Whew! Better late than never, right?
Here are my 19 picks for movies released in 2024 that are well worth the watch, leading up to my favorite film (and film score) from 2024. Enjoy!
The Substance
THIS MOVIE RULES! Coralie Fargeat creates a reality where an aging celebrity decides to take a black market drug that can replicate a younger, “better” version of herself. I don’t want to say anything else about the plot. I just want you to sit down and watch it. Demi Moore is taking the plunge. At times, this film is disgusting, sad, and hilarious. You should watch it with others so you can all squeal and laugh uncomfortably together. Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid are captivating and revolting, each in their own ways, but it’s Moore who truly makes the film.
Good One
In Good One, a father takes his daughter, Sam, on a backpacking trip in the Catskill mountains, bringing along his best friend, whose son backs out of the trip at the last minute. While hiking in the woods, both fathers can’t help but compare and compete with each other as parents and husbands. The one thing they both agree on is that Sam, played by Lily Collias, is a “good one.” I won’t say anything more about the film’s plot, only that India Donaldson’s film stayed with me a very long time after I had finished watching it.
Love Lies Bleeding
I’ve been a fan of Katy M. O'Brian since her stint on The Mandalorian. Her steely performance was captivating. In Love Lies Bleeding, O’Brian’s character, Jackie, is just as ambitious, pursuing her dream of becoming a professional bodybuilder. Combine Jackie’s desire with the full-on-grimy-super-G-A-Y-with-a-Capital-G performance by Kristen Stewart as Lou, a gym manager with a shady family, and you’ve got yourself a movie! The thing is, there’s enough to this film focusing on the relationship between Stewart and O’Brian alone, but Rose Glass doesn’t leave it at that. Along with sex and graphic violence, Glass throws in some magical realism into her noir that really packs a punch. Ed Harris also rocks some extremely amazing “bad” hair.
Problemista
Julio Torres directs and stars in this hilarious and often deliberately challenging film, along with a career-best performance by Tilda Swinton. Torres plays Alejandro, an immigrant from El Salvador with a life-long desire to become a toy designer in the United States. He comes to New York, but after losing his job, needs someone to sponsor him for his work visa to stay in America. Swinton plays Elizabeth, an art dealer who may be one of the worst (or best) people to work for since Meryl Streep played Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. This movie is hilarious but also surprisingly heartfelt. I couldn’t wait to watch it again.
I Saw the TV Glow
I was captivated by the trailer for Jane Schoenbrun’s film, I Saw the TV Glow, months before I finally watched it. The film’s color palette, the cover of Broken Social Scene’s “Anthems for a Seventeen Year‐Old Girl,” and the way the fictional TV Show “The Pink Opaque” looked like a combination of Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Pete & Pete, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer all rolled into one had me pumped for watching this film. There’s a clip during the trailer where Justice Smith’s character, Owen, says to Jack Haven’s character, Maddy, “It’s just the suburbs!” that left me reacting with: “Muah! Chef’s Kiss!” Schoenbrun doesn’t neatly wrap up their story with a happy ending, but I didn’t mind; this film is about the journey, not the end. The movie stayed with me long after I finished watching it, making me think about experiences in my life when I felt “other” but did not know why or what that meant. Despite Owen’s journey bringing me to tears, Schoenbrun’s film also gave me immense hope. I’m extremely excited to see what they do next.
Civil War
Alex Garland’s film about two journalists and two photographers road-tripping across a war-torn America, documenting the political unrest during a civil war really hit home. Devs fans get to see Stephen McKinley Henderson and Cailee Spaeny reunited, and I loved every minute of it. Spaeny has been killin’ it with her film choices. She is one to watch, but the film hinges on Kirsten Dunst’s performance as veteran war photographer Lee Smith, proving that she still has the juice! This film would not work without her. Ya boi, Wagner Moura also quietly steals the show from time to time with his charisma and heartfelt performance. In my humble opinion, Moura needs to be cast in more movies as the lead. Please, Hollywood. Please.
