Emma Stone’s 2024 Hits: 5 Must-See Movies & Shows She Produced

Actress Emma Stone has been a consistent presence in Hollywood for quite some time, gaining immense popularity through comedies such as “Superbad” (2007) and “Easy A” (2010). She further cemented her place in the industry with numerous other roles, ultimately earning two Academy Awards for Best Actress – one for “La La Land” in 2017 and another for “Poor Things” in 2024. Stone, however, is not just a screen star; she’s also making waves as a creative force behind the scenes.

In 2020, Emma Stone and her partner Dave McCary (a writer and director for Saturday Night Live, whom she met while hosting the show back in 2016) established a production company named Fruit Tree. They also enlisted producer Ali Herting as part of their team and secured a two-year first-look television contract with A24. Since its launch, Fruit Tree has been responsible for numerous TV and film projects, many of which have received exceptional praise. Some of their most successful works were released in 2024.

Problemista

Problem Solver, one of the outstanding indie films of 2024, was a collaborative project between Fruit Tree and the multi-talented Julio Torres, who served as writer, director, co-producer, and lead actor. Drawing inspiration from Torres’ personal experiences such as immigration to the U.S. and toy design, the dreamlike comedy-drama tells the story of a young aspirant toy designer named Alejandro, who emigrates from El Salvador to New York. After being turned down by Hasbro and having his toy concepts pilfered, Alejandro is compelled to urgently secure another job to prevent losing his work visa.

In the end, he lands a position at a cryogenics firm called FreezeCorp, taking care of the frozen corpse of a celebrated artist known as Bobby. Unfortunately, a mishap leads to him being let go from this job, leaving him in the hands of Bobby’s wife, Elizabeth (played by Tilda Swinton), who is an eccentric and merciless socialite. After overcoming numerous challenges, including a highly toxic work environment, Alejandro eventually manages to forge a bond with Elizabeth and achieves his own success.

An Acclaimed Indie Comedy with Tilda Swinton

The response to the film “Problemista” was incredibly favorable, garnering widespread acclaim for its striking and captivating visuals, incisive social commentary on power dynamics, and Tilda Swinton’s powerful portrayal. This film found a place on NPR’s top movies and TV of 2024 list and was nominated for multiple awards. On the A24 podcast “Uncut,” Stone and Torres shared their insights about working on this project. When discussing his debut as a director with such a deeply personal production, Torres expressed that the process didn’t feel intimidating because he felt like he had struck it rich by having these talented individuals to work with on his first film.

Despite her intimidating fame, he held great respect for Tilda Swinton while working together on the film. Surprisingly easy-going and collaborative, she made him feel at ease right away. As he put it, “I found out that she’s all about teamwork, unpretentious, and simply loves to act.” The playful dynamic between their characters adds one of the most captivating elements in this intricately layered film.

The Curse

The first (and likely the only) season of the satirical black comedy thriller “The Curse” aired on Showtime from October 2023 to January 2024. Developed and penned by Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie, who also appear in it alongside Emma Stone, this series chronicles the lives of newlyweds Whitney (Stone) and Asher (Fielder). Their unique venture is a show on HGTV called “Fliplanthropy,” where they endeavor to construct eco-friendly homes in New Mexico.

The situation turns out to be more complicated than anticipated, revealing concerns about gentrification, cultural misappropriation, and economic systems. Meanwhile, Asher attributes their struggles in private matters to a supposed curse cast by a young girl following an embarrassing misunderstanding.

Cringe to the End

The basis for The Curse stemmed from a true event in Fielder’s life when he first resided in L.A. in 2009. Upon encountering a woman who asked for money and found himself without cash to oblige, she cast a curse upon him. Feeling obligated to withdraw $20 from an ATM and return the money to the woman, thereby lifting the curse. In a conversation with IndieWire, Fielder elaborated, “We began brainstorming around that notion, considering, ‘What if that atmosphere persisted throughout an entire series?’

The comedy-drama series, “The Curse“, is overflowing with peculiarity, maintaining a high level of humor against unease throughout its entirety. From its intriguing start to its thought-provoking conclusion, which leaves viewers both literally and symbolically divided, the show has garnered significant attention. Boasting a remarkable 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and featuring on numerous “best of” lists post-debut, this production even caught the eye of Christopher Nolan (director of Safdie in the upcoming film “Oppenheimer“). During a Q&A moderated by Showtime, Nolan praised the creators, stating, “Rarely do shows emerge that break new ground. … Bravo on an exceptional series that offers something unique and fresh on television.

