The2020shave brought tons of instant classics in film as well as critical failures. Fromrecent phenomenons likeSinnersto major flops likeJoker: Folie à Deux, there has been a spread of love and hate brought to films released in the last five years. There have also been a vast number of releases that have received high critical acclaim that are nowhere near deserving of it. Films likeEmilia Pérezhave proven that there can be a huge discrepancy between what critics think about a film compared to audiences, which was shown through its record-breaking Academy Award nominations.
Whether it’s a critically acclaimed Oscar contender or an audience-beloved comedy, the 2020s have seen many films receive love that they did not deserve. These films may have commendable aspects, but some films have been put on too high a pedestal.
Here are the 10 most overrated movies of the 2020s so far.
10’Tár' (2022)
Cate Blanchett delivers one of her strongest performancesinTár, but the film surrounding it fails to live up to her talent. The film’s depiction of cancel culture is interesting, especially in this day and age, but it’s too slow and meandering to be anything worthwhile. The fact that this scored an editing nomination at the Academy Awards is blasphemous, as it is easily the weakest part of the movie. Director Todd Field clearly brought a lot of ambition to the film, but his big swings brought devastating results. Although there are intricacies to the screenplay, the film struggles to give something worth engaging in.
Movies Are Too Long These Days
Táris one of many examples of the problems with current Hollywood. Especially with theatrical releases, movies these days feel they need to bring a spectacle to justify its existence, and part of that is viewed through a long runtime. Films do not need to have a long runtime to be viewed as a spectacle or worthy of the theatrical treatment, andTarstruggles in this aspect. At 160 minutes, the film stretches itself out way too far, with its small-scale story failing to justify its lengthy runtime. The film would have been much better if the runtime were cut immensely.
9’The Zone of Interest' (2023)
The Zone of Interest
The Zone of Interesthad a lot of amazing things going for it. With incredible direction from Johnathan Glazer and an amazing visual style, there are many commendable aspects of the film. Sadly, the experience of watching it doesn’t match the creativity on display. The film’s theme of evil is completely redundant throughout, beating the audience over the head with its core ideas. Although the film is only 105 minutes, the lack of progression in the story drags it immensely. Glazer’s talent as a filmmaker is commendable, but this would have been much more effective as a short film.
There Should Be More Experimental Films
Even thoughThe Zone of Interestdidn’t land in every aspect it was going for, experimental films may be just what Hollywood needs to keep afloat. In an era of safe sequels and remakes dominating the box office, people become tired and eager for something more. Films likeSkinamarinkare a clear example of this, as that film garnered a solid $2 million box-office rundespite its independent release and $15,000 budgetand became a massive talking point for 2023 horror. If studios released more experimental films that got a conversation going, it could bring a whole new generation of film fans to the theater.
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8’The Killer' (2023)
The Killer
An action/thriller by David Fincher starring Michael Fassbender sounds like a match made in heaven, butThe Killerfails to live up to its high potential. There are many well-crafted sequences, including an all-timer hand-to-hand combat scene, but the story and character work is severely lacking. What the film says about identity and perfection is extremely redundant, using old spy movie tropes and a familiar structure in the most bland way possible. Although Fincher’s production has some standout elements, the film overall is extremely lacking, especially compared to Fincher’s other films.
Fincher Needs To Leave Netflix
WithMankandThe Killer, David Fincher has been putting out his weakest projects to date. What was once an iconic filmmaker has since turned into an artist trapped in the arms of Netflix.With aOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodsequeland a possibleSquid Game USAin development, Fincher is seemingly struggling to make projects worthy of his previous efforts, and that is because of Netflix. If Fincher were to leave Netflix, his projects would likely be much stronger as he would not be restricted by the studio’s unnecessary effort to please an algorithm.
7’Living' (2022)
Livingis a remake of Akira Kurosawa’sIkiru, but it doesn’t come even close to the quality. The film is a slow-moving British period piece about life that is completely void of it. The visual style is uninspired, lacking nuance, and contributes nothing to the overall film outside a couple of landscape shots. What the film is attempting to say about age and how one should look at life should come off as heartfelt and endearing, butLiving’s lack of identity makes the themes come off as shallow and undercooked. The film is nowhere near deserving of an Oscar nomination for Adapted Screenplay, as it is easily the aspect of the film that fell flat the most.
A remake should act as a do-over for a poorly received movie, not as a cash-grab. For example, 2017’sItarguably managed to do everything better than its predecessor (although Tim Curry remains a legend) and became one of the highest-grossing horror films of all time. If studios are interested in keeping their successful properties in theaters, re-releases are a much better strategy compared to simply remaking them. The success ofRevenge of the Sithis a clear example of that, as the film hadone of the highest-grossing weekends at the box office this year, even beating out Pixar’s newest animated film. By remaking bad movies, it would be the perfect balance of an IP release, as well as trying to do something better for the film community.
6’No Time to Die' (2021)
No Time to Die
Daniel Craig had a generational run as James Bond, but his final film as the popular spy,No Time to Die,left a lot to be desired. The film looked and sounded great, but the story is extremely underwhelming and unmemorable. The “vacationed spy returning to the game” is extremely overdone and lacks what is necessary for Craig’s final performance as the titular character. While the ending of the film brought a heavy amount of emotion, everything leading up to it is dull and lacks intrigue.
