Few filmmakers have the vary of Steven Soderbergh. After bursting onto the scene together with his 1989 movie intercourse, lies, and videotape, Soderbergh averted straightforward categorization by directing the unusual semi-adaptation Kafka. Just a few years later, he confused audiences much more together with his experimental comedy Schizopolis. He’s a filmmaker who’s by no means been afraid to make the movies he desires. Typically, these motion pictures simply so occur to line up with what everybody else desires.
Soderbergh stays one in every of solely two administrators nominated twice for Finest Director on the Academy Awards in the identical yr (the opposite is Michael Curtiz in 1939) for his 2000 movies Erin Brockovich and Visitors. However removed from a crucial and awards darling whose movies preserve mainstream audiences at bay, his remake of Ocean’s Eleven and its subsequent sequels reaped over $1 billion on the field workplace within the 2000s.
For the reason that success of the primary Ocean’s movie, he’s gone on to make movies throughout the style spectrum, from science fiction to horror and motion. Right here, discover the perfect Steven Soderbergh motion pictures throughout all genres to have fun the work of one of many world’s most interesting and most idiosyncratic filmmakers.
1. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
A remake of the Rat Pack film of the identical title, Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven follows a bunch of, that’s proper, eleven skilled (and a few not-so-professional) thieves as they plan and execute an elaborate heist. The movie, which takes place in Las Vegas, seems to be unimaginable and invitations the viewers into the posh the thieves get pleasure from as they put together for the job. The movie additionally invitations viewers to establish with the ultra-cool and ultra-stylish thieves performed by George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Elliott Gould.
Ocean’s Eleven attracts viewers into its world with a give attention to character and course of that enables what’s ostensibly a heist film to operate like a hangout film with none of the narrative slack most hangout motion pictures undergo from. The script, by Ted Griffin, stands as a exceptional work that’s celebrated not just for its hilarious quotes but additionally its perfect structure.
2. Ocean’s Twelve (2004)
Persevering with the haunt film really feel of Soderbergh’s first Ocean’s movie, Ocean’s Twelve leans into the character focus and away from the tight plotting that made its predecessor so successful. Ocean’s Twelve provides characters and plotlines, increasing the world of the movie in ways in which might overwhelm the movie however as an alternative make it among the best sequels ever made.
Ocean’s Twelve sees the unique eleven thieves focused by the person they stole from within the first movie, regrouping to carry out a number of jobs throughout Europe and discovering themselves in a contest with one other thief. The plot has quite a bit occurring, together with a romance for Brad Pitt’s Rusty, however that sprawl permits the viewers to get pleasure from spending time with the characters in a extra relaxed method than Ocean’s Eleven ever permits. Ocean’s Twelve doesn’t meet the identical degree of structural perfection as its predecessor, however it affords viewers the expertise of an important sitcom with beloved characters in a film that hardly cracks two hours.
3. Haywire (2011)
As of now, Haywire stays the one motion film in Soderbergh’s filmography, which makes it all of the extra spectacular that it ranks as among the best motion motion pictures of the twenty first century. The movie follows black ops mercenary Mallory Kane (former MMA fighter Gina Carano) as she investigates why her boss betrayed her and framed her for homicide.
Haywire affords some gorgeous motion scenes, with Carano taking over A-listers like Channing Tatum and Michael Fassbender in wild, choreographed fights. The musical selections, nevertheless, make the movie so memorable. Most of the hard-hitting motion scenes function no rating in any respect, and the chase sequences within the movie are scored by medium-paced, jazzy digital music that highlights the mundanity of a life-or-death chase for Mallory.
4. Contagion (2011)
9 years earlier than COVID-19 unfold throughout the globe, Contagion imagined what a worldwide pandemic would possibly appear to be. The movie follows a number of characters, from an everyman to CDC scientists and conspiracy theorists, as they navigate the horrific new actuality of the illness. Contagion stands alone as a movie virtually totally pushed by the processes of its many characters, whether or not they’re looking for a vaccine, making an attempt to cease the unfold, or just making an attempt to outlive and be there for his or her relations.
Scientists celebrated the movie upon its launch, with the director of the Vaccine Training Middle, Paul Offit, celebrating that the movie “is willing to allow science to prevail over drama.” When COVID-19 struck, many revisited Contagion and located themselves shocked at how accurately the film portrayed the responses to a pandemic. Contagion challenges viewers, particularly with such a stark real-life counterpart not even half a decade up to now, however the film has rightfully cemented itself as a contemporary basic, and among the best Steven Soderbergh motion pictures.