The Wild Robot
Lupita Nyong'o voices Roz the Robot + foxy comedic Pedro Pascal + Kit Connor as an orphan duckling (I already loved Connor’s voice work in His Dark Materials) + Peter Brown’s beautiful story creates a truly heartfelt film about family and parenthood that made me cry. This movie has beautiful animation and an even more gorgeous score, and did I mention it made me cry? Chris Sanders did good, my friends. Watch it now.
Flow
This beautiful film builds empathy without having anything narrated or overly explained. I loved it. I loved its characters. And with an Oscar win for Best Animated Feature Film, I hope more people will watch it - with or without their own furry friends.
Smile 2
I enjoyed Smile, but Smile 2 is AWESOME. Naomi Scott plays Skye Riley, the fictional popstar I wanted to see in M. Knight Shyamalan’s Trap. Lukas Gage kills it (literally) again in his short but sweet role. My only complaint? Not enough Kyle Gallner.
Nickel Boys
Nickel Boys made me sob. I mean it. Like, really, really sob. I had not read Colson Whitehead’s novel, nor had I even heard the premise of the story before watching the film. I was not prepared. RaMell Ross is a supremely innovative filmmaker, and his unique way of presenting the story works. The film’s central performers - Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Ethan Herrisse, & Brandon Wilson are all amazing. The film should have been nominated for Best Cinematography. Watch it and then prove to me otherwise.
Lisa Frankenstein
Kathryn Newton, man. Brava. While I also really enjoyed her supporting role in the 2024 film Abigail (“Sammy, those are f*ckin’ onions!), her performance as the titular Lisa Frankenstein truly stands out in this Diablo Cody-penned script directed by Zelda Williams (daughter of the late Robin Williams). This movie is very tongue-in-cheek and it evokes John Hughes-meets-Tales from the Crypt. Cole Sprouse (best known as Jughead from the CW’s Riverdale) does an excellent job with very little dialogue. He and Newton have great chemistry and flex their physical comedic chops throughout the film. The movie also features hot Carla Gugino as an evil stepmother. What more could you want? Check it out now. You can read my full spoiler-free review of Lisa Frankenstein here.
La Chimera
While it got a limited release for the awards season at the end of 2023, Alice Rohrwacher’s film is a gem that was not widely released until 2024. Josh O’Connor plays Arthur, a smooth-talking, crumpled dirt bag of an Englishman with a gift for finding lost things (of great value) in this story about a group of grave-robbers looking for their next big archaeological find. It features a wonderful supporting performance by Isabella Rossellini as Flora, an aging singer extraordinaire with a soft spot for Arthur; however, it’s Carol Duarte who almost steals the show from O’Connor as Italia, Flora’s voice student. Italia recognizes Arthur as the con man that he is, but she can’t help falling for his charms as he searches for more buried treasures. The two have great chemistry (and might I add that O’Connor speaks Italian for almost the entire film). The film paints a portrait of grief in a way I haven’t seen before, and it haunted me long after I survived its devastating conclusion.
Perfect Days
Perfect Days is totally a vibe, and I am here for it. While technically made in 2023, it was not released in the United States until 2024. Wim Wenders' film is about a man, Hirayama (Kôji Yakusho), who cleans public toilets in Tokyo for a living, but despite his tedious work, he seems to have figured out how to truly live. He reads, listens to great music, and enjoys nature and photography. But when his estranged niece shows up on his doorstep, it breaks his peaceful routine and makes him reflect upon and examine his life in great detail.
Nosferatu
Robert Eggers and his frequent collaborator in cinematography, Jarin Blaschke, have created a visually stunning remake of the classic story of Nosferatu / Dracula, proving that their attention to detail and authenticity in world-building is breathtaking. The cast is fantastic – but in particular, the film’s triumvirate of Ellen, Thomas, & Count Orlok (played by Lily Rose-Depp, Nicholas Hoult, and Bill Skarsgård respectively) are absolutely killing it in the film (both literally and figuratively). Willem Dafoe also has a grand ol’ time and provides some moments of much-needed levity.
Anora
Mikey Madison deserves all the praise she has received for her performance in Anora. Sean Baker’s latest film would not be what it is without her. Baker definitely brings his A-game. Anora is by far his most polished work with outstanding supporting performances, not only from Oscar-nominated Yura Borisov but also from a long-time Sean Baker regular: Karren Karagulian. Anora received 5 Oscars at the 97th Academy Awards: Best Film Editing, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, Best Actress for Mikey Madison, and Best Picture. If that’s not enough of an endorsement to check it out then I don’t know what is.
