Flash Points: The biggest films and shows of the year

FP contributors’ take on major releases. DECEMBER 31, 2023  |  [VIEW IN BROWSER](     Sponsored by [Masterworks]( [Joaquin Phoenix (center) stars in the film ]( Joaquin Phoenix (center) stars in the film "Napoleon." Apple TV+ This year, Foreign Policy reviewed some of the biggest international releases in film and television. Our reviews brought a classic FP lens to pop-culture phenomena, examining everything from Napoleon’s portrayal of warfare to the unexpected similarities between Barbie and Oppenheimer. Don’t miss FP reporter Robbie Gramer’s take on The Diplomat, the foreign-policy wonk’s guilty pleasure of the year.—Chloe Hadavas   [1]( [What Ridley Scott’s ‘Napoleon’ Gets Wrong About War]( The film’s ideas have poisoned military thinking for centuries. By Franz-Stefan Gady   [2]( [‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ Have More in Common Than You Think]( Both films attempt to atone for the complicated legacies of American icons. Only one succeeds. By Jennifer Williams   [3]( [At Long Last, the Foreign Service Gets the Netflix Treatment]( Keri Russell gets Drexel furniture but no Senate confirmation hearing. By Robbie Gramer   Holiday offer: $100 off all-access. [Subscribe to FP](.   [4]( [Why Netflix’s ‘Queen Cleopatra’ Has Egypt up in Arms]( Western leaders and filmmakers have long denied the link between modern Egypt and its ancient heritage. By Sara Khorshid   [5]( [How a Netflix Show Sparked a #MeToo Wave in Taiwan]( “Wave Makers” offers a clear porthole into the unique culture of modern Taiwanese politics. By Clarissa Wei Sponsored [Painting sold for $8m, everyday investors profited]( When the painting by master Claude Monet (you may have heard of him) was bought for $6.8 million and sold for $8 million just 631 days later, investors in shares of the offering received their share of the net proceeds. All thanks to Masterworks, the award-winning platform for investing in blue-chip art. Masterworks does all of the heavy lifting like finding the painting, buying it, storing it, and eventually selling it. With over 850,000 users, shares of offerings can sell out in just minutes. But readers can skip the waitlist to join with this [exclusive link](. Investing involves risk and past performance is not indicative of future returns. See important Reg A disclosures and aggregate advisory performance [masterworks.com/cd]([.](   [Unwrap the gift of global insights]( //link.foreignpolicy.com/click/33843806.207416/aHR0cHM6Ly9mb3JlaWducG9saWN5LmNvbS9zdWJzY3JpYmUvP3V0bV9jb250ZW50PXRvcF91bml0/6442801f88c29c4d765242dcE5d736237//link.foreignpolicy.com/click/33843806.207416/aHR0cHM6Ly9mb3JlaWducG9saWN5LmNvbS9zdWJzY3JpYmUvP3V0bV9jb250ZW50PWJvdHRvbV91bml0/6442801f88c29c4d765242dcFae61782f//link.foreignpolicy.com/click/33843806.207416/aHR0cHM6Ly9mb3JlaWducG9saWN5LmNvbS9zdWJzY3JpYmUvP3V0bV9jb250ZW50PWJvdHRvbV91bml0/6442801f88c29c4d765242dcGae61782f//link.foreignpolicy.com/click/33843806.207416/aHR0cHM6Ly9mb3JlaWducG9saWN5LmNvbS9zdWJzY3JpYmUvP3V0bV9jb250ZW50PWVuZF91bml0/6442801f88c29c4d765242dcI02f23af6[For a limited time, take $100 off a subscription. Get access to Foreign Policy’s expert analysis today, and go beyond the headlines for the whole year ahead.]( [SAVE $100](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( You’re receiving this email at {EMAIL} because you signed up for FP's Flash Points newsletter. [MANAGE YOUR EMAIL PREFERENCES]( | [VIEW OUR PRIVACY POLICY]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Interested in partnering with FP on events, podcasts, or research? [Explore FP Solutions](. [Foreign Policy]( is a division of Graham Holdings Company. All contents © 2023 Graham Digital Holding Company LLC. All rights reserved. Foreign Policy, 655 15th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20005.