by Josh Sewell
As 2024 draws to a close, it’s clear this year was just as erratic when it comes to film as it was in every other aspect of life. Industry strikes forced most studios to punt their most promising releases to 2025, resulting in one of the weirdest release calendars in recent memory. Still, even though many of this year’s movies aren’t destined to become modern classics, there were plenty of strong releases if you knew where to look. Here are my choices for 2024’s Top 10 films, along with 10 honorable mentions.
10. Strange Darling
This thriller from writer-director JT Mollner employs a nonlinear timeline to weave a gorgeous, twisted story about a one-night stand that spirals into a vicious murder spree. Willa Fitzgerald (from Amazon’s Reacher) delivers a killer performance and demonstrates scorching chemistry with co-star Kyle Gallner. Mollner’s examination of horror tropes is so compelling that in a perfect world Fitzgerald would earn a Best Actress nomination. Instead, she’ll have to settle for Stephen King calling the film “a clever masterpiece.”
9. September 5
This docudrama chronicling ABC Sports’ coverage of the terrorist attack at the 1972 Olympics in Munich is a gripping thriller. Despite the tragic outcome, performances from John Magaro, Peter Sarsgaard, Ben Chaplain and Leonine Benesch keep the film riveting from beginning to end. The story is a crucial reminder of journalism’s importance – when news outlets cared more about telling the truth than kowtowing to politicians.
8. Nickel Boys
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel from Colson Whitehead, this drama chronicles the friendship between Elwood (Ethan Herisse) and Turner (Brandon Wilson), two Black teenagers stuck in Nickel Academy – a horrific Florida reform school – during the Civil Rights era. RaMell Ross, director and co-writer (along with Joslyn Barnes), crafts a devastating story that lingers long after the end credits. I didn’t think much of the film at first, mostly because it’s like countless heartbreaking narratives we’ve seen before. However, I couldn’t shake the movie for days after the screening. The more I thought about it, the more I admired its audacity and compassion – especially considering the innovative way it’s shot.
7. Challengers
Luca Guadagnino helms this scorching story (written by Justin Kuritzkes) about a tennis prodigy (Zendaya) who turns to coaching after a devastating injury. Her husband Art (Mike Faist) is a champion on a losing streak, so she devises a surprising strategy for his redemption: he’ll face off against his former best friend Patrick (Josh O’Connor). The characters are self-absorbed, but the film is electric and fascinating. Zendaya is stunning and she’s backed by equally strong work from Faist and O’Connor. Guadagnino’s frenetic directing style, along with Marco Costa’s editing, practically gave me an anxiety attack. What’s more, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ score is all-timer.
6. Rebel Ridge
Military vet Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) enters Shelby Springs to post bail for his cousin, but town cops (David Denman and Emory Cohen) seize his life savings in a “perfectly legal” case of civil asset forfeiture. To save his cousin from imminent danger, he’s forced to go head-to-head with the local police chief (Don Johnson). He meets an unlikely ally in a local court clerk (AnnaSophia Robb) and the pair eventually find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy. I still can’t believe this incredible flick didn’t get a theatrical release. If so, it would’ve probably qualified for a bunch of awards. Pierre’s screen presence is undeniable and the exhilarating action sequences are well-choreographed. Although the film drags a bit in the middle and some might find the final scene frustrating, the actors keep Saulnier’s film constantly engaging.
5. The Brutalist
An epic drama about a Holocaust survivor (Adrien Brody) staking his claim in America after World War II probably isn’t on most viewers’ must-see list. But those willing to spend 210 minutes in a theater (including intermission) will experience a thorough examination of the American Dream, complete with its promises and betrayals.
4. Sing Sing
In this celebration of artistic healing, Divine G (Colman Domingo) has been imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. Over time, he finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other inmates, including a hesitant newcomer (Clarence Maclin). Director Greg Kwedar avoids the trauma porn usually found in movies about prison life. It doesn’t pretend those awful elements don’t exist but focuses instead on how these characters pretend to be people who live somewhere else. Domingo is incredible, but he ensures his co-stars also get to shine.
3. Red Rooms
2. The Wild Robot
Based on Peter Brown’s bestselling book, this animated adventure follows robot ROZZUM Unit 7134 (Lupita Nyong’o) – or Roz for short – who is stranded on an uninhabited island. As she adapts to her surroundings, she gradually builds relationships with the island’s animals and becomes the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling (Kit Connor). The gorgeous animation and lead performance from Nyong’o are the biggest selling points, but the supporting cast is also terrific. Pedro Pascal, Catherine O’Hara, Bill Nighy, Mark Hamill and Ving Rhames add depth to what could’ve easily been stock characters or unnecessary comic relief.
1. Anora
This raunchy, charming comedy centers on Ani (Mikey Madison), a Brooklyn sex worker whose life takes an unexpected turn when she meets the immature son (Mark Eidelshtein) of a Russian billionaire. When his parents hear the couple impulsively got married, they send their henchmen (Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan and Yura Borisov) to annul the union, setting off a chaotic night in New York City. Writer-director Sean Baker’s combination of Pretty Woman and Uncut Gems won the coveted Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and it’s easy to see why. The film will prove too raw for some, but those who can handle the sex, nudity, drug use and crude language will find a surprisingly tender heart beneath the vulgarity.
Honorable Mentions (in alphabetical order):
Conclave
As 2024 draws to a close, it’s clear this year was just as erratic when it comes to film as it was in every other aspect of life. Industry strikes forced most studios to punt their most promising releases to 2025, resulting in one of the weirdest release calendars in recent memory. Still, even though many of this year’s movies aren’t destined to become modern classics, there were plenty of strong releases if you knew where to look. Here are my choices for 2024’s Top 10 films, along with 10 honorable mentions.
