As a film enthusiast with a background in media studies and a soft spot for underappreciated gems, I’ve had the pleasure of diving into this year’s crop of underrated movies. From the heartwarming to the horrifying, these films offer a unique perspective on life, love, and the absurdity that is Hollywood.
2024 turned out to be an extraordinary year for movie enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of films that catered to various tastes. For musical fans who also enjoy Broadway, treats like “Mean Girls” and “Wicked” were brought to life on the silver screen. Horror aficionados found their fill with unique offerings such as “Longlegs,” “Trap,” and “I Saw the TV Glow.” Marvel Comics enthusiasts eagerly anticipated the release of “Deadpool and Wolverine,” while sophisticated filmgoers frequented cinemas to watch “Challengers” and “Anora.
As a gamer, I often find myself seeking out hidden gems in the vast sea of video games that get overshadowed by popular titles. Similarly, there are numerous films from 2024 that didn’t receive as much recognition as the blockbusters and future Oscar contenders. Although they weren’t the worst movies of the year, these outstanding films faced poor box office returns, mixed reviews, and even controversy that tainted their releases. I can only hope that future audiences will come to appreciate these 15 underrated movies more than today’s audience did, as each one deserved far more attention than they unfortunately received.
Lisa Frankenstein
Looking back now, it wasn’t really unexpected that the movie “Lisa Frankenstein,” directed by Robin Williams’ daughter Zelda in her first attempt as a director and scripted by Diablo Cody (known for “Jennifer’s Body”), underperformed at the box office. Instead, it seems destined to become a cult classic, which is likely what those who gave positive reviews are predicting will happen.
“Lisa Frankenstein
Drive-Away Dolls
Known for their famous films like “Fargo” and “The Big Lebowski,” made with his brother Joel, Ethan Coen stands out. Yet, as the brothers parted ways to work individually in the 2020s, you can observe that Ethan’s humor from earlier productions reappears in “Drive-Away Dolls,” a crime comedy he co-wrote with his wife, Tricia Cooke. This film has been under development since the early 2000s. However, “Drive-Away Dolls” might not be as easy to watch for some audiences due to its ties to B-movies and the 1970s exploitation genre.
The movie titled “Drive-Away Dolls” shines primarily due to the captivating dynamic between its two leading actresses, Geraldine Viswanathan and Margaret Qualley, portraying lesbian best friends. Their journey to Tallahassee takes an unexpected turn when they’re drawn into a tangled web of crime, involving a high-ranking U.S. senator (Matt Damon), a secretive briefcase, and, let’s just say, a collection of adult-themed plaster molds. Despite underperforming at the box office, this film brims with infectious humor, making it one of the standout comedy movies of 2024 for those who give it a try.
Love Lies Bleeding
Initially, you might think “Love Lies Bleeding” is merely a romantic drama featuring Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brien. However, as the movie progresses, there’s a lot more depth to discover. Directed by Rose Glass, this film was distributed by A24, but it didn’t make a strong impact in cinemas during its early March release, reaching only 1,828 theaters across America before fading away by April’s end. It’s unfortunate because with better promotion and exposure, “Love Lies Bleeding” could have been one of the year’s most intriguing thrillers.
In a new role, Stewart portrays Lou, a gym supervisor who embarks on a passionate romance with homeless bodybuilder Jackie. However, it is later revealed that Lou has family ties to organized crime, which creates tension as Jackie becomes increasingly agitated due to steroid abuse. Despite a modest box office performance, the film has garnered positive reviews from critics, who praise it as an “underappreciated and undervalued gem in the early months of 2024,” commending both Stewart and O’Brien for their acting skills.
Monkey Man
Has there been an actor more underestimated than Dev Patel since his breakout performance in “Slumdog Millionaire”? Despite his impressive work in independent films, such as his Oscar-nominated role in “Lion” and Armando Iannucci’s “The Personal History of David Copperfield,” Patel seems to be undervalued. However, the actor’s directorial debut, “Monkey Man,” where he also takes on the lead role, might have been his most significant undertaking yet due to the numerous production setbacks it encountered, including injuries during filming and budget constraints that forced scenes to be shot using Patel’s smartphone.