Fantasmas

In this article, I’m sharing my thoughts on the extraordinary HBO series titled “Fantasmas,” produced by Fruit Tree. As a fan, I had the pleasure of witnessing Julio Torres’ ingenious work on this project he penned, directed, and starred in. True to form, it delves into the absurd, with me, as Torres, embarking on a quest to validate my existence within an alternate universe. Along the way, I encounter a cast of fantastical characters, such as Steve Buscemi portraying the letter Q, Julia Fox playing Mrs. Claus, Tilda Swinton voicing water, and many more talented actors like Dylan O’Brien, Natasha Lyonne, Rachel Dratch, among others, in various roles. Essentially, it blends elements of a fractured sketch show with a fanciful tale, making it a truly unique six-episode series that has solidified Torres as an industry “visionary.

Phantoms, too, boasts a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been recognized with two Independent Spirit Award nominations for the year 2025. Defying all expectations, this production triumphs over obstacles: amid flashbacks, brief scenes, unexpected turns, and a reality that perpetually alters, Torres skillfully crafts a consistent storyline that leaves viewers both amused and perhaps reflecting on their own perspective of the world (particularly if they are immigrants).

I Saw the TV Glow

In simpler terms, “I Saw the TV Glow” is a psychological horror film penned and directed by Jane Schoenbrun. This movie features Justice Smith and Jack Haven as distressed teenagers who share an extraordinary bond with their beloved television series, “Pink Opaque.” The show centers around two psychic teenagers battling against a villain named Mr. Melancholy. As the characters grapple with their personal struggles and family issues, they also face the cancellation of this program. Over time, it becomes evident that the boundary between fact and fiction has become indistinct for both characters – one character is convinced they’re dwelling in the realm of “Pink Opaque,” while another might be undergoing a mental breakdown.

A Perfect Script Got Emma Stone’s Attention

Schoenbrun started working on the project titled “I Saw the TV Glow” as they transitioned and underwent hormone replacement therapy. While the story doesn’t explicitly discuss themes of gender identity, its creator considers it an allegory for the transgender experience – a disconnect between one’s identity and reality. Actress Emma Stone was instantly drawn to the script, and all six studios approached with it made offers. For those millennials seeking an emotionally intense viewing experience, “I Saw the TV Glow” is now available for streaming on Max.

A Real Pain

An Unpleasant Journey

The recent production by Emma Stone and Dave McCary’s Fruit Tree studio is a buddy dramedy penned and helmed by Jesse Eisenberg. This film, titled An Unpleasant Journey, centers around two Jewish-American cousins portrayed by Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin. They embark on a trip to Poland in memory of their deceased grandmother, where they delve into their heritage. However, their contrasting personalities — one being the reserved family man and the other the chatty irritant — lead to frequent disagreements, making their journey even more challenging.

During their travels to concentration camps, visits to their grandmother’s home, and shared moments smoking marijuana, these men gradually reveal their personal hardships in a bid to heal their strained bond.

Kieran Culkin’s Acclaimed Performance

In the production of “A Real Pain“, both Eisenberg and Culkin faced personal challenges. Initially, Eisenberg grappled with casting Culkin, an Irish Catholic, as a Jewish character. However, he was persuaded by those close to him that Culkin would excel in the role, and he acknowledges Culkin for helping bring to life a story that resonates deeply with him. On the other hand, Culkin nearly withdrew from the project due to apprehensions about taking on another demanding role post-“Succession” and missing his family. Fortunately, Stone (who was in a relationship with Culkin between 2010 and 2011) managed to persuade him to persevere.

The Movie Known as “A Real Pain” received a staggering 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and garnered an impressive 152 award nominations, taking home 66 of them. Among these accolades was a Golden Globe for Culkin, who drew widespread acclaim for his acting prowess. Notably, he became the third actor ever to win Best Supporting Actor awards from the four most esteemed American film critic groups. Culkin is also nominated for the 2025 Oscar in the same category, while Eisenberg is up for Best Original Screenplay. The film’s success has been widely celebrated by critics and industry professionals alike, reinforcing Fruit Tree’s knack for selecting excellent projects. With such a strong history of productions, we eagerly anticipate what they will unveil next.

2025-02-09 23:36