Best Films of 2024: A Year of Bold Storytelling
2024 was an interesting, if not strange, year for cinema, with filmmakers pushing boundaries and telling stories that resonated deeply. Here are my top picks for the year, showcasing the diversity and creativity of storytelling on screen.
Wicked Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the long-anticipated adaptation of the Broadway sensation finally arrived, bringing the magical land of Oz to life on the big screen. With stunning visuals, soaring music, and nuanced performances, Wicked explores the untold story of the witches of Oz, revealing themes of friendship, power, and societal judgment. It’s a spellbinding experience that honors the stage production while carving its own identity. I am a HUGE fan of musicals and saw Wicked with the original cast on Broadway. The silver screen version did not disappoint. It’s fluffy but I loved it.
Emilia Pérez Directed by Jacques Audiard and starring Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, and Zoe Saldaña, this daring and unconventional story about a criminal-turned-transgender woman on the run is a genre-defying blend of drama, comedy, and action. It’s a heartfelt exploration of identity and redemption, anchored by a standout performance from its lead. Gascón is remarkable in this dual-gender role, and her co-stars are equally captivating.
Sing Sing Directed by Greg Kwedar and featuring Colman Domingo in a decisive role, Sing Sing is set against the backdrop of a real-life theater program in a maximum-security prison. This moving testament to the transformative power of art blurs the lines between fiction and reality, creating a profoundly impactful narrative. Domingo breathes passionate life into his character, and the ensemble cast shines.
Anora Directed by Sean Baker, Anora is an audacious, thrilling, and comedic variation on a modern-day “Pretty Woman” story. Mikey Madison captivates as Ani, a young exotic dancer from Brooklyn whose life takes an unexpected turn when she impulsively marries Vanya, the impetuous son of a Russian billionaire. When Vanya’s parents catch wind of the union, they send henchmen to annul the marriage, sparking a wild chase through the streets of New York. Baker’s Palme d’Or-winning film is a bold and exhilarating ride.
The Piano Lesson Directed by Malcolm Washington and featuring a stellar cast led by Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, and Danielle Deadwyler, The Piano Lesson delves into the generational struggle over a family’s treasured heirloom, a piano etched with their history. With masterful direction, the film captures the weight of legacy and the push-and-pull between honoring the past and forging a future. Deadwyler and Washington’s performances are particularly compelling.
The Substance Directed by Coralie Fargeat and starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, The Substance is a haunting exploration of human ambition and the ethical boundaries of science. Following a group of researchers whose groundbreaking discovery spirals into chaos, the film’s gripping tension and moral questions linger long after the credits roll.
The Brutalist Directed by Brady Corbet and starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce, The Brutalist is epic in scope and intimate in its character study. Escaping post-war Europe, visionary architect László Toth arrives in America to rebuild his life, work, and marriage to his wife Erzsébet after being forced apart during wartime by shifting borders and regimes. Settling in Pennsylvania, László’s talent catches the eye of wealthy industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren, whose patronage comes at a high cost. With breathtaking cinematography, the film is both visually stunning and emotionally profound.
Ghostlight Directed by Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, and a hit in its Sundance premiere, this Chicago-based independent movie is a showcase for its largely unknown cast of journeyman actors and for being the most human drama I have seen all year. Starring Keith Kupferer in an unforgettable performance as a husband and father who turns to a tiny local theater company to find himself again after a tragedy nearly tears his family apart, this movie earns its tears and even provides some laughs at the same time. It is a story about the power of community, renewal, love, and Shakespeare.
Challengers Directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor, is a gripping drama set in the high-stakes world of professional tennis. It follows the intertwined lives of three players as they navigate rivalry, ambition, and love. Challengers combines intense sports sequences with a profoundly human story, making it a standout of the year.
Fall Guy Directed by David Leitch and starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, is a high-octane action comedy that gives a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a Hollywood stuntman. With thrilling set pieces and sharp humor, it is an entertaining homage to the unsung heroes of the film industry. This type of film typically makes few lists, but Fall Guy is simply fun, and the stunts are AMAZING.
Others deserving a mention:
September 5 – Feature film
A Complete Unknown – Feature film
Conclave – Feature Film
A Real Pain – Feature film
Juror #2 – Feature film
Flow – Animated
The Wild Robot – Animated
Super/Man – The Christopher Reeve Story
Will and Harper – Documentary
From musicals and historical epics to intimate dramas and genre experiments, 2024’s best films offered something for every kind of movie lover but also left many scratching their heads. I find nailing down my 10 Ten a huge challenge every year.
Ten Worst Films of 2024
While the year brought incredible cinematic highs, it also delivered its share of disappointments. Admittedly, I saw far fewer bad than good films, but these stand out as the worst of what I did see. These ten films failed to live up to their potential or missed the mark entirely:
- Harold and the Purple Crayon – A beloved children’s book adaptation that fell flat with an overly simplistic and uninspired approach, failing to capture the original’s whimsy.
- Late Night with the Devil – Despite an intriguing setup, this horror-thriller was marred by inconsistent pacing and lackluster scares, leaving viewers underwhelmed.
- I Saw the TV Glow – An overly experimental narrative that became lost in its abstract ideas, resulting in a confusing and disengaging experience.
- Madam Web—This superhero film failed to weave a compelling story. Its convoluted plot and shallow character development have drawn criticism.
- Red One – Despite a star-studded cast, this holiday-themed action-comedy lacked the charm and wit to become a seasonal favorite.
- Night Swim – A by-the-numbers horror film that relies on overused tropes and predictable jump scares, offering little innovation and zero entertainment.
- Kinds of Kindness – A drama with noble intentions but dragged down by heavy-handed messaging and uneven execution.
- Dear Santa is a family film in which a child’s misspelled letter to Santa introduces Satan into the mix. However, the clever premise is wasted on a formulaic and forgettable execution.
- Nutcrackers – Ben Stiller’s attempt at a drama-comedy about an uncle inheriting his late sister’s boys is clunky and poorly balanced, struggling to find its tone.
- Mother of the Bride – This underwhelming comedy missed the mark with outdated jokes and lackluster performances, offering little to distinguish itself from similar films.