20 Best Films Of 2021

6. Pig

The Card Counter
Neon

Though many ridiculed Pig pre-release as a goofy-looking John Wick ripoff in which Nicolas Cage takes on the thugs who kidnapped his beloved truffle pig, this is not that movie. Like, at all.

Writer-director Michael Sarnoski makes one of the most assured directorial debuts in recent memory in this strange, philosophical drama about a reclusive chef (Cage) venturing on a spirit quest to reclaim his aforementioned missing pig.

Anyone expecting 92 minutes of Cage destroying foes and freaking out may be left disappointed, but what we get is so much better - an oddly tender and thoughtful film about loss and the joy of eating.

Cage gives a masterful, Oscar-worthy performance that's by far his best work in many years, while as his young sidekick Amir, Alex Wolff is also remarkable.

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.