As the credits roll on festival season, a fresh look at the best picture race

'Frankenstein' wasn't a monster hit at Telluride and Venice, but don't count it out just yet. Meanwhile, Neon has the chance to score the top prize for a second year in a row if 'Sentimental Value' wins voters' hearts. Here's where the competition stands.

- Glenn Whipp

Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård in "Sentimental Value," from left; Leonardo DiCaprio in "One Battle After Another"; Timothée Chalamet in "Marty Supreme"; Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal in "Hamnet"; and Michael B. Jordan in "Sinners."

GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S "FRANKENSTEIN" didn't exactly wow audiences and critics when it premiered at the Venice Film Festival, and when it landed at the Telluride Film Festival a day later for a pair of late-night screenings, the response was even more muted. Leaving Colorado, the airport gate was full of hushed conversations between people registering their disappointment with the movie. "Frankenstein," the talk went, had three strikes against it - a plodding story, computer-generated imagery that looked appalling and was employed to often ridiculous effect and, outside of Jacob Elordi's affecting turn as the monster, acting that seemed wildly excessive (Oscar Isaac) or hopelessly lost (Mia Goth). In short: a mess. But then "Frankenstein" traveled to Toronto, a city Del Toro regards as his "second home," and finished as runner-up to "Hamnet" for the festival's People's Choice Award. And in a theatrical limited release ahead of its Nov. 7 Netflix premiere, the movie found favor with the filmmaker's devoted fan base, selling out theaters, including dates at Netflix's renovated Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, where admission lines wrapped around the block.

Some prominent critics, including my colleague Amy Nicholson, have written some thoughtful reviews of the movie, praising Del Toro's lifelong passion project. Amy calls it the "best movie of his career." So in these power rankings for best picture, you'll find "Frankenstein," a movie that's hard to place on this list but harder still to ignore.

10. 'AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH'