Welcome to Film Friday’s special edition! Here’s a curated list of the top five films and of 2023. From mind-bending thrillers to heartwarming dramas, these captivating stories and performances have taken the industry by storm. Grab your popcorn and join us on this unforgettable journey through the best of 2023’s film.

Joy Ride

The SXSW premiere of “Joy Ride” marks a significant step in the summer’s mission to revive adult comedies at the box office. With studios eagerly anticipating the film’s success, they hope to reintroduce audiences to the delights of bawdy humor and reshape their preferences. Chris Lee (Vulture) expressed this sentiment in June, highlighting the film’s potential in reshaping consumer behavior.

Starring Stephanie Hsu, a Best Supporting Actress nominee for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “Joy Ride” had its highly regarded debut at the 2023 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival. The story revolves around Ashley Park’s character, a Korean-American adoptee, embarking on a journey through Asia with three friends (Sherry Cola, Sabrina Wu, and Hsu) to find her birth mother. Marisa Mirabal (IndieWire) commends “Joy Ride” as a groundbreaking example of progressive and raunchy comedy. The film’s portrayal of diverse narratives on the screen sets a golden standard for the industry, underscoring the need for more inclusive storytelling.

Biosphere

Two best friends (Sterling K. Brown and Mark Duplass) work together in a fallout shelter to ensure humanity’s survival after an apocalyptic event. Brown is always compelling on screen, and Duplass is an extremely interesting storyteller. The opportunity to watch them bounce off each other is definitely this lo-fi sci-fi comedy’s selling point, but it also boasts some great-looking production design and, according to Rachel West (That Shelf), a story that is “shockingly tender, funny, intelligent, and complex.”

The Lesson

In “The Lesson,” Daryl McCormack, a brilliant Oxford graduate, embarks on an intriguing journey. When he sets foot in the gloomy countryside estate of his literary idol, Richard E. Grant. However, what initially appears to be a simple meeting with a hero soon unravels into a mesmerizing tale of mystery. And deception lurking beneath the estate’s seemingly tranquil facade. Alongside the stellar performance of Julie Delpy, the film captivated audiences after receiving glowing reviews at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival. Caryn James from The Hollywood Reporter lauds it as “an exquisitely made chamber piece”. And “a small delight,” further cementing its allure for moviegoers as it hits theaters.

Theater Camp

Theater Camp is a 2023 mockumentary film about a group of theater kids at a summer camp. The film stars Ben Platt, Molly Gordon, Noah Galvin, Jimmy Tatro, Patti Harrison, Alan S. Kim, Ayo Edebiri, Nathan Lee Graham, and Amy Sedaris.

The film is directed by Tyler Lieberman and Molly Gordon, who co-wrote the screenplay with Platt. Lieberman and Gordon are both theater actors themselves, and their passion for the art form shines through in the film. Theater Camp is a love letter to theater. And it captures the joy, the heartbreak, and the sheer absurdity of being a theater kid.

The film is also very funny. The humor is sharp and often self-deprecating, and it never feels mean-spirited. The cast is all excellent, and they all bring their own unique brand of comedy to the film. Platt is particularly good as Amos, the camp’s resident theater nerd. Theater Camp is a delight from start to finish. It’s funny, heartwarming, and surprisingly insightful. If you’re a fan of theater, or if you just love a good comedy, then you’ll definitely want to check out Theater Camp.

Bibaho Bibhrat

The story of Ashok and Mala, who are compelled to wed because of unforeseen circumstances, is told in the movie. Family conflict emerges from Ashok’s father’s opposition to Mala being his daughter-in-law. After feeling abandoned by Ashok, Mala decides to take action to resolve the issue. And restore peace in her marriage and family life. The film’s intriguing content, which viewers find relatable to a variety of people, is praised by fans. The principal actors deliver outstanding performances, which add to the movie’s appeal. In conclusion, “Bibaho Bibhrat” depicts Mala’s struggles, including sorrowful times, terrifying circumstances, and even some lighter elements. The movie skillfully demonstrates the need for self-empowerment. And the value of standing up for oneself in challenging situations, as demonstrated by Mala’s journey. It’s a fantastic film that will engage the viewers right away and build an emotional connection with them. The film surely deserves to be watched.