This year, there’s no real frontrunner that everyone knows is going to clean house at the Oscars. If you’re looking for a good film to watch that you might’ve missed, you’ve got tons of options. Incredibles 2 is an animated, family-friendly sequel. A Star is Born is a remake of a remake of a classic musical. Annihilation is an adaptation of a sci-fi book, Hereditary is an original horror movie, First Man is an emotional based-on-a-true-story movie — and there are still movies yet to come out! Here are some of our staff members’ picks for the best movie of 2018.

A Star Is Born

A Star Is Born tells a classic story that remains timeless, and the new version is definitely welcome. Bradley Cooper has the best performance of his career as Jackson Maine, which makes his directorial debut that much more legendary. Lady Gaga’s voice is just as amazing as you’d expect, and her performance as Ally Campana proves how versatile her acting skills are. The story may feel cliché to some, but it is an incredibly sincere work packed with some of the year’s best vocal performances on- and off-screen.

— Morgan Pravato, Diversions staff

Hereditary

Hereditary might just be the scariest movie I’ve ever seen. This film, largely absent the jump scares and bloodthirsty murderers that overcrowd the genre, messed with my head. Perhaps more a psychological thriller than anything, Hereditary has a constant anxiety flowing through it. It’s a harrowing tale of a family coping with loss that slowly — and then suddenly — drifts from the typical to the supernatural, leaving viewers terrified for the actors on screen. Alex Wolff (of Naked Brothers Band fame) delivers a convincing performance as Peter Graham, alongside standouts Toni Collette and Milly Shapiro as his mother and sister, respectively. At times gruesome, and at others cripplingly creepy, I couldn’t get this movie, and some of its most gory images, off my mind for the next several hours after seeing it.

— Christine Condon, news editor

The Post

The Post is flawed. Despite the star-studded cast, the historic storyline, and Steven Spielberg at the helm, the film struggles to accurately depict The Washington Post’s fight against the federal government, and takes serious liberties with the truth.

Meryl Streep’s Katharine Graham is a weak, spineless woman, and The Washington Post represented in the movie is no local paper — the real story is almost lost in these grandiose interpretations of history.

The movie is flawed, but that doesn’t make it bad.

The Post is not just another movie. Following on the heels of Spotlight, it is another example of why journalism matters. It is inspiration for people to seek the truth and to support their local papers. It encourages people to take a stand against the attacks on the free press.

In today’s world, journalism is under attack. At The Diamondback, we have seen our own publication criticized for our editorials, our classmates and colleagues hated for their reporting and our professor killed doing the job he loved. Grandiose, maybe, but to see journalism celebrated — and to celebrate the incredible role The Washington Post has played in recent history — is a breath of fresh air.

— Julia Lerner, photo editor

Crazy Rich Asians

It’s the age-old tale of Cinderella, except everyone’s Asian and rich beyond your wildest imagination. Crazy Rich Asians is a fascinating look into the Singaporean upper crust where the jewelry is worth millions of dollars and the outfits are worth more than you’ll ever make in your life.

New York University economics professor Rachel (Constance Wu) is taken to meet her boyfriend Nick’s (Henry Golding) family in Singapore and finds out he’s the Singaporean equivalent of Prince Harry. The plot is nothing too original, but it’s satisfying to watch Rachel apply her knowledge of economics to stand up for herself against her boyfriend’s mother Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh) in a tense game of mahjong.

What makes the movie extra fun is the cultural references like the scene where the whole family sits at the table to fold dumplings. The cast actually being Asian is also something to be excited about, since Hollywood infamously has not done a good job showcasing diversity.

— Iris Vukmanovic, assistant managing editor