18 Remarkable 21st Century Movies You Might Have Overlooked

      Staying within the bounds of this century, here are 18 remarkable films from the 21st century that you might have overlooked…

      Recently, The New York Times conducted an opinion poll involving 500 industry professionals and its readers to create a list of the 100 best films of the 21st century. The list includes several films that made a significant impact on public consciousness, including various major Oscar winners. “Parasite” topped the rankings for both the professionals and the general audience. Following it was “Mulholland Drive,” which appeared on both lists, though some differences emerged, alongside multiple films in common. Not surprisingly, all these titles are well-known.

      Among cinephiles of a certain age, there's a prevailing sentiment: movies aren't made like they were before. If “Parasite” is indeed the pinnacle of 21st-century cinema, where does it stand in the larger cinematic landscape? Even Bong Joon-ho would admit it’s not “Citizen Kane.” Yet, among some elitist millennial (and older) film enthusiasts, the notion that the 21st century lacks quality cinema is also a fallacy. A list of populist top 100 films can help affirm that idea (including a few rarer gems), but here at Flickering Myth, we’ll delve deeper. Here are 18 exceptional films from the 21st century that you might have missed.

      **Super Happy Forever**

      Let's kick off with a film just hitting streaming platforms now (on Mubi). This intricate, contemplative drama is a remarkable work by Kohai Igarashi. Presented in two halves, it starts with Sano (Hiroki Sano) and a friend visiting the picturesque holiday destination where he met his recently deceased wife, Nagi (Nairu Yamanoto), five years earlier. Overcome by grief, Sano struggles to find connections to the past, from a long-lost red cap to a song Nagi adored, leading to self-destructive behavior that alienates his friend.

      The film then flips back to Sano's fortuitous encounter with his future wife and their initial days together, showcasing a more optimistic Sano along with the charmingly whimsical Nagi. Igarashi elegantly presents ambiguous moments of significance to Sano, which become clearer to us as the past is revealed, yet he maintains an air of mystery. It’s a low-key film, superbly acted, with simple yet stunning cinematography.

      **Loveless**

      Kicking off with a boy's disappearance set against the backdrop of his parents' deteriorating marriage, “Loveless” keeps you in suspense, hinting at a grim fate. This film adeptly captures the flaws and selfishness inherent in humanity while still evoking sympathy. It flirts with the missing person's thriller genre but transitions into an intense character study.

      The film is raw, impactful, and beautifully shot, with every frame being a visual treat. Andrey Zvyagintsev’s masterful direction is complemented by powerful performances from Maryana Spivek and Aleksey Rozin, who portray the repressive and self-absorbed parents failing to take responsibility for their actions. This film will linger in your mind, delivering a staggering emotional blow.

      **A Fantastic Woman**

      Sebastian Lelio's praised drama straddles the thriller genre, instilling a sense of discomfort. An older married man has an affair with a trans woman (Daniela Vega). After suffering a heart attack during one of their meetings and passing away, Marina must navigate the aftermath as she faces exclusion from mourning and societal suspicion. From subtle micro-aggressions to real physical threats to her life, she must cope with both the loss of the man she loved and societal rejection. Vega’s performance is remarkable, and Lelio showcases his expertise behind the camera.

      **There’s a Girl at My Door**

      After leaving her previous precinct under troubled circumstances, Detective Young-nam (Doona Bae) takes a job in a remote Korean seaside village. Her sexuality constantly comes under scrutiny, having previously led to misconduct allegations. Matters become more complicated when a local young girl, believed to be abused by her parents, seeks refuge with Young-nam. As gossip spreads and her sexuality becomes widely known, her relationship with the girl leads to sinister accusations while she naively oversteps her duties.

      Before long, Young-nam finds herself ostracized and must prove her innocence while protectively standing by the troubled girl. July Jung’s film tackles a challenging subject matter with confidence, and Bae delivers an outstanding performance. It certainly took too long for Jung to release a follow-up after such a confident debut.

      **Burning**

      Lee Chang-dong's “Burning,” released a year before “Parasite,” did not generate the same buzz despite similar critical praise. This film is a masterclass in constructing a layered, ambiguous narrative rich with subtext. It features a mysterious disappearance and a potentially sociopathic character in