Thanks to the backing of Jordan Peele, the movie “Monkey Man” was distributed by Universal Pictures and managed to earn $35 million against a small budget of $10 million, despite opening simultaneously with “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.” Notably, it is one of the top action movies of 2024, featuring Patel as an underworld fighter seeking vengeance for his mother’s murderer. This film demonstrates a strong potential to rival blockbusters such as “John Wick,” and offers insightful commentary on India’s caste system. Moreover, Patel is emerging as a promising director in the industry.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
It might come as a shock that “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” underperformed at the box office, but it’s not an exception in the “Mad Max” film franchise. In fact, its 2015 predecessor, “Mad Max: Fury Road,” is often hailed as one of the best action films ever made and even won several Oscars. However, it was not a financial success for Warner Bros either. The star-studded cast, featuring Anya Taylor-Joy, couldn’t quite pull in audiences to a nearly three-hour origin story about a character who resembled Charlize Theron the last time she was seen on screen.
Under the masterful direction of George Miller, “Furiosa” is a thrilling prequel to “Fury Road,” delving into Theron’s character’s rise to power as the Imperator of Immortan Joe. The captivating Anya Taylor-Joy shines in every scene she appears (despite not appearing until halfway through the film), and Chris Hemsworth impressively steals scenes with his charmingly eccentric portrayal of Dementus. However, the real fireworks occur when these two characters share screen time together. In a review for RogerEbert.com, “Furiosa” was aptly described as “an exciting popcorn movie filled with adventure and play,” making it worthy of a grand theatrical viewing experience.
Kinds of Kindness
2024 saw an unprecedented buzz surrounding the release of “Poor Things.” Emma Stone’s exceptional portrayal of Bella Baxter earned her a second Best Actress Oscar, strengthening her collaboration with director Yorgos Lanthimos. This partnership was further demonstrated in “Kinds of Kindness,” a film that brought together Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, among others. The movie presented a collection of strange, interconnected tales. These stories revolved around a man (Plemons) defying his boss (Dafoe), a husband (Plemons) questioning his wife’s (Stone) fidelity, and two cult followers (Stone and Plemons) on a quest to find a pair of twins (Qualley).
Critics found “Kinds of Kindness” quite severe in their reviews, with Time describing it as “stiff, slow-moving, and sleep-inducing,” despite attempting to surprise us with its unexpected twists. Many drew parallels between this film and “Poor Things.” The rapid release of Lanthimos films might have negatively impacted “Kinds of Kindness,” although other critics praised it as a creative departure from his earlier works. Regardless, the film is an enjoyable watch mainly because it presents the actors in drastically distinct roles, and they all deliver exceptional performances.
Sing Sing
The movie titled “Sing Sing” is expected to be a major contender at this year’s Oscars. This anticipation arises because A24 intends to bring the film back to theaters in January, as part of their campaign for the Academy Awards. However, during its initial cinema run last year, it managed to earn less than $3 million, both in limited and wide releases, in July and August of 2024 respectively. As we move towards awards season, there’s uncertainty about how “Sing Sing” will be received by mainstream viewers. If it does gain recognition, it would undoubtedly be well-deserved, as it stands out as one of the year’s most impressive and emotionally resonant films.
Titled “Sing Sing,” this film revolves around a maximum security prison famed for its arts-based rehabilitation program, where inmates put on stage performances. Remarkably, many of the actors in the movie are former prisoners who were transformed by the program, with Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin, a standout performer, portraying himself in his screen debut. This film is expected to leave a lasting impression, so if you haven’t yet become part of its fanbase, now could be the perfect time.
