There's something uniquely thrilling about a movie that leaves audiences sharply divided. Whether you're on the side that calls it a masterpiece or the side that can't stand it, you're guaranteed a lively conversation—and maybe even a fresh perspective. The 2020s have already given us a handful of such films, and they're all the more interesting for it.
Here's our ranking of the most polarizing movies of the decade so far, from the ones that merely split opinion to those that practically beg for a love-it-or-hate-it reaction. We've left out films that were almost universally panned (like Megalopolis or Joker: Folie à Deux)—these are the ones where the debate is actually worth having.
8. Tenet (2020)
Christopher Nolan has never been one to shy away from complex storytelling, but Tenet might be his most confounding puzzle yet. A spy thriller that plays with time inversion—where objects and people move backward through time—it's a film that demands your full attention and then some. Some viewers found it exhilarating; others found it exhausting. The trick, it seems, is finding the sweet spot between overthinking and underthinking it. If you can, you're in for a wild ride.
7. The Killer (2023)
David Fincher's The Killer slipped under the radar for many, but it's a film that rewards a second look. On the surface, it's a slick, stylish assassin thriller. Dig deeper, and you'll find a darkly comedic subversion of the genre—one that some viewers didn't quite catch. It's not Fight Club, but it's a worthy addition to Fincher's filmography, and one that's likely to gain a cult following over time.
6. The Apprentice (2024)
Any film about Donald Trump was bound to be controversial, but The Apprentice goes beyond mere provocation. It's a bold, uncompromising look at the man before he became a political figure, and it doesn't shy away from the ugly parts. Some will see it as a hatchet job; others will see it as a necessary reckoning. Either way, it's a film that refuses to be ignored.
5. Eddington (2025)
Set during the early 2020s, Eddington is a strange, darkly comedic Western that feels almost too close to home. It's a film that's deliberately uncomfortable, throwing you back into the chaos of the pandemic era and all the division that came with it. Some will find it cathartic; others will find it triggering. But there's no denying its audacity.
4. Digger (2026)
This is the film that inspired this entire list. Digger is a big swing that didn't connect with everyone, but for those it did, it's a masterpiece. It's the kind of movie that defies easy categorization, and that's precisely why it's so divisive. If you're a fan of bold, unconventional cinema, this one's for you.
These films prove that the most interesting movies are often the ones that split audiences. They challenge us, provoke us, and sometimes even confuse us—but they never leave us indifferent. And in a world where so much content is designed to please everyone, that's something worth celebrating.
