The best movies and TV series of 2023 according to experts In other words, the film and TV critics of The New York Times
As every December, the New York Times has published the lists of the most appreciated films and TV series of the year, according to its main film and television critics. Regarding the big screen, Manohla Dargis and Alissa Wilkinson each selected ten films. Both journalists especially liked Killers of the Flower Moon by Martin Scorsese, Oppenheimer by Christopher Nolan, and Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troisgros. The latter is a documentary directed by Frederick Wiseman, presented out of competition at the last Venice Film Festival, and it narrates the dynasty of a French family of Michelin-starred chefs. In the selections of the three main TV critics of the Times – James Poniewozik, Mike Hale, and Margaret Lyons – some highly followed series in Italy are included, such as Succession, The Last of Us, and The Bear. Among the most appreciated but mostly known to the U.S. audience are South Side and Reservation Dogs, available on Disney+.
The Best Films of 2023
Regarding TV series, the three main TV critics at the Times did not each make a personal selection but divided the tasks: they chose the best series overall in 2023, the most beautiful ones that concluded this year, and the most interesting ones outside the United States. Among the various selected contents stands out Beef, available on Netflix. It has been defined as «a good story about people getting mad,» capable of portraying class differences and tensions between personalities from different countries. Three other series recommended by the Times and available in Italy are Jury Duty, Inseparables, and I'm a Virgin, all present in the Amazon Prime Video catalog. The first combines reality and comedy in an «innovative» way, according to critic James Poniewozik: a real person is summoned to be part of a fake jury, composed only of actors. The production successfully ensures that the protagonist remains unaware, resulting in a surprising outcome. Inseparables, on the other hand, is a psychological thriller, a well-executed adaptation of David Cronenberg's 1988 film. I'm a Virgin, finally, follows the adventures of a 13-year-old African American who is four meters tall, weaving «a politically and relentlessly entertaining tale that incorporated superhero mythology and anticapitalist critique,» writes the Times. Among the special mentions by the three critics are also Sex Education and I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson (praised for its humor), both available on Netflix.
