While some people might have written novels or recorded albums, my proudest lockdown achievement is 100% my film list. As lockdown began, I started with a list of around 10 films I’d been meaning to watch for ages, determined to finally get around to it. It started with classics like Clockwork Orange, Valley Of The Dolls and Quadrophenia; all of which I talked about in my last films list, and has spiralled into a huge list of everything from cult classics to new releases I never got round to watching. Honestly any time I get the chance I’m showing people this list, it’s my pride and joy at this point.

As autumn rolls in and the appeal of drinking outside fades in the face of colder nights, I thought I’d share the films on my list that got a big rating from me and have the perfect vibes for colder seasons.

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#1 Captain Fantastic

Captain Fantastic was one that came out years ago but somehow managed to totally miss my radar, a shame as it’s very much my type of film. Telling the story of a family that lives in the forest, outside of capitalist society, and their re-entry to the world to attend their mother’s funeral, it’s a perfect film if you like quirky storylines infused with a big dose of emotion and a hearty splash of satirical humour. It perfectly balances silly and serious as these young kids spouting socialist rhetoric is hilarious but also opens up this whole big debate about how to raise children in this world. As an independent vibe film, Captain Fantastic has all the features of the best indies but doesn’t slip on the quality as the cinematics here are beautiful. This film made me feel so comforted and cosy I honestly could have wept, the combo of the family unit and the forest background makes you feel so safe throughout all the drama, making it a film I know I’ll be coming back to in the later months.

# 2 Anna Karenina

On my last day of sixth form, my favourite English teacher gave me a copy of Anna Karenina, so this was always high on my to-watch list.

As a classic Russian novel, the book is difficult and chunky with a million and one long Russian names to memories. But this film not only makes it easy to follow but also manages to capture and translate the glory of those monumental Russian texts. One all levels this film is extravagant; think Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette and add 10x more drama and jewels. The costumes and sets are incredible, proving that there was no slacking on the budget here, but also the adaptation is beautiful with the direction being artful and noticeable which I always love. As a kind of nod to the origins of Anna Karenina as a story, the film flows in and out of this amazing opera stage set that shows you exactly the level of drama you’re in for from curtain up.

The story itself is a tragic romance like no other; a true pillar of literature. It tells the story of Anna Karenina who is considered to be one of literature’s first feminist characters as she refuses to fit in with what Russian high society expects. For a classic text, the story feels super modern as it’s full of sex, scandal and gender politics. Always at her best in a period piece, Keira Knightley is incredible here, her performance actually made me cry which is very very rare. High drama, high fashion and high art, this is a big yes from me.

#3 Jojo Rabbit

I’ll admit it, I can be a bit prejudiced against new films. I don’t go to the cinemas as much as I should so new films regularly get away with me, and then I always find myself wanting to watch the classics rather than that new blockbuster. But so many friends recommended JoJo rabbit to me and I’m so glad I watched it cause this film had me howling.

This is a must-watch for any fans of dark humour, but if you’re easily offended or struggle to settle into some more sensitive jokes, maybe steer clear cause a film about a young Nazi whose imaginary friend is Hitler might not be for you. But if you’re down for some darkness, add this to your list immediately as every time the little boy said ‘oh hi Adolf’, I was crying. The mix of cute innocence with these young children leads that you feel sorry for vs the fact that they’re raging Nazis makes for a funny watch like nothing I’ve seen before.

And beyond the humour, as a big award-winner, the cast and cinematic in this are huge and honestly flawless. Set in a German village with a cosy colour palette of greens and yellows, add this to your autumn watch list.

#4 Before Sunrise

The Before Sunrise trilogy is the best thing I’ve watched in ages and I’ll be screaming it from the rooftop till everyone has seen it.

I’ve never seen a romance film like these before. Yes, they’re cute, but something about them manages to by-pass all cringe and cliché and capture exactly the feeling of two people getting to know each other. Despite being films in amazing locations after the couple meets on a train and get off in Vienna, with the 2^nd and 3^rd taking place in Paris and Greece, the locations never overtake the focus on the interactions. So much of the films are taken up by really simple dialogue as Jesse and Celine get to know each other, talking about the things all people talk about on a first date, making the series feel so familiar and so real. By the end of the trilogy, you really feel like you know these characters as you’ve been on a journey with them, getting three insights into their life that feel at once normal and wildly romantic. With Before Sunrise being filmed in 1995, the original has those perfect 90s aesthetics, but the characters don’t feel dated at all. Unlike all the other 90s classics, something about Before Sunrise and it’s protagonists has managed to be timeless, recreating all those conversations you have about art and life and death, rather than quickly-ageing pop culture.

The third one wasn’t my favourite as I think by 2013, they lost the aesthetics of the film and the Grecian setting didn’t quite match the cosiness of the others. But it’s still a beautiful film. All three feel super romantic while also capture the reality of relationships as they feature little to no drama but instead focus on the small moments.

#5 I’m Thinking Of Ending Things

If you want a real challenge of a film that’s going to make you feel like you’ve achieved something, watch this.

Following an unnamed woman, maybe called Lucy, on a trip to meet her boyfriend's parents, the film spins in and out of existentialism as it gets weirder and weirder. His parents age at every turn, ‘Lucy’ has multiple different jobs, her boyfriend’s personality changes like the wind and every now and then the plot is interrupted by snippets of a whole other character. The best thing to do is to sit back, relax and try not to read into it too much till it’s over. Once you’re done, google it and it’ll all become clear.

But even without understanding the plot, I’m Thinking Of Ending Things is a beautiful film as the landscapes are vast and intense. With a film that seems to include everything from moments of horror to musical numbers, it’s a real display of incredible writing and production, moving through so many different ideas and vibes that you’re never quite sure how to feel.

For the colder months, it’s perfect. The opening 30 minutes see ‘Lucy’ and her boyfriend Jake sat in a car in a snowstorm with a narrative that talks about the decline of a relationship and just that general sense of dread that comes with getting old. The whole thing perfectly captures how it feels to be trapped in your own head as your thoughts spiral and you find yourself feeling worse and worse. It’s bleak but it’s beautifully done, so if you’re after a darker head-scratcher of a film, settle in for this one.

#6 Wild At Heart

I’ve been on a David Lynch binge recently as I’d previously never seen any of his stuff. Currently working my way through Twin Peaks and having ticked Blue Velvet off my list, Wild At Heart remains my favourite.

My favourite genre of film is Bonnie and Clyde stories and this fits that perfectly. Somewhere between the sarcasm of Heathers and the over-dramatic love of True Romance, Wild At Heart is a dark-comedy infused romance as Sailor and Lula’s attempt at a Bonnie and Clyde/Thelma and Louise style getaway is filled with the classic Lynch weird characters and sinister imagery. The best part of it is 100% Laura Dern’s ridiculous southern belle protagonist who is such a bimbo but Dern’s line delivery is comedy gold. As with all other Lynch productions, the soundtrack is amazing and the cinematics are creepy but glorious, yet Wild At Heart isn’t quite as dark or heavy, making it a perfect way to dip your toes into Lynch’s back-catalogue or relax with at the end of the day. But having that darker edge makes it a perfect autumnal film, giving you all the passion without the side portion of that end of summer sadness.

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Leave me your recommendations!