When one takes stock at the end of the year at what the preceding months of cinema had delivered, there seemed to be a sentiment among some that 2024 was perceived as weak. While entirely a matter of perspective, I believe no year in film can ever be truly described as completely lacking. Sometimes, digging beneath the surface may require more work and determination. Still, once you do, it’s easy to find special gems that indulge in great spectacle and enthralling storytelling that is reflective of very strong work. It’s no different this year, and the following list features a collection of titles that, for me, stood out as some of the year’s most outstanding achievements. First, I would like to name a handful of movies that didn’t quite make the list but were worthy enough to be given some citation. Those films were “Babes,” “The Brutalist,” “Nickel Boys,” “The Room Next Door,” and “Wicked.” Now, for my official top ten films of the year.
10. Sing Sing
It’s easy to take just how much the arts can impact people’s lives for granted. Those of us who live off a steady diet of creative endeavors can sometimes not fully recognize the power of delivering a substantive impression on an individual. What makes “Sing Sing” such a special examination is its sincere look into the seismic bonds forged between these men, whom society would have you believe have little value. Isolated from the general population, this group could very easily find themselves wallowing in despair. Yet, they use art and performance as a method of self-expression while gaining a better understanding of themselves and creating stronger relationships. Knowing that this story is inspired by a real program makes what is depicted here even more genuine, and director Greg Kwedar crafts a vibrant and intimate portrait. Colman Domingo leads an exceptional ensemble, with breakout star Clarence Maclin delivering a powerhouse turn of his own in a sea of gifted performers. Few films were as emotionally resonant as this one.
9. Anora
It felt like something was in the air the moment “Anora” was set to be introduced to the world at Cannes. The steady and reliable filmography from Sean Baker seemed destined to one day deliver a work that would break out into the mainstream in a more significant way, and his latest effort did indeed feel like a beautifully rendered culmination of his skillset. In “Anora,” he once again trains his eye on a member of society who is often marginalized in the mainstream but showcases a dynamic inner life. The story is in love with its eccentric characters, and Mikey Madison is never short of captivating energy that makes her an irresistible force to watch. One can understand how easy it is to fall in love with her; she carries a rambunctious and carefree spirit in the first part. However, when the harsh reality sets in, her demeanor is more abrasive but just as compelling. She is also helped by a vast landscape of great supporting players, for which Yura Borisov notably shares his quiet yet endearing screen presence in the film’s most emotionally vulnerable moments. However, kudos should also be given to Karren Karagulian and Mark Eydelshteyn for their excellent work. The former is an uproarious delight with great humor, while the latter handles a morally tricky character with an engrossing and charming persona.
8. Queer
It was abundantly clear from the moment the film was announced that “Queer” was going to be one of my most anticipated titles of the year. Luca Guadagnino’s track record as of late has been a genuinely miraculous procession of intriguing work, and thankfully, his latest effort is no different. The world presented here is full of passionate emotion, often forced to lie beneath the surface. It’s a tale about strong desires, not just for lustful proclivities but also for a deep emotional connection. The search for that bond is shown to be so captivating, a yearning so great that it pushes one to the furthest ends of the earth. The obsession is not shown to be one of destruction but actually, a beautifully rendered journey, featuring a psychedelic sequence that captures so much fragile emotion that exists when such bonds are pushed to such extreme depths. Daniel Craig commands the screen, and Drew Starkey has a reserved nature that shelters a deep vulnerability. The world seen here is odd and rough. Still, it also has an inviting aura to discover what an adventure it is to find a genuine connection, mainly through its meticulous craft and some of the year’s most effective needle drops.
​7. Memoir Of A Snail
If ever there was a filmmaker to test just how mature animated films can be, one can look no further than Adam Elliot. His storytelling always focuses on characters in incredibly tragic situations who are fighting desperately to find whatever light they can. “Memoir of a Snail” is no different, as it details the many trials and hardships of a life bombarded by loss. At the same time, Elliot also knows how to mine a particular sweetness even in the grimmest of circumstances, and that’s what makes the film even more endearing. Every life suffers disappointments and grief, but real introspection can be learned through such action. The characters here are all intriguing and brought to life by the unique aesthetics that give the stop-motion animation a distinct vibrancy. Just when the darkness seems overwhelming, the glint of joy can arrive. It’s a mixture that creates a bittersweet sensibility, but such are many life experiences. The film is an engaging display of both tragedy and celebration, a hard road to self-actualization that is always moving to the soul.