Dìdi
In recent times, many films have been made that share themes with “Dìdi,” such as Bo Burnham’s “Eighth Grade” and Jonah Hill’s “Mid90s.” However, what sets this film apart is its unique specificity. As the first full-length directorial work of Sean Wang, “Dìdi” blends an autobiographical account of Asian-American families with the challenges of adolescence in the social media age. Izaac Wang portrays Chris “Didi” Wang, a middle schooler who creates YouTube videos about skateboarding while dealing with his overbearing mother, Chungsing, played by Joan Chen.
The film titled “Dìdi” was only shown in a maximum of 435 cinemas and never managed to break into the top 10 during its screenings. However, it boasts rave reviews from outlets like IGN, who described it as the brighter, hopeful aspect of Bo Burnham’s ‘Eighth Grade,’ where the protagonist’s light at the end of the tunnel becomes more apparent once he overcomes his self-doubt. Here’s hoping that in the future, “Dìdi” will secure its place among the top coming-of-age movies worth watching.
Cuckoo
The movie titled “Cuckoo” faced some production hurdles due to Hunter Schafer’s schedule, causing its theater release to be pushed to 2024. Contrary to expectations, it wasn’t the year’s most buzzed-about horror film, but perhaps it deserves more attention. Unfortunately, it failed to recoup its $7 million budget at the box office and was removed from all theaters by Labor Day weekend. However, for those fortunate enough to catch it in theaters, “Cuckoo” offers an unusual, captivating experience.
In a nutshell, the story follows Gretchen, played by Schafer, a teenager who is unwillingly taken by her father (Marton Csokas) and stepmother (Jessica Henwick), together with her mute younger sister (Mila Lieu), to a remote Alpine hotel. While her father collaborates with the enigmatic owner, Herr König (Dan Stevens), on a new resort project, Gretchen starts to unearth the eerie happenings at this particular location. Although I won’t reveal the mystery for those who plan to watch it, The Hollywood Reporter has hinted that the film might have enough intrigue to attract some cult followership, as they put it, “it might just be quirky enough to garner some cult interest.
The Bikeriders
The movie titled “The Bikeriders” didn’t follow the usual path to the big screen. It initially premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in 2023, but its release was put on hold due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which lasted for an unspecified period. During this time, the distribution company, 20th Century Studios, passed the rights to Focus Features. This change affected the film’s promotion strategy, with Austin Butler being heavily marketed instead of Jodie Comer, who is actually the main star. Unfortunately, this approach didn’t resonate well with audiences, as the movie underperformed at the box office, earning just $35 million against its production budget of approximately $40 million.
It’s too bad that the movie “The Bikeriders” didn’t receive more acclaim, given its many appealing aspects. For instance, it boasts a talented ensemble cast with both rising stars like Comer, Butler, and Mike Faist, as well as established actors such as Tom Hardy and Michael Shannon. The story is based on real events, and it follows Kathy (played by Comer), the wife of biker gang member Benny (Butler). As Benny’s motorcycle gang spirals out of control, Kathy’s loyalties are put to the test. Despite mixed reviews, critics such as The Guardian praised Comer’s “outstanding performance,” characterized by her sharp vowels and captivating charm, and commended director Jeff Nichols for his “powerfully evocative” filmmaking style.
His Three Daughters
If “His Three Daughters” had been staged as a Broadway play instead of a film, it could have potentially garnered more widespread recognition among theater-going audiences. The story primarily centers on the trio of Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, and Elizabeth Olsen portraying estranged sisters who move back under one roof to care for their ailing father. Throughout their stay, they share laughter, arguments, settle old grievances, and eventually learn to forgive each other.
Despite receiving acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023 and promising reviews, such as ScreenCrush praising Lyonne’s performance as one of the best in recent memory, Netflix decided to delay its release until September 2024. Unfortunately, “His Three Daughters” had minimal theater screenings before becoming available on streaming services. This unfortunate turn of events is disappointing considering the widespread positive reviews the film has received. However, it seems unlikely that any of the three lead actresses will receive Oscar nominations for their exceptional performances.