This thriller from writer-director JT Mollner employs a nonlinear timeline to weave a gorgeous, twisted story about a one-night stand that spirals into a vicious murder spree. Willa Fitzgerald (from Amazon’s Reacher) delivers a killer performance and demonstrates scorching chemistry with co-star Kyle Gallner. Mollner’s examination of horror tropes is so compelling that in a perfect world Fitzgerald would earn a Best Actress nomination. Instead, she’ll have to settle for Stephen King calling the film “a clever masterpiece.”
This docudrama chronicling ABC Sports’ coverage of the terrorist attack at the 1972 Olympics in Munich is a gripping thriller. Despite the tragic outcome, performances from John Magaro, Peter Sarsgaard, Ben Chaplain and Leonine Benesch keep the film riveting from beginning to end. The story is a crucial reminder of journalism’s importance – when news outlets cared more about telling the truth than kowtowing to politicians.
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel from Colson Whitehead, this drama chronicles the friendship between Elwood (Ethan Herisse) and Turner (Brandon Wilson), two Black teenagers stuck in Nickel Academy – a horrific Florida reform school – during the Civil Rights era. RaMell Ross, director and co-writer (along with Joslyn Barnes), crafts a devastating story that lingers long after the end credits. I didn’t think much of the film at first, mostly because it’s like countless heartbreaking narratives we’ve seen before. However, I couldn’t shake the movie for days after the screening. The more I thought about it, the more I admired its audacity and compassion – especially considering the innovative way it’s shot.
Luca Guadagnino helms this scorching story (written by Justin Kuritzkes) about a tennis prodigy (Zendaya) who turns to coaching after a devastating injury. Her husband Art (Mike Faist) is a champion on a losing streak, so she devises a surprising strategy for his redemption: he’ll face off against his former best friend Patrick (Josh O’Connor). The characters are self-absorbed, but the film is electric and fascinating. Zendaya is stunning and she’s backed by equally strong work from Faist and O’Connor. Guadagnino’s frenetic directing style, along with Marco Costa’s editing, practically gave me an anxiety attack. What’s more, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ score is all-timer.
Military vet Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) enters Shelby Springs to post bail for his cousin, but town cops (David Denman and Emory Cohen) seize his life savings in a “perfectly legal” case of civil asset forfeiture. To save his cousin from imminent danger, he’s forced to go head-to-head with the local police chief (Don Johnson). He meets an unlikely ally in a local court clerk (AnnaSophia Robb) and the pair eventually find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy. I still can’t believe this incredible flick didn’t get a theatrical release. If so, it would’ve probably qualified for a bunch of awards. Pierre’s screen presence is undeniable and the exhilarating action sequences are well-choreographed. Although the film drags a bit in the middle and some might find the final scene frustrating, the actors keep Saulnier’s film constantly engaging.
An epic drama about a Holocaust survivor (Adrien Brody) staking his claim in America after World War II probably isn’t on most viewers’ must-see list. But those willing to spend 210 minutes in a theater (including intermission) will experience a thorough examination of the American Dream, complete with its promises and betrayals.
In this celebration of artistic healing, Divine G (Colman Domingo) has been imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. Over time, he finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other inmates, including a hesitant newcomer (Clarence Maclin). Director Greg Kwedar avoids the trauma porn usually found in movies about prison life. It doesn’t pretend those awful elements don’t exist but focuses instead on how these characters pretend to be people who live somewhere else. Domingo is incredible, but he ensures his co-stars also get to shine.
Although mainstream viewers didn’t get a chance to see this deeply unsettling thriller, it’s hitting Blu-Ray and VOD at just the right time for year-end viewing. Pascal Plante’s examination of our modern obsession with true crime features a terrifying performance from Juliette Gariépy, who should be a Best Actress contender. When it comes to international films, this one is by far my favorite of the year. That’s a weird statement considering the story’s disturbing nature.
Based on Peter Brown’s bestselling book, this animated adventure follows robot ROZZUM Unit 7134 (Lupita Nyong’o) – or Roz for short – who is stranded on an uninhabited island. As she adapts to her surroundings, she gradually builds relationships with the island’s animals and becomes the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling (Kit Connor). The gorgeous animation and lead performance from Nyong’o are the biggest selling points, but the supporting cast is also terrific. Pedro Pascal, Catherine O’Hara, Bill Nighy, Mark Hamill and Ving Rhames add depth to what could’ve easily been stock characters or unnecessary comic relief.
This raunchy, charming comedy centers on Ani (Mikey Madison), a Brooklyn sex worker whose life takes an unexpected turn when she meets the immature son (Mark Eidelshtein) of a Russian billionaire. When his parents hear the couple impulsively got married, they send their henchmen (Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan and Yura Borisov) to annul the union, setting off a chaotic night in New York City. Writer-director Sean Baker’s combination of Pretty Woman and Uncut Gems won the coveted Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and it’s easy to see why. The film will prove too raw for some, but those who can handle the sex, nudity, drug use and crude language will find a surprisingly tender heart beneath the vulgarity.
Honorable Mentions (in alphabetical order):
Conclave
Dune: Part Two
Flow
Ghostlight
Hit Man
Juror #2
Love Lies Bleeding
The Piano Lesson
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
Wicked
Reach out to Josh Sewell at joshsewell81@gmail.com
Comments
Post a Comment