As the entire world still manages to recuperate after a devastating pandemic near the beginning of the decade, the film industry has become a vital instrument in alleviating many feelings that emerged during the dreaded lockdown. As a result of this, a plethora of fresh and emerging filmmakers, screenwriters, and directors have taken to film, producing some of the decade’s most memorable and impactful films thus far.
The 2020s has given viewers new films from prolific filmmakers such as Jordan Peele, Greta Gerwig, David Cronenberg, and Christopher Nolan. However, there have been many feature directorial debuts from many new faces that easily place themselves among some of the best films to date.
The decade has given prominence to many new filmmakers and performers, and featured a plethora of directorial debuts since 2020. While there were many options to choose from, here are 10 of the best directorial debuts of the decade so far.
10Emerald Fennell - Promising Young Woman (2020)
London creatorEmerald Fennellbegan her career in the entertainment and publishing industries through acting in television series for Channel 4 and BBC One, screenwriting a romantic comedy script titledChukka, and authoring her first novel,Shiverton Hall, in 2013. Her combined creative efforts eventually led her to more prominent roles, such as starring inThe Danish Girl (2015)and show running the second season ofKilling Eve. Despite her immense success, it was not until 2020 that Emerald Fennell arguably garnered her biggest breakthrough in her career with her directorial debut film,Promising Young Woman.
Starring Carrey Mulligan as central protagonist Cassie,Promising Young Womanfollows Cassie as she juggles revenge and forgiveness while being haunted by her tragic past. The dramatic thriller is not only directed, but also written and co-produced by Fennell as well. The film went on to win many accolades, including anOscar for Best Original Screenplay, and became a critical success by earning a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
9Darius Marder - Sound of Metal (2020)
Yet another Oscar winner makes this list, only this time it is for two well-deserved wins for Best Sound and Best Film Editing at the 93rd Academy Awards. The film in question isDarius Marder’s directorial feature debut and co-written featureSound of Metal, starring Riz Ahmed in its leading role. The film follows Ruben Stone (Ahmed), a metal drummer who begins to lose his hearing, as he navigates his life within a sobriety home as a struggling heroin addict and his continued passion for his love for music.
Sound of Metalquickly became one of the most talked about films of the year due to Marder’s effective directing, compelling sound design and editing, and the moving display of the deaf community on screen. With a 97% Rotten Tomatoes rating and a score of 82 on Metacritic,Sound of Metalwent on to score many accolades, including nominations and wins at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards and Independent Spirit Awards.
Hit the Roadis an Iranian road-comedy film directed by Panah Panahi in his feature directorial debut. The fun-loving comedic road trip involves a family of four driving toward the Turkish border to successfully sneak their eldest son Farid (Amin Simiar) into the country.
Recognized with top prizes at the Singapore International Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival,Hit the Roadpaints a fun look at the dysfunctional dynamics of a close-knit family. With moving performances from the cast, including one by Rayan Sarlak considered to beone of the best of 2022, the project is an exciting feature debut from writer-director Panah Panahi.
7Emma Seligman - Shiva Baby (2021)
2023 could be another great year for Canadian screenwriter and directorEmma Seligmanas her second comedy feature,Bottoms,expands in theaters this weekend. While her second film has all the makings of asurprising success, it was her first directorial debut that put her on the map.
Shiva Baby, released in 2021, is Seligman’s first directorial feature film. The film follows Danielle (Rachel Sennott), a young adult Jewish bisexual woman, during her time at a shiva with her friends and family. Throughout the event, Danielle runs into her old flings, including her former sugar daddy (Danny Deferrari) and ex-girlfriend (Molly Gordon), while finding her own place in the world.
Lauded by critics and award ceremonies,Shiva Babywas also adored by fans — becoming the most watched film on Mubi upon its release on the digital platform by August.
6Questlove - Summer of Soul (2021)
Summer of Soul(…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)is a 2021 directorial debut documentary byQuestlove, the drummer and frontman of the hip hop bandThe Roots. The independent documentary centers on the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, also known as Black Woodstock.
Summer of Soul explores the unique discrepancies surrounding the historical recount and relevancy of the festival in the modern day. While the event featured prominent performers such as The 5th Dimension, Stevie Wonder, and Nina Simone, the festival is not as prominent in history as such festivals like Woodstock. Through Questlove’s lens, viewers can begin to unravel the reasoning behind that, while also engaging in a thorough recount of one of the biggest nights in the festival’s history.
5Charlotte Wells - Aftersun (2022)
The 2020s has been a decade full of heavy hitting independent features, andCharlotte Wells' 2022 coming of age filmAftersunis a prime example.
The film, which tackles the nuances of fatherhood and effortlessly captures thesummertime feeling, follows Sophie (Frankie Corio) and her father (Paul Mescal) in their last interaction together while on vacation in Turkey. Interspersed throughout are confusing, yet mesmerizing scenes of an older Sophie (Celia Rowlson-Hall) interacting with the spirit of her father and reconciling with the only footage of their last trip together.
Aftersunis an emotionally moving film that tackles the complexities of a father-daughter relationship in a subtlety effective manner. The film is widely regarded as one of the best films of 2022, and has received numerous accolades, commercial and critical success.
4Nikyatu Jusu - Nanny (2022)
American writer and directorNikyatu Jusuhas had a steady career creating short films since 2007, but it was 2022 that saw the Atlanta native’s first directorial feature film,Nanny,brought to life.
The psychological horror film stars Anna Diop as Aisha, an undocumented Senegalese immigrant hired as a nanny to the daughter of a wealthy white couple. Throughout the film, Aisha is forced to face a sinister truth that threatens her personal goals of thriving in the United States.
Nanny thrives with a compelling story from Jusu’s directorial debut, and became an underrated gem in the thriving and crowded horror realm of 2022. Despite its lower cultural presence, the film garnered massive critical success, by earning a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and earning the Grand Jury Prize in the US Dramatic Competition during the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. The historic win madeNannythe first horror film to win the award, and Jusu only the second Black female winner.
Related:Why Nanny Was the Best Horror Movie of 2022
The Quiet GirlisColm Bairéad’s directorial debut, which premiered in 2022. Adapted from the 2010 short story “Foster,” the film features mostly Irish dialogue as it centers on a nine-year-old girl who spends time with her loving extended family. Withdrawn as a child to her upbringing, the summer Cáit (Catherine Clinch) spends in Ring, County Waterford, begins to change her.
After its premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2022,The Quiet Girlwon a Crystal Bear, a special award, and also received a children’s jury special mention for its moving portrayal of a coming of age story.
2Adele Lim - Joy Ride (2023)
Joy Ride(2023) is a comedy film directed by Malaysian filmmakerAdele Lim, who first rose to stardom with her penned hit comedyCrazy Rich Asians. The film is Lim’s directorial debut after years of writing and producing credits in film and television, and has quickly become a commercially successful R-rated film.
The film sees Ashley Park as Audrey Sullivan, a Chinese adoptee who embarks on a journey to visit her birth mother in China with her best friend (Sherry Cola), former college roommate (Stephanie Hsu), and her best friend’s cousin (Sabrina Wu). The film features standout performances from its lovable cast, and became a critical success with strong ratings on Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes.
Joy Rideis one of the many R-rated comedies that have garnered mass acclaim during 2023, but its the unique appeal and diverse story of this directorial debut from Lim that sets it apart from the rest.
Related:10 Movies Like Joy Ride
1Celine Song - Past Lives (2023)
Film distribution and production company A24 has been on a steady incline after asuccessful year in 2022, and 2023 is continuing to shape up in its favor.
One of A24’s newest films, the moving romantic dramaPast Lives, comes from the pen of South Korean-Canadian playwrightCeline Song. The film tackles the story and reunion of Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), two childhood friends who become separated after Nora moves from South Korea to North America. Despite the two keeping communication alive for some parts of their separation, the eventual communicative loss results in their eventual reunion as adults in New York City.
Past Livesis an incredibly moving film that captures the fleeting loss of a genuine connection. Through intense close-ups and lingering shots, Song’s directing emphasizes the complicated feelings that arise for the single Hae Sung and married Nora. The film, which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, has also received universal acclaim for its directing, writing, and performances. Overall acclaim forPast Liveshas made the film one of the most talked about andimportant indie releases of the year.
