Over the course of 2024, I watched 33 new films, some were straight to streaming, but most were new theatrical releases. All things considered, I greatly enjoyed my time at the movies this year, so in celebration of another good year at the cinema, I present my five favorite films of the year.
5. The Wild Robot
I cried nearly five times while watching this film not because the contents of it were sad, but because it was an endearing and sweet film brimming with optimism and family. At its core “The Wild Robot” is about community and identity — how do we define ourselves based on the circumstances we encounter and the people we choose to love? There are a million found/chosen family stories, but the twist on this one is what I believe makes it stick out: a robot and forest animals learning and growing together.
Two entirely disparate beings become one over the course of the film. As an animated film, the visuals are stunning, filled with such rich color and charm; the clash of a robot and nature makes for a memorable combination. Even Roz the robot communicates a breadth of personality and energy without a mouth or real eyes, a testament to the sheer beauty and craft animation is capable of. “The Wild Robot” maintains that animation remains a compelling and powerful medium of storytelling.
4. Challengers
Without a single shoot-out, car chase or sword fight, “Challengers” is the most exciting and engaging film of the year. The kicker? It’s a tennis film, but it’s not about tennis. No, it’s about the desire to be the very best and the enthralling love triangle underpinning the entire story. Every scene between the trio keeps you invested and on your toes. The soundtrack too was bursting with techno and high-octane synths that matched the intensity of the film itself. Zendaya delivers an excellent performance as Tashi, being equal parts charming, cunning and determined.
What I find most impressive about “Challengers” is how electrifying and tense the filmmakers made tennis, especially because the entire film is built on one tennis match between Art and Patrick. The structure of the film too surrounds this match, with time jumps to the past intercut with moments from the present all intended to reinforce or explain each action taken during the heated tennis match. The love triangle is omnipresent throughout the film, with both of the boys fighting over Tashi’s heart, while she’s only after who’s the best at tennis and all of their fighting culminates in the match-point. An incredible watch I will remember long after this year has rolled on.
3. Dune: Part Two
For all of a month and some change “Dune: Part Two” was my favorite film of the year, then it was my second favorite for about six months. Those films are coming up next on the list. Regardless of its ranking, I was utterly captivated by the last third of the film and full of catharsis watching the payoff from what the first film had set up. This film might just be my favorite science fiction film of the decade so far, and it all stems from the moment Paul drinks the Water of Life until the credits roll.
No aspect of “Dune: Part Two” is second rate, from the score, direction, acting and cinematography. I think it does best: pay off the first film’s promise. As the story was split into two parts, there ran the risk of the second half not delivering on anything from the first, or making its delivery lackluster in comparison to expectations.
Part of the story’s brilliance too is that while Paul might be the protagonist and hero, it’s context-dependent as the film progresses. By the end of the film and Paul’s ascendancy, we’re left to question if Paul might’ve transitioned into a villain of sorts, or at the very least lost some virtue. Paul’s victory is not triumphant so much as it is unsettling in its implications.
2. Monkey Man
“Monkey Man” is the film that initially dethroned “Dune: Part Two” despite me not exactly knowing what the film would be like. The marketing would have you believe it is John Wick but in India, yet the film itself falls quite short of that expectation. What is it then? “Monkey Man” is a beautiful and gruesome mediation on revenge, community and grief. Where this film distinguishes itself compared to the million-and-one revenge flicks is the attention it pays to the soul of the protagonist.
Before Kid, the protagonist , can exact his vengeance he must fortify his spirit and find some semblance of peace before he’s able to fulfill his desire. His spiritual journey partway through the film is made all the more unique with its representation of a queer community and connection to the god Shiva as the conduit to Kid’s transformation. The way the fights are staged shy away from the more standard cool, sleek action, but embraces brutal, messy fights that are cringe-inducing with how violent they get.
Even with the crazy action, the visual clarity is never lost, and in the third act, neither is the spirituality Kid finds. “Monkey Man” is an elevated action-revenge experience that was exhilarating to watch.
And for my favorite film of 2024…
1. The Substance
No film stunned me as deeply as “The Substance” did this year. Eyes glued to the screen, jaw on the floor I could not believe how captivating this film was no matter how horrific, how uncomfortable or leering the camera became. The main critique could for some feel overwrought or too forward, however, it’s in how blatant the critique is and the accompanying ideas are what I love about the film. Nuance is nice.
“The Substance” is a brazen and powerful condemnation of how Hollywood and the entertainment industry at large uses and then disposes of women once they start to age. It’s not trying to be subtle — the drama between Elizabeth and Sue is derived from how Hollywood treats women and the lengths to which one would go to retain their stardom. The twist being, they’re the same person, just occupying different bodies: one young and one old. The film also doesn’t let the audience be blameless in this system either, making you uncomfortable with how comfortable you are with Sue’s character.
The momentum of “The Substance” never lets up, concluding in a bloody, bloody ending that I guarantee no one predicted. It executed its premise so well, it overshadows any drawbacks the script might have. The reason this is my favorite of the year is because I will never forget the first time I saw this film and how it shook me to my bones.
