Favourite Films of 2024
This article is a look at my favourite films of 2024.
I saw 392 films in 2024. So let us begin.
MY TOP 50 FAVOURITE FILMS OF 2024
50. SIXTY MINUTES
Yes, this is mega contrived, but at least it’s as entertaining as the plot is unsubtly engineered. A mixed martial artist abandons a bout to reach his daughter’s birthday by a set time. Lots of people aim to stop him. He cuts a swathe through Berlin.
49. MY OLD ASS
The lead is about to head to university, but encounters her older self (Aubrey Plaza). A lovely comedy, with a winning mixture of deftly handled laughs, romance, charm, and emotion.
48. LISA FRANKENSTEIN
The performance of Sabenero alone, but there is a general wit and a solid ensemble. Though a big caveat, as usual with Diablo Cody projects there is a dispiriting lack of cast diversity.
47. SMILE 2
Aside from the overuse of jump-scares, this is one stylish horror. I was hoping for that ending and it delivered.
46. LOOK BACK
For me, a runtime must be at a minimum 75 minutes to count as a film. This is only 58 minutes, but is so good that I’ll set that rule aside. Stunning animation married to a story of regret, grief, and guilt.
45. RUMOURS
A scathing, surreal comedy about world leaders. A game cast deliver laughs big and small. The opening titles thank the G7 leaders for consulting on the film. :D
This movie should be played at the next G7 summit, and the heads of state give their reviews.
44. UPRISING
That’s a lot of betrayal! Political commentary is packed into a South Korean period action drama. That three-way fight climax: A cross between THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY and MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2. Co-written by Park Chan-wook.
43. A TRAVELLER'S NEEDS
Isabelle Huppert and director Hong Sang-soo dial up the cringe. Huppert shows she is still a force; here, an enigmatic alcoholic French tutor who gets under the skin of the characters.
42. CHALLENGERS
A super-sexy, utterly gripping relationship drama. Stylish. Actually makes tennis interesting.
41. MONKEY MAN
Lots of potential evinced with Dev Patel’s directorial debut. A film as filled with bile as its protagonist.
40. OFFICER BLACK BELT
A top exemplar of why South Korean cinema is so exciting: the seamless tone fluidity from the funny, to the winsomely sentimental, to the dark, to the bone-crunching.
39. THE SUBSTANCE
It starts crazy, then gets more crazy, and then when you think it can’t get crazier, it does. In a good way.
38. ROAD HOUSE
Did anyone ask for a remake? Probably not many, but this is more fun than it had a right to be.
37. POWER
The best documentary of the year. An extraordinary examination of the history of police in America. A cogent and compelling film.
36. SANTOSH
An Indian TRAINING DAY, but bleaker; actually, an Indian CHINATOWN.
35. SEIZE THEM!
A funny, foul-mouthed Brit Dark Ages comedy, about substandard leaders.
34. THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGICAL NEGROES
Would make an ace double-bill with AMERICAN FICTION. An outragous title for a wry emotional, comedy. Entertainingly validating and heartfelt.
33. THE APPRENTICE
A horror show of callousness, and you can’t turn your eyes away.
32. THE MONKEY
A rollicking gorefest with a dry, resigned humour. There’s a lot of blood. Joins the COMPANION and HEART EYES enjoyable run of black-comedy horror cinema. Prefer to director’s overrated LONGLEGS. Tackles Stephen King’s theme of bullying.
31. THE PROMISED LAND
What a film! About feudalism, racism, exploitation, in 18th century Denmark. A warning about where the world is slipping back to?
30. WICKED LITTLE LETTERS
Scathing, both funny and angry. Misogyny and racism under the verbal cosh.
29. ANORA
Pulses with energy and tension. A searing lead performance. Sexy and sorrowful.
28. IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE
An anarchic comedy about solipsism A cross between BODIES BODIES BODIES and TV show DOLLHOUSE. That sequence with the photo being edited depending on how the picture was remembered is a bravura stroke.
27. JACKDAW
There is a slick momentum, helped by a pounding score. The fluorescent-soaked cinematography has striking panache, elevating the look.
26. KNOX GOES AWAY / A KILLER'S MEMORY
A tonally deft assassin drama directed by and starring Michael Keaton. Heft given by casting Al Pacino.
25.THE OUTRUN
Heavy but not dour about addiction. A coruscating lead performance. A lyrical/poetic script. Gripping drama.
