Every year there are bangers and blunders that get released. Whether streaming or theatrical, you simply can’t escape the spectrum of quality that gets released. While some would say that 2022 has been a rather meh year for movies, I would actually argue that it’s been a helluva year for cinema. Granted, the best films have been impossible to see and we’re in a strange “will they, won’t they” with box office success and numbers. Despite a lot of terrific films being released, there were also a lot of duds. Though the year isn’t quite over, I feel confident in saying that what’s left on the docket doesn’t come close to the worst films that have already been released. So, here are the 10 worst films we watched in 2022.
Quick Disclaimer: It really should need to be said, but every time one of these lists come out someone comes at me shocked that a movie they watched and hated didn’t make the cut. This list is only comprised of films that I’ve seen, and of course is just my opinion. Even the worst film has its fans, and you’re not wrong for loving something I hated. It’s all subjective, and I’m aware that my worst may be some of your best and that’s ok. That’s showbiz baby!
“Texas Chainsaw Massacre “
If there has been one genre that has excelled this year, it’s horror. So for “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” to be so terrible and void of all enjoyment is a statement that feels purposefully spiteful. Lacking any and all character development and likability, whatever the film was trying to get across thematically fails at just about every turn. While it’s not uncommon to root for gnarly kills, you should never find yourself siding entirely with the homicidal maniac. “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” seems to have forgotten this entirely, and all but begs its audience to say “Leatherface is right. Kill them all.” Everything about this new iteration felt off, and misses the mark at just about every turn. You can read my full review here.
“Moonfall“
I gotta be honest: I wanted to absolutely adore “Moonfall.” I saw it at a time when I needed some respite from the Festival binge. Something to turn on, tune in and drop out, shovel popcorn in mouth while I mindlessly watch things blow up. So despite what you make think, I went into “Moonfall” with the right level expectations and it still managed to be worse than the lowest bar I could set for it. It has a few moments, but they are so few and far between the absolutely nonsensical narrative it becomes almost impossible to enjoy. Listen, I was not here for high brow introspective character examination or powerful storytelling. But “Moonfall” doesn’t even manage to make sense within its own outlandish world building. I hated every second of this movie, and it absolutely deserves to be on the worst of list. You can read my full review here.
“Jurassic World: Dominion “
I just….I just don’t know why any film was ever made after “Jurassic Park.” I mean I get WHY, but studios were so concerned with whether or not they could they didn’t stop to think if they should. “Jurassic World: Dominion” is further proof that there was never a true franchise built into its original, and any iteration after is a misguided cash grab. “Dominion” is somehow WORSE than “Fallen Kingdom,” something I really didn’t think was possible. Somehow, they managed to make an entire film about blending both trilogies and/or franchises and their stars into a pointless film about….locusts and shady corporations? WHAT? Dinosaurs are like 3rd on the list of important narrative components, and there are so many subplots and side stories it is almost impossible to say that “Dominion” is a complete movie. I hated this one, guys. It’s really, really, REALLY bad. So bad I didn’t even bother giving it a full review. Wasted words.
“Where The Crawdads Sing “
It’s unfortunate for a young, up and coming talent like Daisy Edgar Jones to go from a breakout in “Fresh” to something so misguided as “Where the Crawdads Sing.” The film is a disjointed, awkwardly edited drama that clearly misses whatever made the source material so intriguing. And you don’t even have to have read the book to know that something is missing in this film adaption. Jones’ is doing her best, but “Where the Crawdads Sing” gives her very little in the way of a compelling character. It’s just a mess, one that never seems to come together in any meaningful or intelligent way, and its narrative is never clear nor executed with any kind of craft or sense. Not all books need to be movies, no matter how much money the written word generates.
“Morbius “
No, it’s not morbin’ time. And shame on you for pretending like “Morbius” was any good. It isn’t, and it’s ok to admit that “Morbius” is garbage. People walked out during my screening, and my own regret is that I didn’t join them. It’s just awful in every way. Incoherent, desperate for franchise potential without any initial world building, a rushed ending and clearly a whole different movie left on the cutting room floor. This was an awful movie going experience and I don’t want to write another word about it. You can read my full review here.
“Blonde“
Hands down one of the nastiest pieces of cinema I’ve seen all year, “Blonde” is a misguided, highly fictionalized biopic that feels intentionally spiteful and cruel at every turn. Sure, it looks fantastic, with the actual filmmaking visually being top tier cinematography and production design. You know I adore Ana De Armas, and she’s doing everything she can here. But Andrew Dominik is so hellbent on dehumanizing his subject that “Blonde” becomes an unbearable litmus test for tolerated exploitation. I’ve seen a lot of unsettling things on film, and nothing has made me more uncomfortable than what unfolds in “Blonde,” mainly because it is purposefully egregious retelling of a real person and feels like the director was personally attacked by Monroe herself in the afterlife. This was rough, full review here.
“The Munsters “
I’m not wasting another word on this dumpster fire. “The Munsters” might be THE worst movie of 2022 and Rob Zombie needs to retire from filmmaking indefinitely. I hated every second of this abysmal excuse for a film. Full review here.
“Uncharted “
I get it, video games are HUGE business and every industry wants a piece of that pie. But “Uncharted” is another example of how you can have the best laid plans and deliver a middling, barely watchable adaption. Even with the star power Tom Holland and Mark Walhberg, “Uncharted” can’t escape the trappings of unoriginality and an early 2000s execution. Though it isn’t the worst movie on the worst of list, even being able to see for free on Netflix felt like a worthless endeavor. I honestly couldn’t tell you a single thing that actually happens in “Uncharted,” and simply can’t escape the trappings that have plagued video game adaptions since their inception.
“The Gray Man “
It’s hard to include such a promising action flick. How does a film made by the Russo Brothers staring Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling go so horribly wrong? Well, “The Gray Man” is how. Yet another film I wanted to love, this one just never seemed to capitalize on its own potential. Convoluted and riddled with half baked spy cliches, “The Gray Man” never settles in long enough to be meaningful in any way, constantly shifting its focus and muddling its own world building. Even Chris Evans hamming it up at every chance he gets can’t seem to save this one, with “The Gray Man” proving that pretty people isn’t always enough to make a good movie. Full review here.
“Black Adam “
Not a typo. “Black Adam” is one of the worst movies of 2022. I don’t care what The Rock says it made (or didn’t make according to WB) or how many excuses you try to make for it. It’s bad, and now that Henry Cavill officially won’t be returning as Superman, your one argument of a 30 second post credit scene being the reason you won’t accept the rest of the movie was dog shit is now null and void. “Black Adam” is a 2003 superhero movie released in 2022, packed with silly, inexcusable 90s tropes and a PS3 CGI final boss battle completely out of left field. I love The Rock’s brand as much as the next person, and I’ve made my own excuses for some of his terrible outings, but “Black Adam” is inexcusably bad and deserves its spot on the worst of 2022 list. I will lick your fanboy tears like Cartman. “Black Adam” is bad. Deal with it. Full review here.
So, there you have it. Our 10 lowest-reviewed movies of 2022. There were definitely some other duds that could’ve easily made this list, but I feel good about these bad ones.
