There were some great sci-fi movies in 2022 that raised questions concerning existential beings and other forms of life, as well as multiverses that draw the line between reality and the imaginary. The best sci-fi features this year also had complex characters who go through personal and emotional dilemmas, from family bonds to various forms of traditions and rituals.
Concepts surrounding hunting, man versus nature, and interactions between dangerous and intriguing creatures, are also evident in these films. There are some beautiful images and elaborate battle sequences that are well-shot and choreographed, proving that sci-fi epics can still rival the action and superhero genres. Here are the best sci-fi movie moments of 2022.
Avatar: The Way of Water – Jake Sully and Neytiri Fight Quaritch
James Cameron's long-awaited sequel to Avatar has arrived with even more exhilarating action sequences. The film further explores the world of Pandora, especially by sea and the people of Metkayina. Jake Sully and Neytiri return and are now married with sons and daughters. Despite their efforts to live in harmony, Colonel Miles Quaritch (who was killed by Neytiri in the first film) is resurrected as an avatar and leads his old crew (also brought back as avatars) back to Pandora to get their revenge on Sully and destroy his family.
Late in the last hour of the film, Jake and Neytiri battle (using automatic weapons and bows and arrows) to take down Quaritch's army in order to save their children who are taken hostage. Neytiri manages to make the Colonel flinch by threatening to kill his son Spider, bringing out some sentimental qualities in the villain. This leads to an epic one-on-one fight between Jake and Quaritch, renewing their rivalry that started at the end of the first film, as well as depicting the essential family bonds formed in this feature.
Crimes of the Future – Saul Tenser and Caprice Perform Autopsy
Acclaimed director David Cronenberg returns to the sci-fi and horror genres with Crimes of the Future, an odd, gross, and captivating picture that depicts a future in which people perform surgeries on each other to display artistic value and gain sexual pleasure. Viggo Mortensen (in his fourth Cronenberg film) portrays Saul Tenser, a performance artist who constantly grows new organs in his body, a phenomenon called "Accelerated Evolution Syndrome." He performs with his partner Caprice (Léa Seydoux) by displaying his body and organs to an audience.
During the climax of the feature, Saul performs an autopsy on a dead boy named Brecken (authorized by the boy's father Lang Dotrice after the mother, Djuna, killed Brecken due to his ability to eat plastic). Caprice delivers an emotional monologue explaining how Brecken was a boy who had meaning, purpose, and value, despite the fact that he ate toxic waste. This autopsy brings out the emotions of Lang, Caprice, and Saul, establishing their appreciation for human evolution and the values of the human body, no matter how unconventional it may be.
Nope – OJ and Em Battle The UFO
Jordan Peele's third feature is his most ambitious effort to date, successfully combining the sci-fi, horror, and the Western genres. The film stars Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer as Otis "OJ" Haywood Jr. and Emerald "Em" Haywood, respectively, as siblings who train horses for TV and film productions. After the sudden death of their father, Otis Haywood Sr., the siblings find themselves facing off against one of the strangest and deadliest movie villains in recent memory: a UFO/flying saucer that sucks the life out of everything on Earth.
Towards the end of Peele's film, OJ and Em do everything they can to get the UFO's attention in order to destroy it (and capture footage of it in the process, showing how Peele's movie is also inspired by the documentary and filmmaking processes). The siblings call the UFO Jean Jacket, named after one of their horses. Although it sucks up people, animals, and large objects, Jean Jacket gets weaker when Em causes it to suck up a large helium balloon. This leads to the UFO's demise, and the conclusion of a very long and hard-fought battle.
Prey – Naru Defeats The Predator
After several flawed sequels, Prey is the first film to match the skill and finesse of the original Predator. While Arnold Schwarzenegger and American mercenaries were the focus of the first feature, this prequel places the spotlight on indigenous characters. The protagonist, Naru, is a young Comanche warrior who is determined to prove herself as a skilled and worthy hunter to her tribe in the Northern Great Plains in 1719. However, Naru faces an unexpected enemy: the Predator.
Throughout the film, the Predator shows off its brutal killing methods with its spear gun and sharp weapons. However, in the end, Naru successfully tracks the Predator's movements and lures it, leading to an intense showdown between the two foes. Despite the Predator's large physique and quick movements, Naru is able to get the villain's attention and kill it by setting her own traps and luring the creature with her fighting abilities and weapons (including her ax on a string and a pistol).
Everything Everywhere All at Once – Evelyn Saves Jobu/Joy
Everything Everywhere All at Once is a feature that literally has everything: martial arts action, sci-fi, multiple realities, and the love and hardships of family. Michelle Yeoh stars as Evelyn Quan Wang, a Chinese-American immigrant who owns a laundromat but is burdened by tax problems and family issues surrounding her husband (Waymond), daughter (Joy), and father (Gong Gong). However, when Evelyn learns that multiverses exist and that Joy (called Jobu Tupaki in other universes) is the primary threat, Evelyn has to save her family and the world — in every universe.
Towards the end of the film, Evelyn has learned how the multiverse works, and that she and others (including her family) become more powerful in terms of fighting ability and have more fulfilling careers in other universes. When Evelyn tries to prevent Jobu Tupaki from entering the donut (which sucks up everyone and everything in the world), she battles Jobu's army by helping them find their happiness. Once Evelyn tells Jobu that she will not stop her, she also tells Joy in another universe that she's willing to let her go, convincing Joy/Jobu to not leave her mother and that they truly love and care for each other.