24. A REAL PAIN
Two annoying cousins travelling to Poland. The cringe is off the scale. Segues from laughs into something more serious. An enigmatic ending. Culkin is on fire. Apart from a monologue, the director gives himself an ego-cutting role.
23. THE PIG, THE SNAKE AND THE PIGEON
Taiwan’s third most-wanted criminal is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Before dying, he wants to be number one. He goes after the top two. Bordering on bleak. Subverts expectations. What a thriller!
22. ALL OF US STRANGERS
A movie that quickly creeps up on you and hits you with an emotional sledgehammer. About grief, loneliness, and reconciliation.
(Fans of Croydon will enjoy the Whiftgift Centre references.)
21. EIGHT POSTCARDS FROM UTOPIA
Romanian adverts from 1990 to 2015. Hilarious and kitsch in their execution and their juxtaposition by the filmmakers. Where were the advertising standards? The promises! Biting about aspects of the country's recent history. Wry, sardonic, and so funny.
20. EVIL DOES NOT EXIST
An ironically titled eco-drama, and so much more. Start slow, building into something gripping. (Though, am not sure the ending needed to be so ambiguous.)
19. JOIN OR DIE
One of my favourite documentaries of the year. The power and vital importance, for the individual and society, of joining a club.
18. BLACK DOG
When director Jia Zhang-ke acts in a film, you know it’s a winner. Taciturn and humanistic and for nature.
17. INSIDE OUT 2
Outstanding. It was over too soon. Tight, dense, intense, exciting storytelling.
16. THE BALCONETTES
A very dark comedy about serious subjects. Anger and charisma on display, plus a frenetic claustrophobia. Is about friendship and solidarity. An assured directorial second feature from actor Noémie Merlant, who has been making waves in front of the camera (PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE; PARIS, 13TH DISTRICT).
15. WICKED
I went into the cinema begrudgingly, sceptical of a 161-minute musical prequel; but boy was I surprised how much this hooked me. Far from perfect, it starts with too many boring interludes but they got less and less frequent as the runtime progressed.
14. WOMAN OF THE HOUR
What a directorial debut from Anna Kendrick. A nightmarish serial killer movie. Horrifying yet gripping. It stayed with me long after.
13. REBEL RIDGE
A cop corruption thriller that continually surprises. It could have gone for the obvious catharsis. Seriously tense.
12. ORIGIN
A fascinating analysis of caste and systems of exploitation and oppression, with particular focus on America, Germany, and India. Emotional and powerful.
11. EMILIA PÉREZ
Just outstanding. I watch so much, originality is so rare. I was mesmerised. Constantly surprising storytelling, and then an emotional gut-punch.
10. POOR THINGS
Utterly imaginative, with dazzling dialogue. A film of extremes but life affirming.
9. ALIEN: ROMULUS
I’m extremely fatigued by endless intellectual property exploitation, but this really delivers.
8. CIVIL WAR
The F.B.I. has been disbanded. The president is on his third term. A road movie cataloguing anarchy, swinging from the fist-clenchingly tense to the visually stunning. From the director of EX MACHINA and DEVS. See it at an IMAX.
7. CROSSING
A road trip drama of the highest order. A quest with deep feeling. A search to right wrongs. Characters coalesce more deftly than most adventure flicks. A film filled with sensitivity and fellowship.
6. DO NOT EXPECT TOO MUCH FROM THE END OF THE WORLD
Director Ragu Jude keeps getting better. A hilarious, vitriolic socio-political comedy. Takes aim at so many targets yet doesn’t feel scattershot.
5. PERFECT DAYS
Just wonderful. Celebrates the dignity of everyday life. Not saccharine. At points the story is on a knife edge. Could go either way. Filled to the brim with humanism and emotion. Would be higher up the list if not shot in 4:3 aspect ratio.
4. THE SHADOW STRAYS
Bloody hell! I love how action movies are continually one-upping the current high points. This mayhem verges into horror territory.
3. THE INSTIGATORS
The director of THE BOURNE IDENTITY reunites with Matt Damon for a smashing crime-comedy. It weaves so adroitly between the cynical and the sincere. As the credits rolled, a massive smile was writ large on my face.
2. AMERICAN FICTION
I didn’t want it to end. I wanted more of the dialogue, observations, and performances.
1. KNEECAP
PINEAPPLE EXPRESS meets 8 MILE meets BRAVEHEART. About Irish language rappers, this is a heady mix of unrestrained energy, hilarity, and politics. If TRAINSPOTTING was about colonialism, you’d get close to what this is like.