5. Solaris (2002)
Much less a remake of Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1972 movie of the identical title than a brand new adaptation of the novel by Stanisław Lem, Soderbergh’s Solaris balances its heady themes with the pacing of a thriller. The movie follows psychologist Chris Kelvin (George Clooney), who travels to an area station orbiting the planet Solaris to research unusual phenomena.
When he arrives, he finds the station in disrepair, with solely two of the unique crew alive. His questions in regards to the scenario solely multiply when his lifeless spouse seems on the ship, not in a dream, not as a hallucination, however in a bodily kind that the others on the ship can see and work together with. Solaris asks existential questions on reminiscence, relationships, and what makes us human in a classy science fiction movie with good performances from all actors, together with a pre-fame Viola Davis.
6. Unsane (2018)
Soderbergh’s first horror movie and the primary movie he shot totally on an iPhone, Unsane attracts viewers into the angle of Sawyer (Claire Foy), a younger lady who has a stalker and has moved to get away from him however has PTSD. When she visits a counselor after a panic assault, she unwittingly indicators herself into an inpatient psychiatric hospital, a hospital the place her stalker is working as an orderly.
Soderbergh makes use of varied cinematic strategies to construct identification with the younger lady and horror over her scenario whereas additionally highlighting the flexibility of the iPhone as a digicam. Unsane’s small-scale and largely single-location setting pressure the viewers to really feel the identical sense of inescapability as Sawyer, creating a strong and affecting horror movie.
7. intercourse, lies, and videotape (1989)
The movie that put Soderbergh on the map and gained him the Palme d’Or at simply 26, intercourse, lies, and videotape hasn’t misplaced any of its energy during the last 30-plus years. The movie tells the story of younger, stunning, and unhappily married Ann (Andie MacDowell) as an previous good friend of her husband comes to stick with them. Ann and her husband’s good friend Graham (James Spader) are snug with each other, telling one another issues they haven’t shared with different individuals. The movie looks like it might grow to be a narrative a couple of dishonest spouse.
However issues are extra sophisticated than that; Ann’s husband is already dishonest on her together with her sister, and when Ann discovers that Graham has a set of videotapes of him interviewing girls about their sexual histories and preferences, she’s spooked. When Graham meets Ann’s sister, the relationships among the many 4 leads solely grow to be extra intertwined and intimate. All that intertwining permits intercourse, lies, and videotape to ship probably the most empathetic and reasonable portraits of how individuals relate to intercourse and each other. Rely it quintessential each amongst American unbiased cinema, and amongst Steven Soderbergh motion pictures.
8. Logan Fortunate (2017)
Few movies provide the proper description of themselves in dialogue, however when a personality calls the heist on the heart of Logan Fortunate “Ocean’s 7-Eleven,” it simply feels proper. The heist comedy follows three members of the traditionally unfortunate Logan household and their safe-cracking good friend Joe Bang (Daniel Craig) as they plan to rob the Charlotte Motor Speedway throughout the Coca-Cola 600 race.
However Logan Fortunate stands as a definite movie from Soderbergh’s different comedies about heists. Not like the Ocean’s motion pictures, not one of the Logan household are skilled thieves, and Joe Bang doesn’t resemble the sleek operators who orchestrate the roles in these movies. The movie’s comedy is broader and extra foolish, with Craig delivering a hilariously over-the-top efficiency.
9. Ocean’s 13 (2007)
The ultimate of these different heist comedies, Ocean’s 13 sees the thieves return to Las Vegas to avenge the betrayal of one in every of their very own. The movie makes an attempt to recapture the magic of the primary, with a smaller and extra streamlined plot, however fails to hit the excessive normal set by the 2 earlier movies.
However as a result of that normal is so excessive, and the movie nonetheless affords some delightfully fast dialogue between the superbly portrayed characters viewers have now come to know and love, Ocean’s 13 is much from a failure. Including Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin to the solid, because the villainous on line casino mogul and his right-hand lady, additionally helps the movie really feel recent regardless of its narrative repetitions.
10. Magic Mike’s Final Dance (2023)
Whereas neither of Soderbergh’s Magic Mike movies attain the heights of Magic Mike XXL, his return to the collection with Magic Mike’s Last Dance affords among the identical pleasure that makes XXL so great. The third movie within the trilogy breaks up the group of male strippers the primary two movies heart on to comply with the eponymous Mike (Channing Tatum) as he journeys to London to direct a present produced by the rich and beautiful Max (Salma Hayek Pinault).
