Close-Up Culture name our 10 most underrated films of the last decade.
10. Güeros (2015)
Güeros is a tender film with striking filmmaking choices and understated performances. Alonso Ruizpalacios’ film was worthy of more acclaim outside of Mexico.
9. Second Mother (2015)
Anna Muylaert’s film brilliantly probes at class differences in Brazil. A less stylised, but no less potent, partner to Oscar winner Roma.
8. Interstellar (2014)
Christopher Nolan’s film deserves more than its 72% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 rating on Metacritc. Interstellar’s emotional beats are as strong and memorable as any other films from the decade.
7. Somewhere (2010)
There are many beautiful moments in Sofia Coppola’s delicate and pensive film, including one we named in our best scenes of the decade. Somewhere also features a wonderful performance from Elle Fanning, the star of another film that could have easily made this list – The Neon Demon.
6. Prisoners (2013)
Director Denis Villeneuve had a tremendous decade with the releases of Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival. But Prisoners (and Incendies (2011), for that matter) should not be forgotten. This brilliant thriller features bruising lead performances from Jake Gyllenhaal and Hugh Jackman.
5. Spring Breakers (2012)
I once overheard a critic boast about walking out of Spring Breakers after its ‘obnoxious and sexist’ opening sequence. I, however, have a far more complimentary and in-depth reading of Harmony Korine’s film. There’s lots of interesting things going on (subversive casting, striking filmmaking choices, challenging themes, etc.) if you stick around to look for them. I’d put Assassination Nation (2018) – another in-your-face piece of filmmaking – in the same category.
4. Holiday (2018)
Isabella Eklöf’s provocative and arresting film tells the troubling story of Sascha (played by the outstanding Victoria Carmen Sonne), a young woman who is the trophy girlfriend of a Danish gangster.
3. Midsommar (2019)
Midsommar is worthy of more than its 7.1 IMDB and 72 Metacritic ratings. In fact, I’d go as far as to say it should have received an Oscar nomination. Florence Pugh’s central performance is exceptional and Ari Aster is a master of slow sizzle horror.
2. Nocturnal Animals (2016)
Nocturnal Animals contains soul stripping moments and devastating performances. A film that will never leave you.
- American Honey (2016)
American Honey is the younger version of Oscar winner Nomadland. A beautiful and thoughtful film that should have received a plethora of Oscar nominations.