The year 2023 was one of movie extremes, with highs that soared and lows that sank into the abyss. Some movies in the latter category had a promising cast or a great premise but were decapitated by poor execution, dull scripts, or sheer bad filmmaking. Some were successful at the box office, although terrible in their message, while others were rejected by moviegoers in the very first screening.
Whether they came from Hollywood, Bollywood, or any other cinematic ‘wood’, some of this year’s releases probably permanently scarred those who were brave enough to watch them. Here’s a look at 10 of the worst films of 2023.
Also Read: Top 10 films of 2023—from ThePrint journalists
Animal
Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s myopic, misogynistic fantasy is so problematic in every way that it’s tempting to give it all the 10 spots on this list. A bad plot, made even worse by cringeworthy dialogues and gratuitous violence, especially against women, Animal is a masterclass in bad filmmaking. Vanga will lash out at anyone and everyone who criticises his film, but the fact remains that using ‘trauma’ to justify violence is just a below-the-belt move, especially in a country struggling with a high rate of crime against women and a tottering mental health structure.
Adipurush
Grating “tapori” dialogues, sub-standard VFX, jarring aesthetics—name a bad idea and Adipurush probably had it. This re-telling of the Ramayana, starring Prabhas, Kriti Sanon, and Saif Ali Khan was so off the mark that it should never have made it past the script stage. The hype around the movie crashed within the first week of its release, as audiences and critics alike recoiled from this assault on the senses. Even dialogue writer Manoj Muntashir Shukla felt compelled to apologise for his contributions to this film.
Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan
Salman bhai has shown that he can get away with almost anything— but not this migraine of a film. From Salman Khan’s flowing locks, reminiscent of his Tere Naam days, to the pointless plot, and clunky choreography, the movie was a cringefest. Even the combined powers of Telugu star Venkatesh Daggubati and an ensemble cast featuring Palak Tiwari, Shehnaaz Gill, Raghav Juyal, and a special appearance by Bhagyashree could not salvage the film. A minute of silence for those who went to watch the first day first show.
Iraivan
I Ahmed’s film, starring fine actors like Nayanthara, Jayam Ravi and Rahul Bose, quickly disintegrates into one of the worst psychological thrillers ever made. It starts off with a lot of promise as Arjun (Ravi) tries to trace a serial killer Bhrama (Bose) who kills young women and decapitates them. But within an hour, the film devolves into a convoluted stream-of-consciousness narrative that seems to exist simply because the filmmaker had to fill the second half with something or the other.
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Ganapath-A Hero is Born
Watching this movie was as painful for the audience as it appeared to be for Tiger Shroff to move his facial muscles and convey emotion. Despite a cameo by Amitabh Bachchan, this was a movie no one needed. Touted as a ‘post-apocalyptic dystopian action’ film, the most disturbing aspect was the lack of anything resembling an expression on Shroff’s face. And this film had him play dual roles. Added to it were unnecessary song-and-dance sequences and almost robotic fight scenes. There is apparently a sequel in the making, which, hopefully, has been abandoned after its dismal box office collection.
Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Peyton Reed’s Ant Man wiped the smiles off the franchise’s fans and was a box office dud. This installment lacked the playfulness of its predecessors and lacked depth and joy in equal measure. In its attempt to align with Marvel’s tradition of intricate backstories, the film loses its own identity. Despite an ever-dependable Paul Rudd trying his best, there just aren’t enough laughs or emotional moments to save this one.
Kushi
The Samantha Ruth Prabhu-Vijay Deverakonda starrer was excruciatingly bad, in both premise and acting. The stars lacked chemistry, and despite tackling the bold topic of religious beliefs impacting relationships, wholesome and meaningful moments were scarce. The comedy was forced, and the tears felt more glycerin than real.
Fast X
No one at the Fast and Furious franchise seems to care about the impact of their relentless output on the fragile minds of their audience. Once a thrilling ride, the films have progressively declined in recent years. Despite adding a new ‘star’ in every new installment, the novelty of the original premise has long evaporated. Jason Momoa is smouldering as always, but its tiring to watch Vin Diesel ham his way through every installment, mouthing ‘family is everything’. Please consider the audience your family and stop.
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Alone
Between Mohanlal oscillating between his best and worst and the rapid panning of the camera, Alone can give you vertigo. It is excruciating to watch the veteran actor struggle to convince his audience to stay in their seats. Even director Shaji Kailas seems to have forgotten what he intended to do with his film after he signed on Mohanlal. The only thing “horror” about this film is that it makes you want to run away screaming from the theatre.
The Little Mermaid
I never thought I would be dissing The Little Mermaid but this live action version is probably the reason I can never revisit one of my favourite Disney creations. Despite a Black actor, Halle Bailey, as Ariel, the film has zero political awareness. Melissa McCarthy brings Ursula alive with her impeccable performance. But nothing else matches the hype the film had initially created with its casting choices. Bad CGI and sub-standard visual effects ruin the experience of watching this one.
(Edited by Asavari Singh)