16. The Gift

Director: Joel Edgerton

Release date: August 27, 2015

Joel Edgerton announced himself as an auteur this year, writing, directing, producing and starring in the delightfully Hitchcockian thriller, The Gift. Despite the film’s trailer giving away one of the film’s key plot twists, Edgerton does an impressive job of subverting his audience’s expectations. The script never quite goes where you expect it to, mirroring the craftiness of Edgerton’s mysterious character, Gordo.

The casting of Jason Bateman in the leading role, who is at his best when playing against the dry straight-guy charm of his Arrested Development hero Michael Bluth, is a stroke of genius. Bateman gives one of his best performances, as does Rebecca Hall as his ever-trusting wife.

Edgerton has impressed as a screenwriter with previous efforts The Square and The Rover, but has an exciting future as a director.