Opened: October 28, 2022

Directed by: Edward Berger

Starring: Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Aaron Hilmer, Moritz Klaus, Adrian Grünewald, Edin Hasanovic, Daniel Brühl, Thibault de Montalembert, Devid Striesow, Andreas Döhler & Sebastian Hülk

One of the most beautifully shot war films to grace the silver screen, All Quiet on the Western Front is a somber look at World War I.

Just over a year before the end of the First World War, Paul Bäumer (Felix Kammerer) and his classmates Albert (Aaron Hilmer), Franz (Moritz Klaus) and Ludwig (Adrian Grünewald) join the Imperial German Army. While excited at first, the group is horrified by the realities of war.

James Friend’s cinematography is the best of the year. Contrasting the grimness of the war at hand with the beauty of their environment helps settle the audience in the chaos.

Kammerer is fantastic in the lead role and keeps up with the horrors his character witnesses. His facial expressions tell just as much as his words do.

Final say: Wins the war. ★★★★★