As we approach the end of 2023, a realization dawns upon us: there is no awe-inspiring, culturally significant film left to grace our screens during the holiday season. The anticipation and excitement that used to accompany this time of year seems to have faded, leaving us with a sense of disappointment and longing for the bygone era of captivating cinema. While there may still be a handful of noteworthy releases on the horizon, the overall allure of the holiday movie season feels diminished.
On December 8th, Searchlight will release “Poor Things,” a film that boasts a complex narrative akin to “The Shape of Water” and features a potentially award-worthy performance by Emma Stone. Additionally, “The Holdovers” from Focus, “Napoleon” from Apple/Sony, and “Maestro” from Netflix will all have their wide releases in the coming days, offering a nostalgic character study, a period epic, and a musical biopic, respectively. Warner’s “The Color Purple” and Neon’s “Ferrari” are also slated to brighten our Christmas, catering to what was once referred to as the “once-a-year crowd.” Amazon MGM’s “American Fiction” will cater to the sophisticated viewers who crave a balance between laughter and tears. While these films make for a decent mix of entertainment, there is a distinct lack of explosive and groundbreaking offerings.
This shift in the holiday movie landscape is a stark contrast to previous years when audiences were treated to audacious and disruptive films that demanded attention and stood out from the crowd. Consider the impact of “Avatar,” released in 2009, which revolutionized the industry with its immersive technology and grand scale. Although it lost the Best Picture Oscar to “The Hurt Locker,” it left an indelible mark on cinema history. Similarly, “The Artist” in 2011 amazed viewers with its black and white, mostly silent presentation, accompanied by a charming canine companion named Uggie, and eventually won the coveted Best Picture award. These films were bold and refreshing, pulling audiences out of their comfort zones and redefining what the holiday movie season could be.
The holidays were once a time of unpredictability and excitement in the film industry. Paramount’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” in 2013 shocked audiences with its audacious and transgressive storytelling, though it ultimately lost the Best Picture award to “12 Years a Slave.” Warner’s “American Sniper” in 2014 stirred the nation’s conscience and became the highest-grossing film of the year, yet “Birdman” took home the top Oscar. These films dared to push boundaries, refusing to settle for safe narratives or familiar awards genres. They demanded the attention of viewers and injected a spirit of thrill and fun into the holiday season.
Sadly, the holidays have lost some of their cinematic magic in recent years. The advent of streaming platforms and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have reshaped the landscape of the movie industry. Studios, both large and small, have become more cautious, favoring less risky ventures and prioritizing commercial success over artistic experimentation. The once-exciting holiday season has become a time for safe bets, popcorn movies, and sequels that lack the same intensity and originality as their predecessors.
As we navigate through the current landscape of cinema, there is a collective longing for a resurgence of audacity and originality in holiday movies. We yearn for films that captivate our imaginations, challenge our perceptions, and remind us why we fell in love with the magic of the silver screen in the first place. Perhaps, in the years to come, we will witness a revival of the spirit that once made the holiday movie season the most thrilling time of the year for film enthusiasts. Until then, we can only hope that the industry rediscovers its passion for daring storytelling and rekindles the excitement that has been lost.