Hollywood Reporter Critics Pick the Best Films of 2024

As a film critic with a background in cultural studies and a particular interest in the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality, I find myself deeply moved by the diverse and thought-provoking films that have graced our screens this year. The list compiled by Jon Frosch, Lovia Gyarkye, and others showcases an impressive array of stories that resonate with different aspects of my own experiences and identity.

In the year 2024, movies struggled to fully bounce back following the pandemic, with their recovery process being hampered significantly by a severely depleted pipeline due to extended writers’ and actors’ strikes from the previous year. This was particularly noticeable during the summer season, where new releases were scarce. However, the situation improved slightly with a surge of early-winter blockbusters like Wicked, Moana 2, and Gladiator II. Despite this, it appears that the overall box office earnings for the year will fall about half a billion dollars short compared to the revenues of 2023.

Animation studios are making a strong return, with highly anticipated sequels like “Inside Out 2”, “Despicable Me 4” and “Moana 2” expected to rank among the top films. Critics’ favorites such as “Flow” and “The Wild Robot” delve into themes of environmental hope and A.I. reassurance, drawing inspiration from the animal kingdom and robotics respectively. Additionally, the enchanting charm of stop-motion animation is back in productions like “Memoir of a Snail” and “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”.

The strong box office performance of movies like Deadpool & Wolverine shows that predictions of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s decline might be too soon. However, it appears that Hollywood is hesitant to take risks with new, original content, as only one out of the projected top 10 highest-grossing films this year isn’t a sequel or spinoff. The exception, Wicked, is based on a Broadway hit musical that has been cultivating its brand for an impressive 21 years.

The allure of horror films continued to captivate audiences on the stage, with “Longlegs” and “Smile 2” taking the lead, while “Nosferatu,” critically acclaimed, was set to make its appearance on Christmas Day. However, the specialty box office is still grappling with difficulties, as it seems that a majority of older audiences have firmly embraced streaming services for their entertainment needs.

An exceptional case bucking the general decline for mature content was the movie “Conclave,” which transformed a papal election into an engagingly suspenseful political drama, enriched by an exceptional ensemble cast featuring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini.

As a gamer diving into the world of movies, I’ve got to say that the lesser-known film “Sing Sing” truly stood out. Starring Colman Domingo in an exceptional performance as a member of a prison theater group, it was hard not to be captivated. The movie gains a deep, relatable authenticity through its casting of ex-prisoners who were part of a rehabilitation program. One actor, Clarence Maclin, left a lasting impression and could potentially make waves in the industry with his powerful portrayal.

One of the standout groups from this year’s performances was Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, and Elizabeth Olsen in “His Three Daughters.” Azazel Jacobs’ quirky, intimate production revolves around three half-sisters, somewhat estranged but reunited by their father’s impending demise. Each actress portrayed unique personalities, forced to find unity amidst sadness. The cast was exceptional, managing to steer clear of tired tropes often seen in indie grief dramas. This film, marked by biting humor as well as warmth, showcases a performance that’s as captivating as it is authentic.

Initially, promising signs pointed to a flourishing era for upcoming filmmaking prodigies. One standout was RaMell Ross’ creatively innovative and deeply moving interpretation of Colson Whitehead’s novel, “The Nickel Boys“, which delved into the harrowing experiences of two prisoners in a cruel reform school during the Jim Crow era in the South.

Notable debuts also featured Annie Baker’s enlightening reinterpretation of the mother-daughter drama, titled Janet Planet; India Donaldson’s captivating miniature portrait of a pivotal moment in a young woman’s maturation process, known as Good One; Sean Wang’s charming, semi-autobiographical Asian American coming-of-age story, called Didi; the compelling boxing drama by cinematographer Rachel Morrison, entitled The Fire Inside; and Vera Drew’s audacious unauthorized queer supervillain spoof, titled The People’s Joker.

Here’s my top 10 list, followed by another 10 titles that earned honorable mentions, as well as the recommendations from my esteemed colleagues, Lovia Gyarkye and Jon Frosch. — YOUR GAMER NAME HERE

In Payal Kapadia’s debut, Everything Seems Like Light:

2. In exploring themes of desire, longing, and poignant sensuality, director Luca Guadagnino excels in this transformative adaptation of the semi-autobiographical William S. Burroughs novel. Crafted by writer Justin Kuritzkes into a haunting retroactive ghost story, the film journeys from flirtatious cat-and-mouse games to passionate obsession, from tormenting addiction struggles to hallucinatory abstractness, ultimately unraveling as it descends into the depths of solitude. For an older gay man, this could be a modern depiction of the Stations of the Cross. In a captivating performance that’s both seductive and haunted, Daniel Craig delivers his finest work as Burroughs’ alter ego Lee, a junkie in post-WWII Mexico City. He’s a sophisticated lounge lizard adrift in his infatuation with a prep school American youth, portrayed by Drew Starkey with allure and mystery. Filmed on sets at the legendary Cinecittà Studios in Rome, Queer carries a dreamlike, almost unreal quality reminiscent of films made on soundstages and backlots, but its portrayal of yearning – for companionship, release, or escape – is raw and authentic.