MY TOP 50 FAVOURITE FILMS OF 2024
50. SIXTY MINUTES
Yes, this is mega contrived, but at least it’s as entertaining as the plot is unsubtly engineered. A mixed martial artist abandons a bout to reach his daughter’s birthday by a set time. Lots of people aim to stop him. He cuts a swathe through Berlin.
49. MY OLD ASS
The lead is about to head to university, but encounters her older self (Aubrey Plaza). A lovely comedy, with a winning mixture of deftly handled laughs, romance, charm, and emotion.
48. LISA FRANKENSTEIN
The performance of Sabenero alone, but there is a general wit and a solid ensemble. Though a big caveat, as usual with Diablo Cody projects there is a dispiriting lack of cast diversity.
47. SMILE 2
Aside from the overuse of jump-scares, this is one stylish horror. I was hoping for that ending and it delivered.
46. LOOK BACK
For me, a runtime must be at a minimum 75 minutes to count as a film. This is only 58 minutes, but is so good that I’ll set that rule aside. Stunning animation married to a story of regret, grief, and guilt.
45. RUMOURS
A scathing, surreal comedy about world leaders. A game cast deliver laughs big and small. The opening titles thank the G7 leaders for consulting on the film. :D
This movie should be played at the next G7 summit, and the heads of state give their reviews.
44. UPRISING
That’s a lot of betrayal! Political commentary is packed into a South Korean period action drama. That three-way fight climax: A cross between THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY and MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2. Co-written by Park Chan-wook.
43. A TRAVELLER'S NEEDS
Isabelle Huppert and director Hong Sang-soo dial up the cringe. Huppert shows she is still a force; here, an enigmatic alcoholic French tutor who gets under the skin of the characters.
42. CHALLENGERS
A super-sexy, utterly gripping relationship drama. Stylish. Actually makes tennis interesting.
41. MONKEY MAN
Lots of potential evinced with Dev Patel’s directorial debut. A film as filled with bile as its protagonist.
40. OFFICER BLACK BELT
A top exemplar of why South Korean cinema is so exciting: the seamless tone fluidity from the funny, to the winsomely sentimental, to the dark, to the bone-crunching.
39. THE SUBSTANCE
It starts crazy, then gets more crazy, and then when you think it can’t get crazier, it does. In a good way.
38. ROAD HOUSE
Did anyone ask for a remake? Probably not many, but this is more fun than it had a right to be.
37. POWER
The best documentary of the year. An extraordinary examination of the history of police in America. A cogent and compelling film.
36. SANTOSH
An Indian TRAINING DAY, but bleaker; actually, an Indian CHINATOWN.
35. SEIZE THEM!
A funny, foul-mouthed Brit Dark Ages comedy, about substandard leaders.
34. THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGICAL NEGROES
Would make an ace double-bill with AMERICAN FICTION. An outragous title for a wry emotional, comedy. Entertainingly validating and heartfelt.
33. THE APPRENTICE
A horror show of callousness, and you can’t turn your eyes away.
32. THE MONKEY
A rollicking gorefest with a dry, resigned humour. There’s a lot of blood. Joins the COMPANION and HEART EYES enjoyable run of black-comedy horror cinema. Prefer to director’s overrated LONGLEGS. Tackles Stephen King’s theme of bullying.
31. THE PROMISED LAND
What a film! About feudalism, racism, exploitation, in 18th century Denmark. A warning about where the world is slipping back to?
30. WICKED LITTLE LETTERS
Scathing, both funny and angry. Misogyny and racism under the verbal cosh.
29. ANORA
Pulses with energy and tension. A searing lead performance. Sexy and sorrowful.
28. IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE
An anarchic comedy about solipsism A cross between BODIES BODIES BODIES and TV show DOLLHOUSE. That sequence with the photo being edited depending on how the picture was remembered is a bravura stroke.
27. JACKDAW
There is a slick momentum, helped by a pounding score. The fluorescent-soaked cinematography has striking panache, elevating the look.
26. KNOX GOES AWAY / A KILLER'S MEMORY
A tonally deft assassin drama directed by and starring Michael Keaton. Heft given by casting Al Pacino.
25.THE OUTRUN
Heavy but not dour about addiction. A coruscating lead performance. A lyrical/poetic script. Gripping drama.
