Best Drama Movies 2022

Critics Consensus: A tough but rewarding watch, Happening puts a personal face on an impossibly difficult choice and its heart-rending aftermath.

Synopsis: France, 1963. Anne is a bright young student with a promising future ahead of her. But when she falls pregnant, she sees the opportunity to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Anamaria Vartolomei, Kacey Mottet Klein, Luàna Bajrami, Louise Orry-Diquéro

Directed By: Audrey Diwan

Critics Consensus: Till reframes an historically horrific murder within a mother's grief, brought heartwrenchingly to life by Danielle Deadwyler's tremendous performance.

Synopsis: Till is a profoundly emotional and cinematic film about the true story of Mamie Till Mobley's relentless pursuit of justice for her 14 year old... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Danielle Deadwyler, Jalyn Hall, Frankie Faison, Haley Bennett

Directed By: Chinonye Chukwu

Critics Consensus: Led by Frankie Corio's tremendous performance, Aftersun deftly ushers audiences to the intersection between our memories of loved ones and who they really are.

Synopsis: At a fading vacation resort, 11-year-old Sophie treasures rare time together with her loving and idealistic father, Calum (Paul Mescal). As a world of adolescence... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Paul Mescal, Frankie Corio, Celia Rowlson-Hall, Kayleigh Coleman

Directed By: Charlotte Wells

Critics Consensus: No Bears bears witness to Jafar Panahi's incisive filmmaking while urging viewers to examine the complex layers of a deceptively simple story: a man oppressed and suppressed by his country.

Synopsis: NO BEARS portrays two parallel love stories. In both, the lovers are troubled by hidden, inevitable obstacles, the force of superstition and the mechanics of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jafar Panahi, Naser Hashemi, Vahid Mobaseri, Bakhtiar Panjei

Directed By: Jafar Panahi

Critics Consensus: Sensitively written and beautifully acted, Girl Picture captures the whirlwind of teenage emotions without sacrificing narrative maturity and depth.

Synopsis: Best friends Mimmi and Rönkkö work after school at a food court smoothie kiosk, frankly swapping stories of their frustrations and expectations regarding love and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Aamu Milonoff, Linnea Leino, Sonya Lindfors, Cécile Orblin

Directed By: Alli Haapasalo

Critics Consensus: Led by a luminous Lesley Manville, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is a good old-fashioned story charmingly told.

Synopsis: In partnership with the House of Dior, MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS tells the story of a widowed cleaning lady in 1950s London who falls... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Lesley Manville, Isabelle Huppert, Jason Isaacs, Anna Chancellor

Directed By: Anthony Fabian

Critics Consensus: Justice is served in Argentina 1985, a crusading courtroom drama that shines a light on historically somber times with refreshing levity.

Synopsis: Argentina, 1985 is a feature inspired by the true story of Julio Strassera, Luis Moreno Ocampo and their young legal team of unlikely heroes in... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ricardo Darín, Juan Pedro Lanzani, Alejandra Flechner, Laura Paredes

Directed By: Santiago Mitre

Critics Consensus: To Leslie's familiar framework is granted extra depth through a stellar Andrea Riseborough and a sensitive and nuanced approach to the cycle of addiction.

Synopsis: Leslie (Andrea Riseborough) is a West Texas single mother struggling to provide for her son (Owen Teague) when she wins the lottery and a chance... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Allison Janney, Andrea Riseborough, Marc Maron, Stephen Root

Directed By: Michael Morris

Critics Consensus: Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom is a simple story with a big heart -- and a reminder of film's ability to communicate universal truths across international borders.

Synopsis: An aspiring singer living with his grandmother in the capital of Bhutan dreams of getting a visa to relocate to Australia.

Starring: Sherab Dorji, Ugyen Norbu Lhendup, Kelden Lhamo Gurung, Sangay Lham

Directed By: Pawo Choyning Dorji

Critics Consensus: Led by the soaring melody of Cate Blanchett's note-perfect performance, Tár riffs brilliantly on the discordant side of fame-fueled power.

Synopsis: From writer-producer-director Todd Field comes TÁR, starring Cate Blanchett as Lydia Tár, the groundbreaking conductor of a major German Orchestra. We meet Tár at the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Noémie Merlant, Nina Hoss, Sophie Kauer

Directed By: Todd Field