will definitely have your own impressions. We have gone through joy and sorrow, tears and laughter in 2023.

In 2023, lots of films will be released, the same as in previous years. There are bad ones, and there are also good ones. Personally, I'm not the type of person who always watches the latest films. I'm still curious about old films and even legend films that I haven't watched. Throughout 2023, I have watched 252 films. Not really 252, because I created my Letterboxd account in 2022, so some of the films I rewatched but haven't logged are considered new to Letterboxd. However, among the 252 films, 26 of them are films released in 2023.

This time I will write my top 20 best films released in 2023. This list is my opinion. You may agree, you may not. Because there are only 26 films released in 2023 that I have seen, and I will include 20 of them in this list, I will put the remaining 6 films in honorable mention (or my top 6 worst 2023 films).

Honorable Mention (alphabetically):

- Cocaine Bear - United States

A comedy with a slight touch of horror that didn't work for me.

- Hell House LLC Origins : The Carmichael Manor - United States

Some of the moments are quite scary, but not particularly disturbing and not good overall.

- Ice Cold : Murder, Coffee, and Jessica Wongso - Indonesia

A bit one-sided documentary, but actually I enjoyed it.

- Insidious : The Red Door - United States

Not scary and boring at all. Second worst after Cocaine Bear in this year.

- Joy Ride - United States

The dirty jokes are over-the-top. Not funny. Cringe.

- Losmen Melati - Indonesia

The production sets are good, but the story is very confusing.

Let's start...

20. 172 Days | Dir. Hadrah Daeng Ratu | Indonesia

The first film I saw in the cinema. The film is quite good, entertaining, and a little touching at the end. Even though there are still many flaws, 172 Days is not as bad as I thought.

19. Barbie | Dir. Greta Gerwig | United States

Barbie is too weak to be in a higher position. I was disappointed with the film. I knew what I was going to see wasn't Barbie like in the animated films. I'm just bored when watching it. Not bad, but for a film that is very booming this year, being in 19th place is a shame for Barbie. Sorry.

18. No One Will Save You | Dir. Brian Duffield | United States

Without dialogue, this film still has edge-on-my-seat intensity. Even though it is lacking in some parts, overall it is still good enough for having fun. And I was disappointed with the alien design.

17. Thanksgiving | Dir. Eli Roth | United States

The kills are good. I am very satisfied. Unique and interesting. However, the plot is too predictable. The acting is a bit awkward. But I still like this film.

16. Dear David | Dir. Lucky Kuswandi | Indonesia

Having good potential, as well as a very emotional plot in the first half, apparently my hopes were like being molested by this film like what happened to David. I was disappointed with the ending which added forced elements and made the film pointless.

15. The Killer | Dir. David Fincher | United States

The plot is a bit down, but the cast performance is very good. The action scenes are quite brutal. Raw.

14. Asteroid City | Dir. Wes Anderson | United States

A beautifully colorful film. I didn't expect for the story, because I knew the film would end up being a bit confusing. Typical Wes Anderson film.

13. Missing | Dir. Nicholas D. Johnson & Will Merrick | United States

With a unique concept, fortunately Missing has a good way of speaking about its story. The twist is good and throughout the film it doesn't feel monotonous. However, this film is forgettable, because I even forgot I ever watched this film.

12. Nimona | Dir. Troy Quane & Nick Bruno | United States

The animation style is cool. Not to mention the full action package. Unfortunately, making the MC gay was too forced, it didn't even change the story.

11. Elemental | Dir. Peter Sohn | United States

It was an entertaining watch and reminded me again that Pixar can still make good animation. However, it's forgettable and becomes very weak when compared to Pixar films in the 2000s and 2010s. I mean, no impression.

10. No Hard Feelings | Dir. Gene Stupnitsky | United States

Jennifer Lawrence managed to play her role very well. Hilarious, touching, and shining like a star. I will never forget that fight scene on the beach.

9. The Hunger Games : The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes | Dir. Francis Lawrence | United States

A good prequel. Actually there are many parts that I still don't understand, but this film is still good, especially at the beginning when Lucy Gray is still being mentored by Snow and she goes to the arena.

8. Evil Dead Rise | Dir. Lee Cronin | United States

A film that doesn't hesitate to tear my skin apart. Claustrophobic, bloody,  and gory horror. I remember how shocked I was when I saw the cheese grater stuck to Becky's leg. Chef kiss.

7. Saw X | Dir. Kevin Greutert | United States

Finally, Saw has another good installment. Surprisingly, Saw X has good characterization like the first film. The traps are also good. It's a satisfaction to see Jigsaw playing with the traps he made again.

6. Totally Killer | Dir. Nahnatchka Khan | United States

I really love this slasher. Even though the mask used is very boring, the kills and time travel concept are very good. Totally Killer is like Happy Death Day and has references to horror films like Scream, the MC even spoils the ending of Scream. I love this.

5. The Super Mario Bros. Movie | Dir. Michael Jelenic & Aaron Horvath | United States

Illumination really knows how to seize momentum when Disney is being criticized by many people. The story is ordinary, but what is presented here is very exciting. I myself know little about games, but I know very well that playing games or watching films are two equally enjoyable moments.

4. Scream VI | Dir. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett | United States

Honestly, I was disappointed with the ending, because it wasn't as good as the previous series of events. But Scream VI has its own spark. Ghostface seems to know that I love being scared. He's scary here. I'm disappointed that Scream VII was killed by its own production team.

3. Autobiography | Dir. Makbul Mubarak | Indonesia

This film is a submission from Indonesia for the upcoming Oscars. It's a shame that this film failed to make it to the shortlist. Autobiography is very awesome. So impressive from the first minute to the last. This film succeeds in showing how terrible humans can be when they have power and thirst for respect.

2. Saltburn | Dir. Emerald Fennel | United Kingdom

The sickest film I've seen during 2023. From what I heard, this film is very similar to The Talented Mr. Ripley. But since I haven't watched that, this one is really fascinating for me. Every second makes me speechless. I don't know where Emerald Fennell's mind came from to create these sick and disturbing scenes. Barry Keoghan really shines here. The ending made me unable to close my mouth.

1. Talk To Me | Dir. Michael Philippou & David Philippou | Australia

How good is this film that it could be at the top of my list? For me, this film is an excellent metaphor about the impact of addiction, whether it's drug or gadget addiction. It is very clear that the directors want to tell you that solving problems by using problems will make the problems bigger. It's scary, thrilling, yet disturbing. One of the best horror I've seen in years.

It's a shame I didn't watch the strong contestants of 2023, such as Killers of The Flower Moon, Oppenheimer, The Holdovers, etc. But that's okay, I'm very happy to be able to watch some good films this year. Hopefully in 2024 it will be harder for me to make lists like this because of good films. Happy New Year, guys.