The year 2021 was wildly impactful and a standout year for modern cinema, seeing a wide array of dynamic and highly acclaimed releases that have already cemented powerful legacies for themselves. These films range from massively successful multimillion-dollar blockbusters like Dune and Spider-Man: No Way Home to striking independent films like The Green Knight and Pig. However, with more films being created and more ways to watch film than ever before, it is all but inevitable that, even years later, several exceptional films from the year have fallen through the cracks of obscurity.
Such films include critically acclaimed darlings that were soon forgotten after being overlooked by awards circuits, international films that were already facing an uphill battle to garner attention, or films that simply didn’t have the marketing to reach a wider audience. These reasons and many more are just some of the ways that a wildly exceptional and well-made film can be overlooked, not just in favor of the latest blockbusters but even by comparison with other hidden gems.
10
‘I’m Your Man’
Directed by Maria Schrader
A German romantic comedy that flips the very concepts behind its classic sci-fi premise on its head, I’m Your Man almost plays out as if it’s an eccentric, alternate twist on a film like Her. The film follows Alma (Maren Eggert), a scientist who has been coerced into participating in a study in which she lives with a robotic companion for weeks, meant to tailor to her specific tastes and needs. However, as much as robotic partner Tom (Dan Stevens) attempts to be the perfect partner for her, Alma has no interest in such a romance and simply wants these weeks to go by as fast as possible.
I’m Your Man goes beyond simply telling a story of isolation and finding refuge within a robotic companion, but instead provides a comedic and scathing takedown of the implications of such an overwhelming technological breakthrough. The film’s message and humor are especially striking considering the massive rise in artificial intelligence that has occurred since its release, with its message of technological overreliance being as poignant as it is painful.
I’m Your Man
- Release Date
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July 1, 2021
- Runtime
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108 Minutes
- Director
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Maria Schrader
- Writers
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Maria Schrader, Jan Schomburg
9
‘Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar’
Directed by Josh Greenbaum
A wildly hilarious absurdist comedy from writing duo Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar entirely distinguishes itself from their previous work on Bridesmaids with an array of goofy, nonsensical charm. The film stands out as one of the 2020s’ most underrated comedies with its massive sense of scale, wildly creative gags, and overall sense of joy at every turn. The film is constantly throwing wild ideas at the wall, and while this approach of non-stop comedy may not be for everyone, it certainly has an inherent ability to be a home run with the right crowd.
The film sees best friends Barb and Star, portrayed by Mumolo and Wiig, respectively, leaving their small Midwestern town for the first time to experience the limelight on a vacation in Vista Del Mar, Florida. They soon find themselves on a wide variety of different adventures, such as finding love, enjoying the sun, and stopping a dastardly villain’s plot to murder everyone in the town. The film is a must-watch for any fans of either absurdist comedy or Wiig and Mumolo’s previous comedy endeavors.
8
‘Swan Song’
Directed by Benjamin Cleary
A heartbreaking story of inevitability and inner-strength to persevere and sacrifice for the betterment of one’s family, Swan Song takes the sci-fi staple of cloning and creates an original, wholly emotional use of the concept. The film follows Cameron Turner (Mahershala Ali), who, after being diagnosed with a terminal illness, decides to partake in an experimental solution in which a clone of him is created to replace his daily life to shield his wife and son from grief.
Swan Song’s usage of clones as a tool to tackle grief goes hand in hand with its overwhelming themes of acceptance, self-worth, and coming to terms with terminal illness as a whole. The sci-fi elements of its storytelling are relatively small and unimportant, as the film is much more focused on tackling the moral and philosophical quandaries of its theoretical technology. The film was massively overlooked as a part of the streaming catalog of AppleTV+, yet it wholly deserves to be in the conversation as one of the most emotional and heartbreaking sci-fi films of the decade.
7
‘The Card Counter’
Directed by Paul Schrader
Paul Schrader is one of the most prolific and acclaimed visionaries in the realm of film, both as a writer in his early career of films like Taxi Driver and Raging Bull and a powerful director in the modern era of films like First Reformed. One of his more overlooked and underappreciated recent endeavors is The Card Counter, a film that similarly tackles its struggling and broken main character as he wanders through the monotony and pains of life. Much like Schrader’s other films, the film isn’t afraid to delve into shocking and painful concepts to establish its core messaging and story.
The film follows experienced card player William Tell (Oscar Isaac), who travels from casino to casino, earning just enough winnings through counting cards to make a profit while not getting in trouble with the casinos. While on his aimless journey, he finds himself approached by Cirk (Tye Sheridan), a vulnerable young man filled with rage looking for revenge against a military colonel. Tell sees a path to retribution through Cirk, deciding to take him under his wing and attempting to keep him on a straight and narrow path in life.
The Card Counter
- Release Date
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September 10, 2021
- Runtime
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112 minutes
- Director
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Paul Schrader
- Writers
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Paul Schrader
6
‘Werewolves Within’
Directed by Josh Ruben
The whodunit genre has been so widely ingrained in stone that it can be difficult to truly innovate and evolve a genre that has seen the near-maximum extent of creative possibilities. However, Werewolves Within proves that a refreshing, original whodunit experience doesn’t necessarily have to come from the story and the mystery itself, striking new ground and being an electrifyingly fun time thanks to its style and tone. The film especially comes as a pleasant surprise due to it being an adaptation of an entirely unknown VR video game.
