Now that 2024 has come to a close and the Oscar nominees for the year are beginning to be announced, let’s look at some of the most impactful and excellent film releases from the last calendar year.
The Brutalist: László Tóth, a Hungarian-Jewish architect played impeccably by Adrien Brody, has to flee Europe amidst the antisemitism of the Second World War, finding himself impoverished in New York, struggling to reach his wife and niece still stranded and suffering across the Atlantic. A24’s newest installment, The Brutalist follows the success, grief, and loss Tóth battles as he navigates the perils of a commodified American existence, exploring imperative themes about ambition and passion. Split into two acts with a fifteen-minute intermission, this movie is one of the most visually stunning of 2024 and a definite watch while it remains in theaters at the start of this year.
Nosferatu: For the horror-inclined, thrill-seeking movie fans, Robert Eggers’s reimagining of the 1922 Dracula story, Nosferatu, is a movie I highly recommend. With incredible set and costume design, Eggers creates beyond-eerie atmospheres to present the freaky tale of Count Orlok and his possession and usurpation of the Hutter family, as neither fire, fear, nor fury can keep the haunted couple separated. For those yearning for a fright, Nosferatu is an incredibly unique horror film that will have you persistently sitting on the edge of your seat.
ANORA: Another chaotic, vivacious film from Sean Baker, ANORA explores the intricacies of the American Dream by confronting themes of adulthood and ambition. Chaotic and exciting but equally heartfelt and sweet, this movie has a place for both comedic relief and blood-pumping action, telling a vulnerable story through stand-out performances from Mikey Madison and Yuriy Borisov. Breaking genre boundaries through an engrossing and visceral story, this was one of the most unexpectedly impactful movies of the year.
Dìdi: Finally, highlighting one of 2024’s directorial debuts, Sean Wang’s Didi is a heartwarming coming-of-age story that follows 14-year-old Chris Wang as he navigates through an identity crisis while he enters high school, pitting social norms against family values. Chris navigates the perils of having the coolest MySpace account, impressing his crush, Madi, and making a name in his local skater scene. His story is awkward, embarrassing, and all the more relatable, making for a painfully funny and enjoyable watch. Dìdi is a seminal film for Wang as he begins to make a name of his own in the world of cinema.