Film criticism is a delicate form of artistic analysis. It demands that critics have an extensive knowledge of cinematic history and filmmaking techniques that they can apply to new releases to examine the quality of their production and the value of their stories. It should serve as an insight into films that allows moviegoers to determine what is worth seeing at the movies and what is best left until it comes to streaming. And yet, there have been hundreds of times when critics have gotten it completely wrong.
Ranging from sci-fi epics to life-affirming dramas, post-apocalyptic thrillers, and even masterful mystery enigmas,these 2010s titles prove that even the experts can make misjudgments. While the critical derision these films faced led not only to apprehensive viewers but often to box office failure as well, it is some small mercy that, at the very least, each of these movies has begun to gain more admiration in the years since they came out.
10’The Accountant' (2016)
Directed by Gavin O’Connor
Following an autistic accountant who also possesses a more combative skillset that he is willing to outsource to criminals and companies in need of “auditing,”The Accountantis arazor-sharp and methodical action thrillerthat coasts onBen Affleck’s perfectly understated performance and its enthralling web of duplicity and mounting stakes. Sadly, critics at the time of release were unimpressed with its scattershot storytelling and the minutiae of its plot progression, to the point that they largely overlooked Affleck’s impactful performance and the film’s unique perspective on action cinema.
It is a small mercy that the critical derision didn’t have a debilitating effect onThe Accountant’s financial performance, with the film still able to gross$155.6 millionagainst a modest production budget of $44 million. This impressive intake, combined with the growing fanfare surrounding the film in the ensuing years, sawThe Accountant 2released in cinemas earlier this year, withthe action-packed sequel faring much betterwith critics.
The Accountant
9’The Neon Demon' (2016)
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
After starting the decade in fine form with 2011’s neo-noir crime cult classicDrive, enigmatic stylistNicolas Winding Refnwent on to have something of a critically berated run of misunderstood movies. While 2013’sOnly God Forgivesdoes stumble in its intentions and delivery,The Neon Demonexcels as a haunting parable of the modeling industry. It follows Jesse (Elle Fanning), a teenage girl who makes an immediate impact on L.A.’s modeling scene, only to garner the envious vitriol of her rivals and the seedy obsessions of a motel manager and a photographer.
In true Winding Refn fashion,The Neon Demonis a visually spectacular movie, showcasing the lavish vibrancy and seedy seduction of the modeling industry with an enrapturing style, but critics took issue with its plotting and characters. While there are some shortcomings in this regard, the film feels as though it is intended to run as a twisted fairy tale more so than a dark drama, a blitzing and confrontingcaricature of stardom and perceived beautythat illustrates thesavage and competitive nature of humanityin graphic and gorgeous detail. In this pursuit,The Neon Demonis an impressionable, impactful masterpiece that is not soon forgotten.
The Neon Demon
8’As Above, So Below' (2014)
Directed by John Erick Dowdle
With the rampant popularity and commercial success of 1999’sThe Blair Witch Project, found-footage cinema—particularly horror—became one of the defining trends of the early 2000s. One of the best movies of the craze comes in the form of the criminally underratedAs Above, So Below. This intriguing horror-adventure movie combines the thrill of movies likeIndiana Joneswith a sense of claustrophobic dread as itfollows its characters through Paris’ underground catacombs.
Directed byJohn Erick Dowdle, who is also responsible for 2007’s found footage horrorThe Poughkeepsie Tapes, 2014’sAs Above, So Belowis ultimatelya victim of bad timing. It is an impressive experiment in found footage chills that was released as the subgenre was truly growing exhausting, with ongoing titles likeParanormal Activityseeing the gimmick grow tiresome. It finds a strength in embracing its B-movie appeal, however,offering suspense and jolts consistentlyto serve as a hastily discarded gem of low-budget horror that critics should have been more mindful of.
As Above, So Below
7’The Book of Eli' (2010)
Directed by Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes
Given that apocalyptic dystopias filled with the festering remnants of humanity were something of a trend in the early 2010s, it is quite surprising thatThe Book of Eliwasn’t met with greater approval from critics and moviegoers alike. Set in a world ruined by war decades prior, it transpires as the lone warrior Eli (Denzel Washington) journeys across the wasteland carrying hope for humanity’s future. Confronted by the opportunistic and conniving Carnegie (Gary Oldman), Eli must fight to protect his cargo and see it safely delivered to its destination.
With its desolate atmosphere, biblical undertones, and an assembly of striking performances,The Book of Eliis a compelling gem of post-apocalyptic actionrife with themes of human morality and faith. Further complemented by engaging combat sequences that excel with the film’s taste of bloody violence,The Book of Elipacks an impressive punch asan action extravaganza with a thematic agenda. However, critics were perhaps too demanding of its narrative,overlooking its genre flair and disregarding itas an overly dour end-of-the-world drama that wasted the talents of its cast.
The Book of Eli
6’The Bling Ring' (2013)
Directed by Sofia Coppola
An A24 film from before that distinguishing quality meant something to the masses,The Bling Ringis a biographical commentary on celebrity obsession and status that somehow stands asSofia Coppola’s lowest-rated film. While critics at the time may have dismissed it as a vehicle forEmma Watsonto expand her acting career beyond theHarry Potterfilms, the lavish crime drama follows a group of Californian teenagers who take to breaking into the homes of celebrity personalities to experience the luxury and prestige of their lifestyles.