24. A REAL PAIN
Two annoying cousins travelling to Poland. The cringe is off the scale. Segues from laughs into something more serious. An enigmatic ending. Culkin is on fire. Apart from a monologue, the director gives himself an ego-cutting role.
23. THE PIG, THE SNAKE AND THE PIGEON
Taiwan’s third most-wanted criminal is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Before dying, he wants to be number one. He goes after the top two. Bordering on bleak. Subverts expectations. What a thriller!
22. ALL OF US STRANGERS
A movie that quickly creeps up on you and hits you with an emotional sledgehammer. About grief, loneliness, and reconciliation.
(Fans of Croydon will enjoy the Whiftgift Centre references.)
21. EIGHT POSTCARDS FROM UTOPIA
Romanian adverts from 1990 to 2015. Hilarious and kitsch in their execution and their juxtaposition by the filmmakers. Where were the advertising standards? The promises! Biting about aspects of the country's recent history. Wry, sardonic, and so funny.
20. EVIL DOES NOT EXIST
An ironically titled eco-drama, and so much more. Start slow, building into something gripping. (Though, am not sure the ending needed to be so ambiguous.)
19. JOIN OR DIE
One of my favourite documentaries of the year. The power and vital importance, for the individual and society, of joining a club.
18. BLACK DOG
When director Jia Zhang-ke acts in a film, you know it’s a winner. Taciturn and humanistic and for nature.
17. INSIDE OUT 2
Outstanding. It was over too soon. Tight, dense, intense, exciting storytelling.
16. THE BALCONETTES
A very dark comedy about serious subjects. Anger and charisma on display, plus a frenetic claustrophobia. Is about friendship and solidarity. An assured directorial second feature from actor Noémie Merlant, who has been making waves in front of the camera (PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE; PARIS, 13TH DISTRICT).
15. WICKED
I went into the cinema begrudgingly, sceptical of a 161-minute musical prequel; but boy was I surprised how much this hooked me. Far from perfect, it starts with too many boring interludes but they got less and less frequent as the runtime progressed.
14. WOMAN OF THE HOUR
What a directorial debut from Anna Kendrick. A nightmarish serial killer movie. Horrifying yet gripping. It stayed with me long after.
13. REBEL RIDGE
A cop corruption thriller that continually surprises. It could have gone for the obvious catharsis. Seriously tense.
12. ORIGIN
A fascinating analysis of caste and systems of exploitation and oppression, with particular focus on America, Germany, and India. Emotional and powerful.
11. EMILIA PÉREZ
Just outstanding. I watch so much, originality is so rare. I was mesmerised. Constantly surprising storytelling, and then an emotional gut-punch.
10. POOR THINGS
Utterly imaginative, with dazzling dialogue. A film of extremes but life affirming.
9. ALIEN: ROMULUS
I’m extremely fatigued by endless intellectual property exploitation, but this really delivers.
8. CIVIL WAR
The F.B.I. has been disbanded. The president is on his third term. A road movie cataloguing anarchy, swinging from the fist-clenchingly tense to the visually stunning. From the director of EX MACHINA and DEVS. See it at an IMAX.
7. CROSSING
A road trip drama of the highest order. A quest with deep feeling. A search to right wrongs. Characters coalesce more deftly than most adventure flicks. A film filled with sensitivity and fellowship.
6. DO NOT EXPECT TOO MUCH FROM THE END OF THE WORLD
Director Ragu Jude keeps getting better. A hilarious, vitriolic socio-political comedy. Takes aim at so many targets yet doesn’t feel scattershot.
5. PERFECT DAYS
Just wonderful. Celebrates the dignity of everyday life. Not saccharine. At points the story is on a knife edge. Could go either way. Filled to the brim with humanism and emotion. Would be higher up the list if not shot in 4:3 aspect ratio.
4. THE SHADOW STRAYS
Bloody hell! I love how action movies are continually one-upping the current high points. This mayhem verges into horror territory.
3. THE INSTIGATORS
The director of THE BOURNE IDENTITY reunites with Matt Damon for a smashing crime-comedy. It weaves so adroitly between the cynical and the sincere. As the credits rolled, a massive smile was writ large on my face.
2. AMERICAN FICTION
I didn’t want it to end. I wanted more of the dialogue, observations, and performances.
1. KNEECAP
PINEAPPLE EXPRESS meets 8 MILE meets BRAVEHEART. About Irish language rappers, this is a heady mix of unrestrained energy, hilarity, and politics. If TRAINSPOTTING was about colonialism, you’d get close to what this is like.