Every January, we look ahead at what the streaming giant’s lineup of films will look like and it seems as though it gets better with each passing year. In 2021, Netflix delivered awards players such as “The Power of the Dog,” “Passing,” “The Lost Daughter,” “Tick… Tick… Boom!” and “Don’t Look Up.” This year, we can look forward to new films by such esteemed directors as David Fincher, Noah Baumbach, Guillermo del Toro, Andrew Dominik, Richard Linklater, and Rian Johnson. Here are our 20 most anticipated Netflix features for 2022:
“The Killer” (David Fincher)
Two years into his massive money four-year deal at Netflix, Fincher returns with his second film for the streamer. Re-teaming with “Se7en” writer Andrew Kevin Walker, for a brutal, bloody noir story of a professional assassin lost in a world without a moral compass. Michael Fassbender and Tilda Swinton are attached to star. Production is said to have begun in November 2021, so we might expect a very late 2022 release.
“White Noise” (Noah Baumbach)
Like Fincher, Noah Baumbach also seems pretty settled at Netflix, and he’s set to follow up the terrific “Marriage Story” with this drama/mystery following Jack Gladney, a professor who’s made his name by pioneering the field of Hitler studies. Sounds extremely Baumbach, and the eccentric director is re-teaming with Adam Driver for the film. Driver is joined by Raffey Cassidy, Jodie Turner- Smith, and Don Cheadle to name but a few.
“Pinocchio” (Guillermo del Toro)
This year will see the battle of the Pinocchio’s, as Netflix’s Del Toro directed, star-studded effort will go up against Disney’s latest live-action remake. Del Toro’s no doubt darker, more atmospheric take will be led by the likes of Cate Blanchett, Ron Perlman, Christoph Waltz, Tilda Swinton, and Ewan McGregor.
“Blonde” (Andrew Dominik)
Originally slated for late last year, rumours of uncertainty at Netflix on the rating of Andrew Dominik’s fictional chronicle of the inner life of Marilyn Monroe, led to the push-back of a film many tipped to be an awards player. And with Ana De Armasin the lead role, this would certainly be high on many peoples most anticipated of the year.
“Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Adventure” (Richard Linklater)
Richard Linklater steps back behind the camera for a coming of age story centred around the historic Apollo 11 Moon Landing. The film is said to be from two points of view, the astronauts, and a child transfixed with the space exploration. Jack Black re-unites with Linklater, along with Glen Powell, and Zachary Levi.
“Rebel Ridge” (Jeremy Saulnier)
Jeremy Saulnier “Green Room” looks set to bring us an exciting, high-velocity thriller, said to explore systemic American injustices. Not much else is known, other than the film stars AnnaSophia Robb, James Cromwell, and Don Johnson.
“Knives Out 2” (Rian Johnson)
For me one of the most anticipated of the year full stop. Netflix forked out a huge amount to tie down writer/director Rian Johnson for two sequels to his lightning fast, sharp, and brilliant “Knives Out”. This next installment will see Daniel Craig’s “Benoit Blanc” head to Greece, where he will encounter yet another mystery laid out for him by a stellar cast. Jessica Henwick, Kathryn Hahn, Dave Bautista, Ethan Hawke, Edward Norton, Kate Hudson, Leslie Odom Jr, and Janelle Monáe should all add a huge amount of charisma and charm to what is sure to be another fantastic Johnson script.
“The Gray Man” (Joe and Anthony Russo)
The Russo brothers return to the action genre for the first time since “Avengers: Endgame”, with no doubt Netflix’s most expensive film to date, as they look for a green-banner action franchise. And they’ve clearly spared no expense on talent, with Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling leading this thriller following a CIA agent turned assassin looking to evade mysterious forces. Ana De Armas, Jesssic Henwick, Billy Bob Thornton, AlfreWoodard, Regé- Jean Page, and Wagner Moura lead a very exciting supporting cast. A huge swing for the streaming giant.
