A continent's cinematic struggle
As we approach the end of 2024, the year has already gifted us a wide array of cinematic gems, each offering something unique, from genre-defying thrillers to poignant dramas. With a variety of voices, styles, and storytelling, filmmakers have captivated audiences across the globe, leaving an indelible mark on both critics and audiences alike. Many of these films are poised to make waves at next year's Oscars, solidifying their place in the year's most memorable cinematic moments.
So click on to discover the best movies of the year, so far.
Edward Berger's 'Conclave,' adapted from Robert Harris's novel, blends gripping drama with high-stakes intrigue. Ralph Fiennes excels as a conflicted cardinal navigating Vatican power plays amid escalating tensions and looming outside turmoil.
Coralie Fargeat's 'The Substance' delivers visceral, feminist horror as Demi Moore's fading starlet spawns chaos after taking a mystery serum. Gore meets humanity in this sharp critique of Hollywood's sexist sidelining of aging women.
'Challengers' by Luca Guadagnino is a steamy, tennis love triangle with Zendaya shining as an ex-prodigy channeling her ambitions through her husband, alongside stellar performances from Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor.
This musical extravaganza dazzles with epic runtime, heartfelt empowerment, snappy choreography, and Stephen Schwartz's timeless songs, bringing bliss to Broadway fans.
'Dune: Part Two' shifts focus to Zendaya's Chani, whose fierce heart grounds the epic. Opposite Timothée Chalamet's Paul, this stunning saga blends human drama with rebellion, political intrigue, and sweeping sci-fi spectacle.
Saoirse Ronan delivers a transcendent performance in 'The Outrun,' portraying a woman rebuilding her life in the Orkney Islands after addiction. The film explores themes of control, nature, and the fragility of recovery.
Pedro Almodóvar's first full-length English-language film is an extravagant, engrossing mystery, featuring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton in captivating performances.
Chris Sanders's animation adapts Peter Brown's book into a heartwarming, visually unique tale of a task-driven robot (voiced by Lupita Nyong'o) learning motherhood. Its striking art and emotional depth create an unforgettable family film.
Sean Baker's Palme d’Or-winning 'Anora' blends comedy and tragedy, with Mikey Madison playing an exotic dancer in New York entangled in a grim adventure. The film explores dignity, social struggles, and the sorrowful beauty of its conclusion.
This film blends noir, sci-fi, and comedy, starring Sebastian Stan as a struggling actor with a facial disfigurement whose life changes after experimental treatment removes his tumors, leading to a transformative encounter with Adam Pearson's Oswald, who has the same condition.
Kazik Radwanski's 'Matt and Mara' focuses on a female lead, played by Deragh Campbell, exploring her marriage, career insecurities, and complex relationships with subtle, realistic conversations.
A tense thriller by Jeremy Saulnier, this pic follows a military vet (Aaron Pierre) and law clerk (AnnaSophia Robb) fighting a corrupt police force.
Earning a 10-minute ovation at the Venice Film Festival, 'I'm Still Here' is a Brazilian drama starring Fernanda Torres and Selton Mello. Set in 1970s Rio, it follows a family's joy shattered by Brazil's military dictatorship, exploring themes of love, loss, and resilience.
In 'Trap,' M. Night Shyamalan brings fun to dark themes, featuring girl dad and occasional serial killer Josh Hartnett, who attends a pop concert with his superfan daughter, only to discover it's a trap to catch him. The film blends dark themes with playful, heartfelt moments.
George Miller's 'Furiosa' follows the young Furiosa's (Anya Taylor-Joy) journey from innocence to hardened survivor, kidnapped by Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). A thrilling, action-packed prequel exploring survival and loss in the Mad Max universe.
'Thelma' follows a 94-year-old woman (June Squibb) on a quest to recover US$10,000, blending humor and heart while exploring themes of resilience and the passage of time.
In Richard Linklater's 'Hit Man,' philosophy lecturer Gary (Glen Powell) becomes a fake assassin, exploring self-identity and stardom in a film that blends humor, existential questions, and deconstructed fantasy.
Based on a true story, Kate Winslet stars as Lee Miller in this World War II biopic, highlighting her unique perspective on photography's power dynamics and her empathetic war correspondence.
'Love Lies Bleeding' delivers a neon-noir thriller. Kristen Stewart and Katy O'Brian shine as a gym manager and a homeless bodybuilder in this twisted queer love story.
Sean Wang's debut is a tender, frank portrayal of adolescence. The film follows 13-year-old Chris (Izaac Wang) navigating his awkward summer, while Joan Chen delivers a standout performance as his struggling, resilient mother.
David Leitch's action-comedy stars Ryan Gosling as a stunt double who becomes embroiled in a missing person’s case. The chemistry between Gosling and Emily Blunt adds both humor and unexpected romance.
Steve McQueen's World War II epic showcases London's devastation during the Nazi bombing. Saoirse Ronan and Elliott Heffernan bring emotional depth to this visceral story of a mother and son.
In Zoë Kravitz's directorial debut, two waitresses are invited to a billionaire's island where tension and disturbing twists unfold. Strong performances by Naomi Ackie and Channing Tatum elevate this gripping thriller.
This supernatural thriller, featuring Maika Monroe as an FBI agent, blends serial killer procedural with haunting horror. While not as terrifying as expected, it's a chilling film by Nicolas Cage and Osgood Perkins.
'The Idea of You,' starring Anne Hathaway, turns a fun premise about a middle-aged woman falling for a younger singer into a poignant love story with genuine chemistry and heart.
Dev Patel directs and stars in 'Monkey Man,' a relentless revenge thriller about a country boy's quest to take down a corrupt Mumbai elite. His debut blends intense action with impactful social commentary.
Directed by Arkasha Stevenson, this prequel to 'The Omen' (1976) is a moody horror film set in 1971. It follows a novitiate who discovers a disturbing connection between an orphan and the anti-Christ.
Clint Eastwood's 40th film, a sharp courtroom thriller starring Nicholas Hoult, is a gripping drama about guilt. It's considered to be Clint's best work in years.
Hugh Grant delivers a captivating performance as a sinister villain in 'Heretic,' a gripping A24 horror-thriller. Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, it blends chilling moments with thoughtful critiques of faith and exploitation.
Jane Schoenbrun's 'I Saw the TV Glow' blends horror and drama to explore identity and the trans experience, using 90s pop-culture references to create a haunting, evocative, and urgent reflection on adolescence.
Sources: (Vulture) (Vanity Fair) (Time Out)
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MOVIES Cinema
As we approach the end of 2024, the year has already gifted us a wide array of cinematic gems, each offering something unique, from genre-defying thrillers to poignant dramas. With a variety of voices and styles, filmmakers have captivated audiences across the globe, leaving an indelible mark on both critics and audiences alike. Many of these films are poised to make waves at next year's Oscars, solidifying their place in the year's most memorable cinematic moments.
So click on to discover the best movies of the year, so far.