Emma. (2020)

A perfectly put-together period. piece, slickly subtle yet sizzling in its sensuality (those looks shared at the dance!) and humour (chatty Miss Bates is an obvious highlight, but spineless Mr. Elton is another) as wonderful cinematography, performances, and script unravel the story’s web of relationships centered on the beguiling Emma. With all the pomp and privilege on display though (not to mention the tidy pairing-off in the end), a little more bite and blood would’ve been welcome.

Thoroughbreds (2018)

It’s a little slow but the patient pace eventually fits really nicely into the overall unnerving, dryly/darkly witty atmosphere (see the amazing slow-zoom one-take shot with Amanda sleeping on the couch). The leads are excellent, and their respective arcs revealed at the end were a nice surprise for a more mood-oriented film, even if they didn’t feel quite justified. Wonderful cinematography and careful use of music and sound throughout add more artistic flair to this white-collar weirdness.