The film follows a classic horror whodunit premise, with a small town dealing with a vicious werewolf clawing its way through them one by one. What distinguishes the film from other whodunits, however, is just how much inspiration it takes from classic social deduction games, feeling more like a wild game being played between friends with over-the-top personalities and cunning deception. Especially in the realm of video game adaptations, Werewolves Within is one of the best due to evolving and translating the feeling of playing the game to the big screen.
Werewolves Within
- Release Date
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June 25, 2021
- Runtime
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97 minutes
- Director
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Josh Ruben
- Writers
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Mishna Wolff
5
‘Bad Luck Banging or Loony P*rn’
Directed by Radu Jude
A Romanian satirical dramedy that brazenly knocks down the walls of narrative structure and perverse adult content, Bad Luck Banging and Loony P*rn is a one-of-a-kind comedy experience. The film follows a school teacher having her career under fire after a personal sex tape of her is leaked online and spreads like wildfire, with various parents calling for her to resign from the prestigious academy. The film takes this approach to closely examine not only the culture and life of Romania but also the essence and broken nature of humanity as a whole.
Bad Luck Banging and Loony P*rn is constantly breaking the rules and conventions of what can be shown in a film, to a point where the version of the film streaming on Hulu had to be censored. This ranges from directly showing pornographic material as a gag for comedy to reserving an entire middle section of the film to showcase a “short dictionary of anecdotes, signs, and wonders” unrelated to the actual narrative. Its style of chaotic yet philosophical dark comedy certainly isn’t for everyone, though those who connect with it will find a nonstop barrage of laughs and deeper themes.
4
‘Petite Maman’
Directed by Céline Sciamma
Petite Maman makes the courageous effort to have a similar energy and timeless nature as a classic children’s fairy tale, greatly succeeding with its notions of generational love and the passage of time. The film follows eight-year-old Nelly, who, after the death of her beloved grandmother, sees her family combing through the belongings and remains of her mother’s childhood home. As Nelly begins exploring the woods that surround the home, she meets another young girl who looks eerily similar to herself, forging a friendship that helps her get over the recent loss.
French director Céline Sciamma has always been exceptionally talented at creating stories that tap into human connection and love, as seen in films like Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Even with its approach being more family-friendly, Petite Maman doesn’t hold back when it comes to the emotional weight and effectiveness of these inherent themes, telling a story of unconditional love and how people see themselves in their children.
Petite Maman
- Release Date
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June 2, 2021
- Runtime
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72 minutes
- Director
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Céline Sciamma
- Producers
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Bénédicte Couvreur
3
‘C’mon C’mon’
Directed by Mike Mills
Joaquin Phoenix‘s immediate performance after his Academy Award win for Joker, C’mon C’mon brings a completely different energy out of the actor, telling a story of self-reflection and care that doesn’t fail to bring up the waterworks. The film sees Phoenix as Johnny, a single radio journalist who begins to form a powerful bond with Jesse, his young nephew who struggles with bipolar disorder. The duo manage to get the most out of each other and learn lessons about the world as they travel together on a road trip away from Los Angeles.
The film utilizes a gorgeous black and white color scheme that serves to amplify and compound the film’s most emotional moments and core narrative. The film treats its subject matter with the utmost respect, allowing for great dialogue and dynamic between the sorrowful, pained Johnny and the fully innocent and excitable Jesse. While the film initially saw a great deal of critical acclaim and success during its initial release, following its complete snub and being overlooked during the awards circuit, the film sadly faded into obscurity compared to more prominent Phoenix blockbusters.
C’mon C’mon
- Release Date
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September 2, 2021
- Runtime
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108 minutes
- Director
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Mike Mills
- Writers
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Mike Mills
2
‘Annette’
Directed by Leos Carax
An absurdly over-the-top and hilarious dramatic musical that combines the talents of Leos Carax, director of Holy Motors, and cult classic British musician duo Sparks, Annette is a wild swing for the fences that quickly became one of 2021’s premiere hidden gems. The film follows the blossoming relationship between stand-up comedian Henry (Adam Driver) and international singer Ann (Marion Cotillard), who use their relationship to catapult their own respective notoriety and star power. Said influence is even more impactful after the duo have a child, Annette, who is born to be a star.
It’s all the small details and personality that are present throughout Annette that makes it such a joy to watch, whether it be the use of a physical wooden puppet to play Annette or the hilariously off musical performances. The film is brimming with personality and charm with every second, with Carax’s filmmaking techniques serving to only amplify the wild energy and flair of Sparks as a creative duo.
1
‘Mass’
Directed by Fran Kranz
One of the biggest tearjerker films of recent memory, as well as one that directly tackles the painful and uncomfortable grieving process that takes place after a school shooting, Mass is an achievement in grounded, emotionally charged filmmaking. The film follows a pair of married couples who both lost their children during a mass shooting, the parents of the shooter and the parents of a victim, meeting in a local church for a painful yet mandatory dialogue and conversation.
The style of reserved, close-quarters filmmaking that Mass employs is entirely reliant on its actors to find success, with Martha Plimpton, Jason Isaacs, Ann Dowd, and Reed Birney easily giving some of the best performances of 2021. The filmmaking brings maximum attention to the raw passion and pain in these performances, allowing them to speak for themselves and elevate the painful subject matter. In a just world, the film would have been nominated for a wide array of awards, although it was sadly overlooked despite its undeniable quality.