The movie performs like a romantic comedy between Mike and Max, with the present’s manufacturing performed virtually like a heist the 2 and their many dancers are pulling off. Whereas some followers really feel that the movie deserted the camaraderie and class-consciousness that made the primary two movies fashionable classics, there’s no denying the gorgeous dance sequences and the chemistry between Tatum and Hayek Pinault within the film.
11. Magic Mike (2012)
The primary Magic Mike movie stays the weakest as a result of it takes itself essentially the most significantly. The movie features as a grounded drama about working-class male strippers struggling to make ends meet within the wake of the 2008 monetary disaster. The story follows Mike (Tatum) as he takes a younger man underneath his wing and introduces him to the advantages of life as a stripper whereas additionally making an attempt to teach him on the duties that include the job.
Whereas the movie is much less enjoyable than its two sequels, Magic Mike options some phenomenal dance and stripping sequences, significantly Tatum’s dance set to Ginuwine’s “Pony,” and features a implausible solid, together with Matthew McConaughey, Olivia Munn, and Joe Manganiello.
12. Erin Brockovich (2000)
One of many two movies that earned Soderbergh his twin Finest Director Oscar nominations in 2001, Erin Brockovich tells the true story of the eponymous Erin Brockovich (performed by Julia Roberts). Shortly after beginning a job as a authorized assistant, Brockovich discovers that the Pacific Gasoline and Electrical Firm contaminated groundwater in Hinkley, California. She begins compiling details about the disastrous results the contamination had in town’s inhabitants and works together with her boss to take authorized motion in opposition to the corporate.
Erin Brockovich might have grow to be a by-the-numbers inspirational story. However Soderbergh and Roberts preserve the movie from rising saccharine or cliché. Roberts delivers an excellent efficiency that makes essentially the most of her allure and will get audiences on her facet instantly, rooting for her as she works lengthy hours and continues pushing for what’s proper when all appears misplaced. The movie garnered a number of Academy Award nominations together with Soderbergh’s for Finest Director and gained Roberts the Finest Actress award.
13. Out of Sight (1998)
Primarily based on the novel of the identical title by Elmore Leonard, Out of Sight marked the primary of Steven Soderbergh’s motion pictures to function George Clooney, and it’s straightforward to see why they stored working collectively. The movie tells the story {of professional} financial institution robber Jack Foley (Clooney), who develops a romance with U.S. Marshall Karen Sisco (Jennifer Lopez) after breaking out of jail.
The movie takes a number of twists and turns, culminating in a ridiculous ultimate shootout. However the relationship between Foley and Sisco turns into the center of the film, a coupling made extremely compelling by the chemistry between Clooney and Lopez.
14. Che Half One (2008)
The primary of two movies Soderbergh made with Benicio del Toro on the lifetime of the eponymous revolutionary, Che Half One, parallels Ernesto “Che” Guevara’s time within the Cuban revolution and his 1964 journey to New York to handle the United Nations. The movie’s give attention to these areas permits it to delve into the main points of an armed revolutionary battle and the movie star that adopted for Guevara.
The movie stands as probably the most process-driven biopics, permitting Che’s actions as a army and thought chief to face in for the scenes of interpersonal drama that make up most biopics. Che Half One has extra in widespread with The Battle of Algiers than any biopic. Like that movie, it refuses to operate as a hagiography of its topic, providing glimpses of Che’s homophobia and vital ego.
15. Aspect Results (2013)
Few movies preserve the viewers guessing like Aspect Results. The movie begins when a younger lady’s husband is launched from jail for insider buying and selling, and she or he purposefully runs her automotive right into a wall. A psychiatrist takes her on as a affected person and works together with her to search out an antidepressant treatment that may assist her. However when unexpected uncomfortable side effects result in a homicide, it’s unimaginable to know what’s true and what anybody’s motivations are.
Sadly, the movie doesn’t finish as sturdy because it begins. However Aspect Results’ first two acts provide among the most fun and suspenseful scenes amongst Steven Sorderbergh motion pictures.
