Every year, it feels like a million and one new movies, shows, albums, podcasts, video games, books, and more come out, a crippling FOMO takes over as you try and figure out what you do and don’t want to watch/play/listen/read. To help alleviate some of that pressure,  I’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Looking back on all the notable movies, TV shows, and albums I listened to last year, I picked out my absolute favorites. 

Movie: Everything, Everywhere, All At Once

I don’t think it’s a particularly hot take to say that “Everything, Everywhere, All At Once” was the best movie that came out last year. This A24 sci-fi/family/romance/drama/comedy/basically anything else lives up to its name and so much more. It follows Evelyn Wang (played masterfully by Michelle Yeoh), a woman who operates a laundromat with her husband, Waymond (Ke Huy Quan). Evelyn is grappling with an IRS audit, a crumbling marriage, and accepting her gay daughter when she gets sucked into a multiversal conflict against a seemingly all-powerful being who wants to destroy everything (everywhere, all at once). Expertly balancing comedy, action, and a deep message about our place in the universe, paired perfectly with excellent writing and cinematography, EEAAO is hands down the best movie of 2022.

Honorable Mention: “Nope”–Jordan Peele’s third horror movie does not disappoint as a brother and sister (Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer) try to capture footage of the alien spacecraft stalking their rural horse ranch.

TV Show: Andor

I’m a massive nerd, and I understand just how cringey it might be to put a Star Wars show as what I think was the best show of the year, but…hear me out. “Andor,” based on premise alone, should not be as good as it is. It follows a supporting character from the prequel movie “Rogue One,” which came out in 2016. Unless you’re a dedicated Star Wars fan, you’re probably already lost, but none of that matters. “Andor” is one of the best written, acted, and produced shows I’ve seen all year. It builds nuanced characters, utilizes impressive writing, and is able to make a strong statement throughout it all. It made a point about the importance of rebellion in oppressive regimes, commentary on an abusive prison system, the merits or danger of violent resistance, and more–it always made me think. And at the same time, it’s fun. Political intrigue, heists, space battles, all of it. Star Wars fan or not, you should check out “Andor.”

Honorable Mention: “Bad Sisters”–this Apple TV exclusive follows five sisters. Four of the sisters try to kill the fifth’s terrible husband. Comedy ensues.

Album: RENAISSANCE

Beyonce. That’s it.

…

Just kidding. “RENAISSANCE” was the album of the summer, year, decade, century, millennia, and so on. Maybe that’s a little dramatic, but it was really good. The seventh studio album by Queen Bey herself, RENAISSANCE is the ultimate skipless album. Not only is every song incredible, but the album is designed in a way that each song flows into the next, creating a seamless listening experience. On top of this, genres of soul, house, R&B, rap, and pop are all effortlessly combined, and I never get tired of listening to it. It’s been out since July, and I’m still blown away every time I listen to it. (End of year listening stats never lie…RENAISSANCE was, by far, my most listened-to album).

Honorable Mention: “Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers” by Kendrick Lamar–the fifth studio album by rapper Kendrick Lamar, “Mr. Morale” contains excellent storytelling, lyricism, and overall production. •