James Bond Needs To Change
James Bond might be the most famous movie character of all time, but his ideologies are extremely dated. The character is meant to represent a peak form of masculinity, but now that the franchise is over 60 years old, it feels extremely stale. Now that Amazon is the rights owner of the franchise, it is time for a complete restructure of the character. Whether they casta big name like Tom Hollandor a complete unknown, the new Bond should be completely reframed, because the current schtick isn’t good enough.
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5’The Lost Daughter' (2021)
The Lost Daughter
An Olivia Coleman-led film is bound to build excitement, butThe Lost Daughteris anything but exciting. Characters taking a cathartic look at themselves can sometimes lead to emotionally rewarding results, but this film is far too dreary. Although Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley deliver performances worthy of their Oscar nominations, the film around them struggles to be on their level. The film’s depiction of parenting comes off far too depressing, with a slow pace and dull visuals contributing to this being one of the most overrated movies of the 2020s.
Olivia Coleman Should Star in More Projects
Olivia Coleman is easilyone of the best actresses working today. Despite winning an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role, she has barely had any lead roles. With someone of her talent, she should be leading movies as often as Leonardo DiCaprio or Timothée Chalamet. She may not be an A-list celebrity, but she could be if studios cast her in more lead roles.
4’I Care a Lot' (2020)
I Care A Lot
I Care a Lotwanted to be the nextGone Girl, but failed on almost every level. With an inconceivable script and lackluster performances, this Netflix thriller fails to be anything captivating or substantive. Rosamund Pike plays a dumbed-down version of Amy Dunne, and her performance equates her character. Her winning the Best Actress in a Comedy prize at the Golden Globes over the Oscar-nominated performance by Maria Bakalova is one of the many reasons why the film was overrated and overrewarded
Netflix Severely Lacks Quality Control
Although Netflix has produced a lot of critically successful films, many of their original films struggle to be competent. Instead of creating artistic and worthwhile projects, they produce films based on what an algorithm tells them is successful. Froma disastrous dystopian spectacle likeUgliesto a horrific remake likeHe’s All That, Netflix has a severe lack of quality control that needs to be implemented if they want to make projects worth remembering.
3’I’m Still Here' (2024)
I’m Still Here
I’m Still Hereis a tragic true story with a commanding performance from Fernanda Torres, but the film is too one-note and lengthy to be receiving something like a Best Picture nomination. For a film that has such a small plot, the film stretches itself to an unjustified 135-minute runtime. Although the acting and writing are strong in parts, the film would have been much stronger as a documentary. It may not be a disaster like other films on the list, but it is far overrated due to receiving multiple Oscar nominations and being one of the highest-rated 2024 releases on Letterboxd.
Oscars' Diversity Has Improved Immensely
AlthoughI’m Still Herewas not deserving of a Best Picture nomination, it is nice to see the Academy acknowledging more films outside the United States. Not only does it benefit the filmmakers, but it allows for a larger awareness of films not in the English language. United States citizens rarely ever put effort into seeing films not in English, but if studios or organizations like the Academy promote them in a stronger manner, then it would open up better opportunities for international filmmakers to find success. There shouldn’t be a large discrepancy between American and non-American films, and there wouldn’t be if studios and organizations pushed international films harder on the average moviegoer.
2’Elvis' (2022)
Elvishas the vibrant energy and frantic pacing to deserve a two-hour-plus runtime, but its redundant story and spotty acting from the supporting cast makes it an abysmal Best Picture nominee. Austin Butlertruly becomes Elvis in a captivating way, but Tom Hanks is severely miscast as his manager, making the film come off more as a comedy than a drama. The rags-to-riches musician storyline is incredibly stale, doing nothing to make Elvis stand out besides his songs. Baz Luhrmann’s direction helps elevate the concert sequences, but the script makes the film a meaningless experience.
Hollywood Needs To Pump the Breaks on Music Biopics
Films likeRocketmanandLove & Mercyshow that music biopics can work, but in recent years, they have become extremely stale and contrived. The filmmakers behind the movies have no interest in telling a unique story about the person, but instead make a music video-type montage of their greatest hits. Films likeBohemian RhapsodyandBack to Blackhave failed to capture anything below the surface about the famous musicians, and it’s time that Hollywood gave up on them. If they want to continue making films about musicians, the documentary route would be much stronger and would capture the person much better.
1’Babes' (2024)
Nothing is worse than a bad comedy, andBabesis exactly that. While there are some thought-provoking elements of family and friendship, the comedy completely voids all the film’s emotional elements. Llana Glazer has been funny in multiple films and stand-up specials, but her comedy here is hard to watch. The banter between the two leads made for the most cringe moments seen in films this decade. Straightforward comedies are hard to come by these days, but films likeBabesare not the ones to bring them back.
Why Are Comedies So Rare These Days?
The newestNaked Gunfilm looks to be the first straightforward studio comedyin a long time. In recent years, there have been only a couple of comedies that are released in theaters per year, and it is unclear as to why. Does the heightened political climate make it harder to come up with a strong comedy? Do they simply not make enough money? Are streamers killing comedies? No matter the case, comedies are a core reason for so many successful actors and filmmakers, and hopefully they make their way back to the theater soon.
