20 Key Films from the Criterion Collection

      It's time to take a look at the Criterion Collection, a distribution company celebrated for reviving cult, classic, and world cinema. The art of film curation and preservation is an area where this company particularly excels. For the niche audience of cinephile collectors, Criterion possesses a pop culture significance that few can rival. Their Criterion Closet videos invite artists from various fields (mainly film) to sift through a small closet brimming with Criterion titles and select significant films that have greatly influenced them.

      If you’ve visited the few physical media stores that sell films, you might have noticed curated labels like Arrow, BFI, and Criterion, among others. Generally, the best labels acquire titles for their collections and provide excellent restorations and transfers. In Criterion's case, they often include a wealth of supplementary materials. This is reflected in their prices; Criterion tends to be pricier, but every now and then (sadly less frequently in the UK than the US), you might come across some deals. Their selections almost always feature outstanding cinema that is at the very least intriguing.

      Whether you prefer to watch these films on physical media or stream them (they now have a streaming channel), here are 20 films from the Criterion Collection that are a superb introduction to the label...

      **Cronos**

      Guillermo del Toro, an ardent cinephile, continuously advocates for the big screen experience, physical media, and film preservation while also studying cinema's history. Thus, we can't overlook recommending one of his noteworthy films that made the Criterion lineup. Cronos is del Toro’s breakout film, an impressively stylish and visually stunning low-budget vampire story that reflects his cinematic upbringing. Shot in Mexico, it features Ron Perlman during a notable phase of his career, as he appeared in non-US films like City of the Lost Children. While del Toro has honed his narrative skills since then, Cronos remains a beautifully grim and captivating film.

      **Following**

      Like del Toro, Nolan’s commitment to preservation and preference for shooting on film rather than digital (and practical effects over CGI whenever feasible) is quite rare. His first feature film, Following, is on Criterion, yet many Nolan fans have yet to see it. It’s a worthwhile watch because, despite its rough edges, it bears all the hallmarks of Nolan’s storytelling prowess. This film embodies a unique sense of paranoia that calls back to the cinema of the 60s and 70s, as a writer, obsessed with following people, faces unforeseen consequences. It’s also a film that can inspire budding filmmakers on how to create a movie on a shoestring budget.

      **Stalker**

      Andrei Tarkovsky's reflective sci-fi masterpiece is essential viewing for cinephiles aiming to break away from conventional narratives. At a leisurely pace, it gradually acclimatizes you to the dismal world presented, as you follow the Stalker (essentially a guide) and the two men he leads into ‘The Zone.’

      While the basic premise is simple, the film is rich with philosophical inquiries and ambiguity, taking its time to explore the textures and nuances of its environment. It has been analyzed extensively and is open to numerous interpretations; however, above all, Stalker is a film that prompts a personal journey. Even if it doesn’t resonate immediately, it leaves an impression that could draw you back for a second viewing (as it did for me).

      **Diabolique**

      I would be remiss to label this as merely Hitchcockian. The reality is that Henri-George Clouzot's film was so impactful that it influenced Hitchcock's own approach to mystery thrillers, elevating him further in the industry. Diabolique is a murder mystery charged with tension and paranoia as a wife and her husband's mistress conspire to kill him. As the wife starts to unravel under the weight of guilt, the body disappears, leading her to lose her grip on sanity. The buildup from the murder to the climactic resolution is expertly crafted, especially the iconic final horror scenes that are nerve-wracking. Vera Clouzot (the director's then-wife) delivers a remarkable performance, ably supported by Simone Signoret.

      **The Piano Teacher**

      No discussion of exceptional cinema selections would be complete without a mention of Isabelle Huppert or Michael Haneke. The Piano Teacher is a gripping psychological erotic thriller featuring Huppert as a brilliant yet emotionally scarred teacher who exudes a terrifying presence. A young pianist becomes captivated by her and she enjoys exerting control over him until a shift in their relationship occurs. The film is dark, intense, and peculiar, with every eccentricity of Huppert's character stemming from her complex relationship with her cruel yet fragile mother. As always, Huppert is astonishing—complex, alluring, and captivating.

      **Blow Out**

      Brian De Palma's outstanding thriller, reminiscent of Antonioni and Hitchcock, might be his crowning achievement. A sound technician out captures