Longlegs
Maika Monroe may be my favorite final girl, but Nic Cage is my favorite wild card. I’m ready for whatever he dishes out, and dish it out he does in Longlegs. I know some people love this film. Many hated it. I was in the former. I loved Nic Cage doing his best T. Rex impression, creepy dolls, “nuns,” and the film’s grainy seventies color palette. I’m ready for whatever Osgood Perkins does next, even if he decides to resurrect David Kidney from Legally Blonde. Count me in.
Dune: Part Two
MY SWEET DENIS!!! Why has the Academy forsaken thee??? Villeneuve was not given the awards recognition he truly deserved for Dune: Part Two. Dune is great, but Part Two goes above and beyond. Zendaya slam dunks with her performance as Chani, and Timmy Timmy Chalamet delivers a MOVIE STAR performance as Paul Atreides, aka LISAN AL GAIBBBBBB, (honestly, there would be no Bob Dylan performance without Denis’ Dune franchise. Part Two gives the audience pause as they ponder, “What if the main character grows up to be, um, a bad guy?” I can’t wait to watch Villeneuve’s epic Part Three.
Sing Sing
COL-MAN! COL-MAN! COL-MAN! In my heart of hearts, I wanted Colman Domingo to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture. Sing Sing is a beautiful film with a career standout performance by Domingo. Domingo, (along with veteran actor Paul Raci), are really the only professional actors amongst a group of real-life formerly incarcerated men who were themselves alumni of the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison. Clarence Maclin, aka Clarence “Divine Eye,” almost steals the show from Domingo, which is really saying something. I hope Sing Sing opens doors for Maclin to get cast in future leading roles and much success because he truly deserves it.
The Brutalist
The Brutalist is a film of epic scale (and not just because of its runtime). When I watched it in theaters I was blown away, not only by Adrien Brody’s performance, but by the stunning look of the film itself. Brody’s been a bit of a rapscallion in Hollywood for years now, but there’s no denying the strength of his performance in this film. The movie would not be the same without him. Brady Corbett, Mona Fastvold, and cinematographer Lol Crawley, along with Daniel Blumberg’s incredible score, have created a stunning film with an equally devastating story. It’s the type of movie we don’t see much anymore, and it should be seen on the biggest screen possible.
My Number 1 Film of 2024: Challengers
My favorite movie of 2024 is Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers. I kept comparing it with every other extremely well-made or moving film that I saw throughout 2024 (e.g. Nickel Boys, The Brutalist, The Substance), to see if another film pushed it out of my “number one spot,” but I kept returning to Guadagnino’s thriller written by the potions-seller himself, Justin Kuritzkes. It features two of my favorite performances by Zendaya and Josh O’Connor to date. Mike Faist is nothing to shake a stick at either, mind you, and it was often his scenes as Art Donaldson with O’Connor as Patrick Zweig that most delighted me. Zendaya delivers a powerhouse adult performance as Tashi Duncan, a young tennis prodigy who must pivot to coaching once she is injured and her tennis dreams are dashed. Also,...THIS SCORE SHOULD HAVE WON AN OSCAR! Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross deliver the score of a lifetime. IT IS THAT GOOD. I am still angry that they did not even get nominated despite winning the Golden Globe for Best Score. This film is fun and funny, but it’s also extremely tense. The way the physical game of tennis is portrayed grabs you and doesn’t let you go until the film’s amazing climax. If you haven’t seen it yet, watch it now. Then throw the soundtrack/score on for good measure. You’re welcome, friends.
Til’ next year…
Diana DiMuro
Besides watching TV and movies, Diana likes plants, the great outdoors, drawing, reading comics, and spending time with her kitties. She has a BA in English Literature and is an art school dropout. She and her partner Mike Burdge, opened Story Screen Cinema in Hudson, NY in June 2024. You can follow her on Instagram @dldimuro and Twitter @DianaDiMuro
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