Ten Worst Films of 2023

The past year was one where I didn’t see as many films as usual and that meant missing out on a few releases.

For better or for worse, these included pictures such as “The Flash” and “Indiana Jones: The Dial of Destiny,” among others. I still saw plenty of flicks, though, and as usual, some of them were a chore to sit through.

Here are the roughest films that were released in 2023 that I experienced.

10. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

The latest “Aquaman,” and likely the last DCEU entry, offered little more than a lackluster adventure for the oceanic hero. Jason Momoa’s take on the character seems to have been stretched as far as it can go cinematically, and the whole thing just felt like a superhero flick going through the motions.

Its lone saving grace was some of the fun brotherly banter between Aquaman and his shady brother Orm. Not quite enough to fully rescue the flick, though.

9. The Exorcist: Believer

“Exorcist: Believer” got off to a hot start, featuring a compelling first act. Its strong opening gave some hope that this latest edition in the series could be worth something.

Turned out to not be the case as the film collapses as it goes on. It wastes legacy characters, pushes no boundaries like the original did, gets absurd in the third act and has a cop out ending.

8. The Last Voyage of the Demeter

While “Demeter” actually featured a nice aesthetic, capturing the rickety looking boats of the era it’s set in, the movie is nothing more than a slasher plot with dull characters getting killed off. Even with an R-rating, those kills aren’t memorable, either.

It’s really pointless to have a monster-like Dracula if he’s not going to be doing more mayhem. Either have him spill more blood or use a more classic, suave Dracula. Pick a lane.

7. Cocaine Bear

“Cocaine Bear” is a movie that sort of wanted to have things both ways. In one way, it seemed like Elizabeth Banks wanted to create a B-movie exploitation flick with a bear on a rampage. However, she also overloads the film with a bunch of character-driven stuff that just feels like filler in the end.

Also, there’s not nearly enough bear carnage in this movie. The flick is not nearly gory enough for fans of the horror genre.

6. Shazam: Fury of the Gods

While the first “Shazam” offered some fun with the premise of a kid becoming a superhero, it was really made endearing by the protagonist’s search for a family. With this sequel, it’s like the filmmakers just decided to throw out the latter.

The younger version of the hero is an older teenager who’s about to exit the foster care program, and he’s barely in the movie. Most of the time, it’s the older version, portrayed by Zachary Levi, showing up and acting immature, as if he’s learned nothing from his experiences and it’s out of sync with his younger self. It doesn’t help that the film’s plot and villains are underwritten.

5. Five Nights at Freddy’s

“Five Nights at Freddy’s” is a film based on a video game, and it had a fairly good concept to work with. The film is set in a dilapidated Chuck E. Cheese knock-off with creepy animatronics that come to life. Unfortunately, that concept was wasted here.

“Freddy’s” has an overly convoluted plot and even worse, it’s a horror movie that isn’t scary. The kills don’t offer any entertainment and the suspense is nonexistent.

4. Wish

Disney’s latest animated feature was its blandest in a long time. “Wish” has vague themes, a hollow story and underwhelming characters, making for a completely forgettable experience.

The songs disappoint, the comedy falls flat and there’s nothing that captivates an audience. It’s a film that feels empty, offering audiences none of the magic viewers are used to.

3. Fast X

Just stick a fork in this franchise, it’s dead. Yes, the tires keep on spinning, but this series is going nowhere. Once again there’s a villain who the hero Dom wronged in the past who’s out for revenge, that’s the third time it’s happened. Everything about these sequels just feels like it’s treading old ground.

Same goes for the characters, who have basically become parodies of themselves from earlier entries. The action isn’t anything special, either, with an over use of CGI and a lack of practical effects that have made other movies, like “Mad Max: Fury Road,” memorable. Not to mention all of the characters who die in these movies never stay dead, meaning there are no stakes.

2. Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire

“Rebel Moon” is a derivative work, drawing from the likes of “Star Wars,” “The Seven Samurai” and “A Bug’s Life” and not doing anything particularly interesting with them. The film is completely uninteresting, with a repetitive plot and convoluted inside politics.

The characters are also a complete let down, with no passion or charisma, not to mention a lack of camaraderie with the rag tag team at the film’s center.

1. Expend4bles

This film comes across like it was written by an AI program. It’s so robotic and lifeless, lacking any sort of identity. Not to mention from a story perspective it’s basically missing a second act, and instead just has two over-long halves. The poor CGI action certainly didn’t help, either.

On top of all that, this “Expendables” didn’t even have any novelty. The whole selling point of this series was it included performers who were action film staples, from Antonio Banderas to Chuck Norris. Here we get 50 Cent and Megan Fox. Enough said.