16. Kafka (1991)
Launched the identical yr as David Cronenberg’s Bare Lunch, Kafka additionally melds details of the creator’s life with parts of his fiction to create a novel movie. Drawing primarily from Franz Kafka’s The Trial and The Fortress, the movie follows Kafka (Jeremy Irons) as he turns into concerned with a bunch of revolutionaries and investigates the disappearance of a good friend.
The primarily black and white movie pulls audiences into its unusual world with disorienting enhancing, hanging photos, and surreal humor that correctly deliver to cinematic life the sensation of Kafka’s writing. However the twists and turns preserve issues stunning even for these accustomed to his work and make the film stand alone as one of many strangest and most fascinating of Soderbergh’s movies.
17. Kimi (2022)
In a post-COVID replace on Hitchcock’s Rear Window, Kimi tracks Zoë Kravitz’s agoraphobic Angela as she investigates a homicide that she found whereas doing her work. Angela works for the tech firm that produces the assistant Kimi, and when Kimi can’t hear or perceive a command, Angela will get to take heed to it and assist Kimi pay attention higher sooner or later. When Kimi sends Angela the sounds of a girl’s homicide, Angela does her greatest to induce her employer to research. However her employer could also be chargeable for the killing.
Kimi by no means develops into something grand, however that’s exactly why it’s such an gratifying movie. The small scale permits Soderbergh to play with kind, particularly throughout some thrilling chase sequences, and ship a good, tense, and satisfying style story.
18. Schizopolis (1995)
Whereas Kafka stands as one of many strangest movies in Soderbergh’s filmography, Schizopolis claims the title of the strangest movie in his filmography. Schizopolis tells the story of Fletcher Munson (Soderbergh in his solely starring function), a person who works for the vaguely Scientology-esque “Eventualism” group and struggles to jot down a speech for the group’s chief.
That abstract undersells the movie’s strangeness, which options a number of surreal sequences centered on the character Elmo Oxygen and splits views between Munson, his spouse, and her lover, an similar man performed by Soderbergh. Schizopolis is a type of uncommon movies that’s really not like anything.
19. Che Half Two (2008)
The second movie in Soderbergh’s Che biographical movie cycle contrasts with the primary in some ways. Not like the primary movie, which invitations audiences into two paralleled facets of Guevara’s life, Half Two facilities totally on his try to foment a revolution in Bolivia. The movie not often cuts away from Guevara and the few males with whom he trains to point out Bolivian president René Barrientos assembly with representatives from america who promise to coach the Bolivian military in counter-insurgent ways they use in Vietnam.
Whereas the primary film exhibits the steps vital for a profitable revolution, the second highlights simply what number of issues have to go proper and what number of issues can go flawed for an armed political battle to succeed. Che Half Two would be the extra attention-grabbing and intellectually precious of the 2 movies. Nevertheless it fails to attract the viewers like Che Half One does.
20. Visitors (2000)
The movie that gained Soderbergh his Finest Director Oscar now looks like one in every of his least distinct. Visitors tells the story of a number of individuals concerned in america’ “Warfare on Medication,” from a politician whose daughter makes use of medicine to cops making an attempt to gradual or cease the trafficking of medication and a housewife who learns that her husband’s drug cash has paid for her luxurious life.
Visitors is quintessential hyperlink cinema, characterised by the interweaving lives of many characters linked by varied threads. It’s a mode that has fallen out of style and feels a bit too of its time, one thing not helped in Visitors’s case by its blatant edifying intent. But the movie stays compelling due to Soderbergh’s expertise for pacing and lots of implausible performances, together with Benicio del Toro’s Oscar-winning portrayal of a Mexican cop.
Movie and TV Critic, Pop Tradition Author
- Experience: Horror, Animation, Queer Movie
- Training: Grasp’s Diploma in Philosophy from Boston School, Twin Bachelor’s Diploma in Philosophy and Political Science from Boston School
- Organizer of Queer Movie Problem on Letterboxd
- Over 200 evaluations, essays, articles, and lists throughout varied websites
Expertise: Kyle Logan has been writing about movie since learning movie and philosophy as an undergraduate at Boston School. Kyle started writing about movie professionally in 2020 and has written for a lot of websites together with Display Anarchy, Movie Tales, and Fangoria. Kyle has additionally organized the Queer Movie Problem on Letterboxd since 2020, highlighting the queer historical past of movie and bringing consideration to rising queer filmmakers. Kyle now works full time with Wealth of Geeks, contributing lists, evaluations, and podcast appearances on matters as assorted as movie, journey, and Halloween sweet.
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