Despite itstimeless focus on class, enticing display, and the effective performances of its cast,The Bling Ringwas initially criticized for its cyclical story, lack of a set moral viewpoint, and a thematic core that was deemed to lack depth. However, asa critique of the obnoxious nature of internet cultureand the way it has amplified social obsessions with fame and status,The Bling Ringis a masterful examination that, with the onset of internet personalities and influencer culture, arguablyrings even more true today than it did in 2013.
The Bling Ring
5’TRON: Legacy' (2010)
Directed by Joseph Kosinski
While it is flawed in terms of its narrative,TRON: Legacyexcels as one ofthe most visually astonishing and stunning sci-fi films of all time. It delivers a spectacle that is nothing short of enchanting with its neon blues and oranges penetrating its sparse, bleak blackness, especially during the beautifully immersive lightbike sequence. However, despite flaunting such a striking display,Tron: Legacyreceived overwhelming derision from critics, who lambasted it as an unfeeling and lifeless picture.
Granted, there is truth to claims that the film’s characters are underdeveloped and its story is inconsistent, but the same can be said of a great many sci-fi films that have come to be revered as genre-defining classics for the might of their presentation and atmospheric allure. The fact thatTRON: Legacywasn’t viewed in the same light initially is nothing short of an oversight from critics who, given the similar appeal of 1982’sTron, perhaps should have been better prepared for what kind of experience the film was going to offer.
TRON: Legacy
4’John Carter' (2012)
Directed by Andrew Stanton
Famous for beingthe biggest box office bomb in cinematic history,John Carterwas presented as an epic introduction to a trilogy that would define blockbuster fantasy/sci-fi for years to come. That didn’t transpire, and a significant reason has to be the critical panning the film received, which was, in many ways, unwarranted. It seemsJohn Carterdoesn’t actually exhibit any pitfalls that aren’t apparent in other major, franchise-launching releases Hollywood has seen in the years since.
Now, the story of John Carter’s (Taylor Kitsch) teleportation to Mars, where he becomes embroiled in an intergalactic war, has some plot holes and shortcomings. However, it excels as a mesmerizing visual spectacle that deliversthrills and grandeur in a rewarding fashionwhile also establishing likable characters amid a complex, multi-world narrative setting. It is easy to see how, had more installments been released,John Cartercould have been heralded as an instrumental classic, a dazzling marriage of genre focus and blockbuster scale. Unfortunately, it was overly criticized upon release and became such a financial disaster that Disney permanently shelved any possibility of continuing the story.
John Carter
3’The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' (2015)
Directed by Guy Ritchie
Despite the fact that many today now recognize it as being a beacon of fun-filled action bombast,The Man from U.N.C.L.E.originally premiered to mixed reviews at best, with the majority of critics deriding its style-over-substance approach as a pitfall that undermines the technical craft of its exciting spectacle.Such reviews did, unfortunately, contribute to theGuy Ritchiefilm flopping at the box office, with its intake of $110 million unable to cover the film’s production and marketing costs.
The silver lining is that the movie hasbecome a cherished cult classic. Based on the ‘60s spy show of the same name, it follows the unlikely partnership between a CIA operative and a KGB spy who unite to combat a maniacal criminal organization striving to develop a nuclear arsenal. It’sstylish, fun, and breezy,offering smooth and suave entertainmentthat cements it as a hidden gem of pure action joy that many have come to celebrate as one of the better movies of the 2010s.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
2’Under the Silver Lake' (2018)
Directed by David Robert Mitchell
Despite flaunting a brilliant cast and an enrapturing mystery,Under the Silver Lakewas panned by critics as a vibrant and involving visual display that stumbles with its pacing and its overly elaborate plotting. Many would argue that its measured tempo and complexity are two of the film’s greatest strengths. The enigmatic moviefollows a remarkableAndrew Garfieldand his quest to unearth de mystery of a missing woman, which sees him embroil himself in the darkest depths of secrecy and scandal in Los Angeles.
Within its atmospheric gravitas, it progresses with a meandering yet menacing foreboding,a hypnotic neo-noir darknessthat occasionally breaks for moments ofblack comedy and entrancing surrealism, only to delve back into the sinister tone. Bolstered by its array of great performances and its breathtaking imagery that both mystifies and immerses,Under the Silver Lakeis not only a critically misunderstood masterpiece of modern mystery, but a future cult classic of enigmatic crime intrigue.
Under the Silver Lake
1’The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' (2013)
Directed by Ben Stiller
To think thatThe Secret Life of Walter Mittywas, of all things, criticized for having a lack of substance is not only a complete oversight from film critics, but an absurd misunderstanding of the film’s greatness and mastery.Directed by and starringBen Stiller, it follows meek daydreamer Walter Mitty as his uneventful life and fantasizing and social avoidance receive an inspired jolt when a work mishap forces him to leave his secluded office and venture into the world. As his imagined life of romance and excitement begins to transpire in reality, Walter finds himself realizing a courage and curiosity he never knew he had.
Complemented by gorgeous visuals and a wonderful sense of ambition,The Secret Life of Walter Mittyisa life-affirming celebration of self-discovery and adventurethat also flaunts a heartfelt central romance and a beautifully realized message of the essence of life. The fact that critics were so eager to deride the film for its fantastical presentation and its supposed lack of substance is as disheartening as it is disgraceful. Now,The Secret Life of Walter Mittyis enshrined amongthe most underrated and touching movies of its decade.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
NEXT:10 2010s Movies You’ve Probably Never Heard of But Must Absolutely Watch
