Best Films of the Year – 2024 (So Far)
Best Films of the Year – 2024 | Believe it or not, we’re halfway through 2024, so there’s no better time to go through ten of my favorite films of the year so far. Before launching in: it’s always tricky determining what year some films are released, so I have generally gone off wide release or if I was able to catch them on a festival run. So, some films may have had a limited release in 2023, but I couldn’t catch them, so they’re on this list. Similarly, a few films haven’t had a wide release yet, but I may have been able to catch them at Sundance, for example.
10. I Saw the TV Glow
I Saw the TV Glow is the second feature film from director Jane Schoenbrun. While it is more accessible than the first film, We’re All Going to the World’s Fair, it remains a bit of a niche project. It’s a film that really could only have been created by Schoenbrun. It is essentially an allegory about gender identity and dysmorphia, rooted in Schoenbrun’s own lived experience. As a result, it resonates deeply with some folks, and while it might not work for everyone, it is a really worthwhile project to watch, particularly when examined through that lens of gender. The film follows the main character as they discover their favorite show, The Pink Opaque, and start to see themselves in one of the characters in the show. Without going into spoiler territory, it veers into the surreal and is less about figuring out what is real and what isn’t, and more about sitting with the character and trying to put oneself in their shoes.
Full video review of I Saw the TV Glow
9. MaXXXine
MaXXXine is the final installment in the X trilogy from director Ti West. While it has received mixed reviews, it is a film that stands out. It holds true to some of the slasher influences of the first two projects but also sets out on its own path. It is gorgeous, with beautiful use of anamorphic lenses incorporating splashes of neon throughout, really leaning into this 80s retro aesthetic. While Mia Goth is not given as much here as she was in Pearl, she still delivers a strong performance. But really, MaXXXine is about having a good time, going along for the ride, and just being absorbed by the absolute chaos on screen.
8. Exhibiting Forgiveness
Exhibiting Forgiveness is a very personal story about an artist struggling to reconcile with his past. The film stars André Holland, John Earl Jelks, Andra Day, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. This is a Sundance film from Titus Kaphar that waited months and months to get a wide release and finally received a distribution deal, landing in theaters on October 18th. While Kaphar might not be a well-known name in the film world, he is a world-renowned painter, and Exhibiting Forgiveness is a semi-autobiographical tale about, as the name suggests, the journey of forgiveness. The lead character, played by Holland, goes through this journey with his father, determining whether he can forgive him for what he has done, particularly in his childhood. Interestingly, he uses his painting as part of this healing journey, mirroring what Kaphar did in real life. The film suggests that everyone’s journey to forgiveness is different, and there is no one right or wrong approach. It is a truly beautiful, meditative piece that could only have come from this director.
7. Didi – (DÌDI 弟弟)
Didi is a film from director Sean Wang, who was nominated last year for a short film based on his own grandmothers. He returns with his first feature, also rooted in his lived experiences as a Taiwanese American. It is a beautiful portrait of growing up in the 2000s, coming of age, and finding out who you are. While countless movies have explored these themes, few have captured this particular time period of the late 2000s so perfectly. This is attributable to Wang’s direction and Izaac Wang‘s performance, which delivers a nuanced portrayal of teenage angst, the push and pull between friend groups, family, and culture. His performance probably exceeded everyone’s expectations.
6. Thelma
Thelma is another Sundance film. It stars June Squibb, a 94-year-old woman in her first ever feature role, as she goes on a revenge trip to get back at the man who scammed her over the telephone. It is a hilarious concept, and Squibb is so good here. Initially, one might think that this is just a comedy with an off-the-wall concept, and it is hilarious, but it is so much more than that. It is an exploration of mortality, the inevitability of death, and the importance of keeping strong relationships, whether they are with intimate partners, family members, or friends. This is exemplified most clearly through Thelma’s relationship with her grandson, played by Fred Hechinger. Their bond is beautiful, and anyone who has seen the decline of a grandparent or parent will find this movie deeply moving. The film is based on director Josh Margolin‘s own grandmother, Thelma, and the scenes filmed in Thelma’s apartment were actually shot in her real apartment, adding another layer to the project.
5. Civil War
Civil War is one of the bigger films on this list, directed by Alex Garland. Garland, known for Ex Machina, delivers a film that transcends political binaries, focusing instead on humanity’s relationship with violence and division. He took a concept that could have been hyper-political and polarizing but made the conflict so general that it became less about left and right and more about our insatiable hunger for division. The story follows photojournalists, immersing the audience in the action through the use of a consumer camera, the Ronin 4D, which allows the audience to get up close and personal with the bloodshed. This technique makes the violence feel real and impactful.
Full video review of Civil War
4. Dune: Part Two
Dune: Part Two is another blockbuster film from director Denis Villeneuve. The visuals are, in classic Villeneuve fashion, absolutely gorgeous. This sequel is much more fast-paced than the first film, which was criticized for being slow and focused on world-building. Dune: Part Two is action-packed from start to finish, which will likely work well for most viewers. It appears that a third film, Dune: Messiah, is officially happening, which is exciting because Villeneuve’s dedication to this project is evident, and he has wanted to make it since he was a teenager. This film stands out with its breathtaking visuals and immersive storytelling. It captures the essence of the Dune universe while delivering intense action sequences that keep the audience engaged.
Full video review of Dune: Part Two
3. A Real Pain
A Real Pain comes from director and star Jesse Eisenberg. Eisenberg talked about this project at Sundance, highlighting his personal connection to the story, which elevates the film as a whole. The film is based on his real-life aunt, though in the film, it’s his grandmother, and her forced deportation from Poland as a Polish Jew during the Second World War. It’s not a Holocaust movie, but it uses the backdrop of this tragedy and real locations in Poland to provide a level of pain and trauma that contrasts with the individual’s seemingly smaller pains and traumas. Eisenberg stars alongside Kieran Culkin, who delivers a standout performance. Culkin’s portrayal of a character who appears to have everything together but is deeply broken and experiencing unresolved pain is heartbreaking and real. This film should be watched for Culkin’s performance alone.
Full video review of A Real Pain
2. All of Us Strangers
All of Us Strangers is a film from Andrew Haigh that is likely to bring viewers to tears. It stars Andrew Scott alongside Paul Mescal, both of whom deliver brilliant performances. The film uses surrealism and elements of the unreal to ground the story and make it even more real. It’s a delicate balance that few can pull off, but All of Us Strangers does it beautifully. The film explores reconciliation with one’s family, coming to terms with one’s identity, and the idea that despite growth and aging, one may never fully come to terms with who they are. There’s a particularly powerful scene where Andrew Scott’s character “visits” his deceased parents and has a simple yet profound conversation that many can relate to. The unspoken words between family members and the things we wish we had said are poignantly portrayed.
1. The Zone of Interest
The Zone of Interest is a film from Jonathan Glazer that is profoundly beautiful in many ways. Glazer has crafted something unique, with a stillness that moves at all the right times. The film initially comes across as an art project, using almost exclusively locked-off cameras. On set, Glazer placed cameras in select spots and did not move them, resulting in certain shots and angles, mostly wide-angle, to prevent overly humanizing the characters. This technique is tricky, as the film is sort of about members of the Nazi party and their family, making it challenging to avoid audience empathy for the main characters. Glazer adeptly uses these wider angles to have viewers be voyeurs, watching the unfolding events without direct engagement. The final scene of the film subverts this approach slightly, providing a thought-provoking and heart-wrenching conclusion that showcases Glazer’s brilliance in direction. | Best Films of the Year – 2024
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