3. The Magnificent Masterpiece:

4. Chimera: In “The Wonders” and “Happy as Lazzaro,” Alice Rohrwacher journeys through Italy’s past by exploring unique, seemingly miraculous communities that persist in the present. She concludes this informal trilogy with a lyrical, humorous, and oddly enchanting tale about a group of grave-robbers, known as “tombaroli,” who excavate Etruscan relics to sell for profit. Josh O’Connor delivers a remarkable performance as the melancholic Englishman they believe possesses mystical abilities to predict the future. He longs for a lost love whose eccentric mother Flora, brought to life with great vigor by Isabella Rossellini, still harbors hope that her daughter will return through the doors of their crumbling family villa. The affection shared between these characters imbues the hazy dreamlike quality of a movie filled with folklore, mythology, and superstition, subtly weaving the fine line between life and death.

5. Harsh Realities

One of the consistent strengths in Sean Baker’s films is his unwillingness to judge his most flawed, rough-around-the-edges characters, a trait evident in the lead character of Anora, played by Mikey Madison with endearing charm, shrewd practicality, and fierce determination when threatened. This gritty retelling of Cinderella, which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, drops us into a colorful underworld. The story unfolds as Anora impulsively marries Mark Eydelshteyn’s Ivan, a stoner man-child who is later revealed to be the son of a Russian oligarch. However, when his family sends enforcers to annul the marriage, Anora proves reluctant to cooperate. As the story progresses, the humor gives way to a poignant exploration of Anora’s hardships, particularly in her evolving relationship with Yura Borisov’s Igor, one of the Russian enforcers, who shows an unexpectedly kind side.

7. Flow

Titled “Still Here,” Walter Salles’ long-awaited return to Brazilian filmmaking offers a poignant, unromanticized perspective on the heart-wrenching true tale of Rubens Paiva, a former congressman who was seized from his Rio de Janeiro residence in 1971 for interrogation by the military regime and has not been seen since. With the junta unwilling to acknowledge his detention, his family grapples with debilitating doubt for years. However, this tragedy serves as a catalyst for Rubens’ wife Eunice, portrayed with stirring resilience, elegance, and quiet bravery by Fernanda Torres. Despite raising five children, she perseveres through college and earns a law degree at the age of 48, eventually becoming a relentless activist who champions the cause of acknowledging disappeared individuals like her husband following the restoration of democracy. To heighten the drama’s emotional impact, the aging, ailing Eunice is portrayed in later life by Torres’ mother, Fernanda Montenegro, a legendary star known for her memorable performance in Salles’ 1998 global breakthrough film, “Central Station.

Is there more blood to be drawn from the vampire legend that originated with Bram Stoker’s 1897 Gothic horror novel, Dracula? Robert Eggers answers this question emphatically with this personal project, which navigates the dark depths of F.W. Murnau’s 1922 silent masterpiece while forging its own spine-tingling path. Boasting some of the year’s most captivating visuals and lavish design elements, along with electrifying performances from Bill Skarsgard, Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, and Willem Dafoe, this film is certainly possessed. It envelops viewers in a suffocating atmosphere, foreboding tension, and unsettling sensuality, while surprising us with a mischievous streak of devilish humor. The stunning final shot will leave you breathless.

An Unexpected Emotional Journey

Shout-outs (in no particular order): I’ve also got to give a nod to some other fantastic games: Babygirl, Challengers, Dahomey, Emilia Pérez, Evil Does Not Exist, Green Border, The Nickel Boys, No Other Land, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, and Small Things Like These. Each one offers a unique gaming experience that I’ve enjoyed immensely!

Jon Frosch’s Top 10

1. Green Border
2. The Brutalist
3. All We Imagine as Light
4. A Real Pain
5. A Complete Unknown
6. Emilia Pérez
7. Babygirl
8. Juror #2
9. His Three Daughters
10. Hard Truths

Notable entries (listed in alphabetical sequence): Anora, The Beast, Contenders, Last Summer, Nickel Boys, No Other Land, Nosferatu, Neighboring Room, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Zurawski vs. Texas

Lovia Gyarkye’s Top 10

Here are some games that truly caught my eye (in no particular order):

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2024-12-13 17:55