It’s been a busy year for films, and there’s been plenty of big hits. But there are always a few movies every year that go underappreciated, so we’ve put together a list of some of the very best films of the year that you may have missed but are definitely worth your time:

Sorry Baby

Definitely one of the highlights of the year, Sorry Baby is directed, written by, and stars Eva Victor, and follows a college professor who is quietly dealing with the aftermath of sexual assault. Part drama, part black comedy, it moves back and forth between the time of the incident and Agnes (Victor) living in the present, having withdrawn from life and feeling left behind. Living alone with a stray cat, her assaunt still haunts her. Naomi Ackie plays Agnes’ friend Lydie, who is pregnant and, in contrast to Agnes, seems to have her life on track. Lucas Hedges, meanwhile, plays Gavin, Agnes’ potential love interest. Its honest and upfront discussions about a difficult topic make it one to watch.

Black Bag

Black Bag, somewhat surprisingly, didn’t make a huge splash when it released earlier this year- despite its big-name cast members and critical acclaim, it underperformed at the box office. It may be destined to be rediscovered through streaming, though, and it deserves it: a slick spy thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh, Black Bag stars Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett as a married couple who are both in the British intelligence services. George (Fassbender) is informed of a leak that could be devastating to the service he works for, and that one of the suspects is his wife. He has no choice but to decide whether his loyalty lies with his country or his marriage. Naomi Harris, Marisa Abela, Pierce Brosnan and Regé-Jean Page also star.

The Life of Chuck

Fantastical drama The Life of Chuck is another underappreciated film from this year, starring Tom Hiddleston as the titular Chuck Krantz. Based on a story by Stephen King, it’s told backwards in reverse chronological order, beginning with his death and moving back to reach his childhood. There’s a looming apocalyptic event that Chuck is uniquely linked to, and despite being an apparently ordinary person, he becomes famous around the world, his image appearing everywhere. Marty (Chiwetel Ejiofor), his ex-wife Felicia (Karen Gillian) are curious as to who this man is, while the world crumbles around them. Thought-provoking and existential, The Life of Chuck is one of the year’s most intriguing films.

Relay

Another thriller on this list, Relay stars Riz Ahmed as a fixer who deals specifically with whistleblowers and the companies they once worked for. Working anonymously in the shadows, Ash (Ahmed) has become highly proficient at securing payouts and successful deals between clients. A new client, Sarah (Lily James), gets in contact with him and requests his help, looking to help expose a corrupt corporation. However, when said company starts trying to kill her to keep her silent, Ash can’t help but become personally involved. Despite his careful adherence to his personal set of rules to keep himself safe, he resolves to break them to help keep Sarah alive.

Pillion

Pillion has only just released, so this is more of one to make sure you don’t miss- but it deserves a spot here anyway. A British romantic dramedy, the film is about an awkward, introverted gay man named Colin (Harry Melling), who lives with his parents and longs to find someone to share his life with. One evening while sitting in a pub, he’s given a note by a mysterious, strikingly handsome stranger, a biker named Ray. Unable to resist following his lead, he soon finds himself falling into a BDSM relationship with the biker and happily obeying his every command. But is the relationship really everything Colin wants, and is it even good for him? His parents express their doubts, and Pillion becomes an engrossing emotional drama that’s tender and funny.

Caught Stealing

Like Black Bag, Caught Stealing boasts a starry cast, an acclaimed director (Darren Aronofsky) and good reviews, and yet didn’t perform that well box office-wise. Set in New York, it stars Austin Butler as Hank, a once-promising baseball player who is now living as a bartender, and crosses paths with NYC’s criminal underworld. While pet sitting for his eccentric punk neighbour, Russ (Matt Smith), he’s attacked and beaten by Russian gangsters, who were after Russ. Hank is drawn further into the world of crime and is the target of several criminals who are all keen to get rid of him. The cast also includes Zoe Kravitz, Regina King, Lieberman Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio and Benito Martinez Ocasio/Bad Bunny.

The Ballad of Wallis Island

Comedian Tim Key writes and stars in this comedy that also stars Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan. Charles (Key) is a widower who lost his wife several years before the events of the film, and managed to achieve the incredibly unlikely feat of winning the lottery twice. Charles and his wife, Marie, were huge fans of folk duo McGwyer Mortimer, and Charles decided to invite the duo to reunite for a performance on his small private island. Herb McGwyer (Basden) and Nell Mortimer (Mulligan) have now moved on from their folk days (and relationship), but agree to join Charles and perform. But there are still lingering tensions and animosity between the two, which lead to complications.

Culture, Films & TV

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