Denis Villeneuve Movies Ranked

Pretty much one of today’s go-to directors for quality work.  His frequent collaborating with Jόhann Jόhannson and Roger Deakins helps.  Hopefully he’ll bring a lot of Jodorowsky’s ideas to screen in the upcoming Dune adaptation. 

5. Prisoners

2013

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I’m not a big fan of child abduction movies, but it was halfway decent and had some good twists.  Unfortunately, too many of the characters do stupid things.  I would have really liked Det. Loki a lot more if he wasn’t one of them.  His character could have made this a much better movie had he been the cop whose by-the-rules approach contrasted positively with Keller’s lawless methods; this could have been a theme.  Plus, some questionable break-ins committed by Loki discredit that premise because they worked.

 

4. Sicario

2015

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Well-made, but one of those movies that mistakes cynicism for insight.  I mostly give it credit for the excellent score by Jόhann Jόhannsson.

 

3. Arrival

2016

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A smart movie about first contact, but I would hesitate to call it great.  I’m not sure why learning an inefficient form of writing would enable you to see into the future.

2. Blade Runner 2049

2017

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The movie is a visual masterpiece that’s definitely worth a trip to the theatre.  The score also helps with the atmosphere.  My main problem is how it spoils the ambiguous ending of the original; it would have been better if it was a different story without Deckard & Co.  Also, K’s relationship with Joi was an idea done better in Her.  At least Joaquin Phoenix’s character drew the line at sex through a surrogate.  Still, this is my favorite of Villeneuve’s movies, even if it’s not the best.

1. Enemy

2013

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A great, atmospheric mindscrew about the duality of Man and (possibly?) his fear/exploitation of Woman.

 PROGRESSION

Average: 7.2