“The Pale Blue Eye” (Scott Cooper)
Cooper’s new thriller tells the story of a weathered detective’s unlikely partnership with a detail-orientated young cadet (Harry Melling) who would go on to become world famous author Edgar Allen Poe. Christian Bale stars as the veteran detective. Cooper has been hit miss his whole career, but something tells us this one could be a keeper.
“Wendell and Wild” (Henry Selick)
“Coraline” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” director Selick, teams up with Jordan Peele and Keegan- Michael Key for this animation following two scheming demon brothers, who face-off against their arch nemesis. Sounds right up Selick’s alley and it feels great to have the animation wizard back in the game after nearly 13 years off.
“The Wonder” (Sebastián Lelio)
A tale of two strangers who transform each other’s lives. Fronted by the ever-brilliant Florence Pugh and Niamh Algar, Lelio’s mysterious thriller pits love against evil. Ciarán Hinds, a sure-fire upcoming Oscar nominee for “Belfast,” and Toby Jones also star. Lelio, an underrated filmmaker, is coming off a successful arthouse venture remaking his “Gloria” with Julianne Moore in 2019, it’ll be great to see him back making original stories again.
“Rustin” (George C. Wolfe)
The sensational Colman Domingo stars here as Bayar Rustin, the late civil rights activist who helped organise the 1963 march on Washington, where Martin Luther King made his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Domingo is supported by Jeffrey Wright, Aml Ameen, CCH Pounder, Bill Irwin, Chris Rock and more. The film is actually produced by Higher Ground Productions, run by Barack and Michelle Obama. George C. Wolfe follows up his Oscar-nominated “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” with another potential awards contender.
“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (David Blue Garcia)
Following the success of the “Halloween” sequel/reboot-quel, Netflix are trying their hand at the beginnings of a new/old horror franchise, as Leatherface returns 50 years after his original killing spree to terrorize a group of idealistic young friends who accidentally disrupt his carefully shielded world in a remote Texas town. Elsie Fisher (“Eighth Grade”) stars.
“The Adam Project” (Shawn Levy)
Ryan Reynolds, yeah we know, reunites with his “Free Guy” director Shawn Levy for this time travelling sci-fi adventure, starring Zoe Saldana, Jennifer Garner, and Mark Ruffalo. It’s not high art, but it could be one of those very entertaining, highly-watched films Netflix is so well-known to churn out year in and year out.
“Spaceman” (Johan Renck)
Orphaned as a boy and raised in the Czech countryside, Jakub Procházka (Adam Sandler) overcomes the odds to become the country’s first astronaut. Carey Mulligan, Paul Dano, Kunal Nayyar star alongside Sandler. This could technically be another successful venture for Sandler in serious drama, especially with the cast amassed for this film … or it could be “The Cobbler.” Consider is still intrigued.
“Slumberland” (Francis Lawrence)
Director of three of the four “Hunger Games” movies, Francis Lawrence brings a tale of fantasy and adventure to the small screen with this story of a young girl searching for her father in a mystical dreamland with the help of a large half-man/half-monster creature. Jason Mamoa, Kyle Chandler, and Chris O’Dowd star. Lawrence is coming off the box-office stinker “Red Sparrow,” but he’s a more-than-decent filmmaker who has surprised us with solid films in the past.
“A Jazzman’s Blues” (Tyler Perry)
Tyler Perry steps behind the camera for this drama following an investigation into an unsolved murder, unveiling a story of forbidden love, deceit, and secrets.
“The Swimmers” (Sally El Hosaini)
The remarkable story of the miraculous journey made by swimming sisters Yusra and Sarah Mardini, who fled as refugees from war-torn Syria all the way to the 2016 Rio Olympic games. We’re hearing great things about this film and the story itself, during an Olympic year, no less, might resonate with many viewers looking for feel-good fare in a world lacking in it.
“All Quiet on the Western Front” (Edward Berger)
Daniel Brühl stars in a remake of the 1930, and 1979 tale of a young German soldier’s terrifying experiences and distress on the western front during the first World War. Yes, the original is a classic and, yes, we didn’t really need a remake of it, but isn’t that what we also said about Spielberg’s “West Side Story”? Look at how that one turned out. Contribute Hire me
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