Lee
As a dedicated fan, I’ve grown accustomed to the sight of Kate Winslet in period pieces, especially those set during World War II. But when you throw Andy Samberg, a comedic genius known for his stellar work on “Saturday Night Live,” into the mix, it elevates the anticipation to new heights. The film “Lee,” which premiered at TIFF in 2023 and hit theaters a year later in 2024, was one such intriguing pairing.
In the film, “Winslet” portrays Lee Miller, an acclaimed war photographer during World War II who, alongside journalist David Scherman (Samberg), snapped some of the most impactful images from devastated Europe. The ensemble boasts a wealth of talent, featuring Josh O’Connor, Marion Cotillard, and Alexander Skarsgård among others. Critics have applauded it as a potent homage to a strong figure in history, with both Winslet and first-time director Ellen Kuras receiving high praises.
My Old Ass
The touching and humorous coming-of-age film titled “My Old Self” is the creation of writer-director Megan Park, whose 2021 debut “The Fallout” was widely acclaimed as a thoughtful depiction of school shootings. A shift in tone from her previous work, “My Old Self” opts for a more comedic approach, featuring Maisy Stella making her feature film debut as Elliott, a young woman preparing for college who meets her older self (played by Aubrey Plaza) following her first experience with mushrooms.
Viewers can expect an emotional journey with “My Old Ass,” which opted for another streaming release instead of hitting theaters widely. Following its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in early 2024, The Hollywood Reporter noted that it has the same impact as “Toy Story 3” in stirring deep emotions among grown-up viewers, particularly those who can relate to leaving home and saying goodbye to childhood. If you’ve been yearning for a film in 2024 to bring on the tears, then don’t miss out on watching “My Old Ass” on your Prime Video account.
The Substance
As a devoted admirer, I’d like to express that Coralie Fargeat, though she hails from France, has an uncanny understanding of the traps embedded in American consumerism as evident in her masterpiece, “The Substance.” At first glance, this film might appear as a hyperbolic critique of celebrity lifestyles, featuring Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle, a veteran actress who gets ousted from her successful aerobics TV show in favor of fresher… well, faces. However, beneath the surface, this satire metamorphoses into a gory, shocking body horror movie that is bound to leave everyone astonished.
Through administering an alarmingly youth-inducing concoction, Elizabeth generates a younger, more alluring replica of herself in Sue (Margaret Qualley), who swiftly takes over Elizabeth’s former lifestyle. In comparison to other films on this list, “The Substance” has surprisingly done well at the box office; however, the grotesque bodily transformations portrayed may be a turn-off for several viewers. Although some anticipate “The Substance” might receive recognition at the Oscars for its makeup and hairstyling, similar to 1986’s “The Fly,” it wouldn’t come as a shock if it is disregarded by the very Hollywood elite it criticizes.
Saturday Night
There’s just too much untold history about “Saturday Night Live” to fit into a single 90-minute film. Fortunately, Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night” doesn’t strive for that, focusing instead on the turbulent time frame leading up to the premiere of the first episode of “SNL,” filled with production glitches, network tension, rebellious actors, and doubt. The biggest challenge this movie faced was locating a cast capable of portraying the legendary comedians of the 1970s, which it achieved by choosing promising newcomers like Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner and Matt Wood as John Belushi.
Fundamentally speaking, the movie “Saturday Night” places Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels, attempting to manage his creation amidst challenges from producer Dick Ebersol (Cooper Hoffman) and executive David Tebet (Willem Dafoe). Some viewers argue that the film overly idolizes the history of “SNL,” potentially offering a rollercoaster ride rather than a profound examination of the characters. However, it undeniably delivers an exciting ride that will undoubtedly captivate dedicated “SNL” enthusiasts who enjoy witnessing the hectic behind-the-scenes action leading up to the show’s production.
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2024-12-08 00:31