Year closing the door on 2022 brings a lineup that appeals to every taste. Overproduction often spills into the holidays, and in this edition Avatar: The Way of Water marks James Cameron’s return to one of his most beloved sagas. A sample of Spanish cinema from the second half of the year shines with titles like Suro, Fast Train 2, Venus, and Manticora. Audiences will see Antonio Banderas portray a mafia hitman in The Enforcer, uncover a journalistic investigation that challenged power in Exposed, and witness Tom Hanks in a notably sharp role in The Worst Neighbor in the World. The Rebel Empress offers a modern take on Sissi, while a biopic chronicles Whitney Houston in I Want to Dance with Someone.
Certainly
Shot predominantly around a Catalan farmhouse, the film marks a debut feature from a director based in San Sebastián. Mikel Gurrea studied Audio-Visual Communication at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona and earned a directing fellowship from the London Film School. The film explores ethical contrasts between city and rural life, class conflict, hidden violence, and evolving relationships. Two strong performances by Vicky Luengo and Pol López elevate the tension, making this one of the year’s standout entries in Spanish cinema. The project arrives as a memorable close to an ambitious year on screen.
2. Full Train 2: Yes, it happened to them again
Family comedies have defined a clear signal for Spanish cinema, delivering hits that cap a year of strong results. The premiere of Padre no hay más que uno 3 follows the second installment of A todo train, which follows a group of children on a long journey as they visit a parent. The ensemble navigates the chaos with warmth and humor. While Segura appears briefly as actor at the start and finish, the film places the weight of action on the women, with Paz Vega and Padilla stepping forward, and Inés de León directing, guiding a trio of leading characters through a lively, slightly chaotic adventure.
3. Rebel Empress
Following the path carved by Sofia Coppola in Marie Antoinette, Austrian director Marie Kreutzer offers a contemporary take on Empress Elisabeth, known popularly as Sissi. The film presents a feminist defense with a modern soundscape, blending palace settings with a youthfully charged sensibility. Actress Vicky Krieps anchors the project, bringing a poised presence as Queen Anne of Austria in a performance that threads glamour with critical introspection.
4. Venus
The opening title of the Sitges festival signals a bold foray into horror. Jaume Balagueró returns to the genre after an international thriller, charting a course from stark dread to a more kinetic experience. Ester casting leads as a resourceful young woman drawn into a web of mysteries around a Madrid suburb building. The film blends satanic elements, psychological unease, dark humor, and crime drama, while integrating ideas from Álex de la Iglesia’s Horror Collection project.
5. Protector (Implementer)
The shielded guardian archetype crops up repeatedly in modern cinema, from high octane thrillers to vigilante epics. Here Antonio Banderas steps into the role of a Miami mob hitman, tasked with rescuing a young woman entangled in a dangerous network. The backdrop is a world of cybercrime and exploitation, and the narrative centers on a redemption arc that mirrors recurring thriller motifs while offering fresh twists.
6. Manticore
Spanish cinema delivers a rich harvest this month with Carlos Vermut’s fourth feature. While Vermut keeps his fantastical edge, Manticore remains a tense, secretive, and psychologically charged story about a gifted young game programmer and his hidden impulses. The film, presented with Vermut’s signature visual precision and moral complexity, stars Nacho Saenz and Zoe Stein, who carry the emotional load as the story delves into difficult ethical territory.
7. Avatar: The Way of Water
More than a decade after Avatar transformed digital filmmaking, James Cameron returns with a sequel that expands the Pandora universe. The cast includes Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, and Kate Winslet, with a new addition joining the ensemble. The story follows Jake Sully as he fights beside the Na’vi against new threats, expanding a world that blends breathtaking visuals with immersive storytelling. Three additional sequels are in various stages of development through 2028.
8. I Want to Dance with Someone
The title song of Whitney Houston’s second album remains a cultural touchstone, and the biopic aims to capture the singer and actress’s formidable impact. Naomi Ackie embodies the star in a portrayal that spans career highs and personal struggles, supported by Stanley Tucci and production choices that reflect the era. The film revisits the arc of a voice that defined a generation, offering an intimate look at fame, resilience, and the challenges that followed.
9. On
Uncovered echoes the investigative drama of classic political thrillers while focusing on two women. The film presents the real-life reporting that exposed sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry, portrayed through the work of two New York Times reporters. The narrative emphasizes the craft of journalism and the perseverance required to bring hidden truths to light.
10. The Worst Neighbor in the World
A remake of a beloved Scandinavian title, this film places a grumpy neighbor at the center of a human comedy. Tom Hanks anchors the piece as a retiree who finds his routine disrupted when a lively family moves in next door. The story explores humor, memory, and the shifting dynamics of suburban life, under the direction of Marc Forster. The project traverses themes from nostalgic quiet to modern concerns about community and connection.