6. The Substance
Few theater-going experiences will ever top seeing “The Substance” at its world premiere at Cannes. Having very little knowledge of what the story was actually about, watching every insane and bold decision unfold in real time was a thrilling ride that led to utter jubilation at the chaotic finale. Coralie Farget presents a heightened reality, a satire on modern standards placed on the physical demands that women face. It’s a stylized fable set in the entertainment industry that also comments on every way in which women find themselves scrutinized, going to great lengths to maintain that status only to be labeled as monsters and rejected. The analysis is blunt but intentionally so and quite effective. However, this endeavor would not be nearly as successful were it not for Demi Moore’s brilliant performance, one that is ironically not as hyperbolic as the tone around her. She captures the true melancholy of this character, devastated by a cruel and judgmental environment that forces her into extremes. Conveying such raw emotion in all sorts of makeup transformations is even more impressive, and her co-star Margaret Qually is equally impactful as the pluckier counterpart with her own set of anxieties to explore. There’s no doubt that few films offer as memorable an execution as this one.
5. Femme
There’s a complicated web of intrigue that lies underneath the discussion of a person’s sexuality. Sometimes, it can go to very dark places, exploring the drive to fulfill desires in a foreboding aura of aggression, fear, and self-loathing. For many, there’s a mask that is only occasionally dropped to reveal the true identity and those who are privileged to see it are introduced to a complex morality. “Femme” probes these subjects with a captivating lens. What begins as a straightforward tale of enacting revenge against a bigot evolves into a more complicated discussion of attraction. The brutish battle between dominance and submission that cages one’s true feelings is a fascinating topic, and the resentment that slowly morphs into a strange attraction is very compelling. Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping dive into a world with no easy answers, but this makes their commentary all the more provocative. There is danger in the relationship between these men that evolves into something that neither of them is truly prepared to reconcile within themselves. It’s a strength of many queer narratives that understand layers that are uncovered, often contradictory but wholly engaging. The performances of Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and George MacKay are impressive. However, the latter smolders with such intimidating intensity and still provides a vulnerable core that makes him an incredibly alluring figure.
4. Hundreds Of Beavers
I say with complete sincerity that when one thinks of the phrase “pure cinema,” very few movies embody this sentiment as much as “Hundreds of Beavers.” Every frame is a masterful assembly of incredible sight gags that leave one astonished by the creativity on display. What’s even more amazing is that, for such a silly premise, the film is adept at creating engaging storytelling, building upon its set pieces until it reaches a glorious crescendo. Mike Chiklis crafts the ultimate live-action cartoon with a preposterous logic that never fails to deliver uproarious laughter. It’s an added pressure to do all of this with almost no dialogue, which only further cements the masterful filmmaking. The compositions of the characters, the cutting sound design, and the impeccable comedic timing of the editing are riveting to behold. Even the visual effects, while appearing crude on the surface, are executed with such boldness that they deserve credit all the same. Carried on the shoulders of star and co-writer Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, himself giving an amazingly committed performance, the film is an ode to classic silent comedies and wacky animated tales, all told with a kinetic modern sensibility. Few movies this year had as much audacity as this one, cementing a wholly memorable experience.
​3. Challengers
We were truly blessed to have not one but two Luca Guadagnino films grace cinemas this year. While “Queer” is the one that offers the more tender and emotional showcase, the rush of adrenaline that “Challengers” has is entirely compelling from the very first moment. The narrative bounces back and forth as if it were the very tennis ball on the court, our attention tracking every maneuver between this rich and complicated dynamic between these characters. The sexual tension is thick with intrigue, causing us to linger on every interaction drenched in this lustful atmosphere. Guadagnino is adept at navigating these waters and gives every scene such powerful emotion and excitement. The trio of performances are all fantastic, and each utilizes their skills perfectly. Zendaya has a commanding force that occasionally shows the vulnerability deep within. Mike Faist’s sincerity is effective at masking the more insidious aspects that lash out. Josh O’Connor is nothing short of mesmerizing in his alluring display that mixes confidence and insecurity. The final match will be remembered as an engrossing set piece, with it all tied together by the exceptional Reznor and Ross score that pulses its vigorous electronic dance beats through your veins and sends you out on the highest of highs.
2. Dahomey
There have been a good number of works this year with massive runtimes, and every one of them has used that grand canvas to tell massive stories to warrant such commitment. It is, therefore, quite refreshing to experience a film like “Dahomey” that barely crosses the hour mark yet packs so much insightful commentary within its brief timeframe. One initially expects to know precisely what the main topic will be, as tracking the return of ancestral artifacts in possession of the French government back to the kingdom of Dahomey will resurrect discussions of the painful history of colonialism. That is very much present, but soon, a much more complex perspective emerges. The views of a younger generation that does not wish to attach their cultural identity to objects of the past is a fascinating layer to uncover, especially as it relates to the notion that it may absolve colonizers of their horrid past and give them amnesty for injustices that have yet to be meaningfully resolved. It’s a surprising revelation that director Mati Diop explores with much intrigue. The dialogue initiated here doesn’t come to a complete resolution because it mirrors this complex web of contradictions with valid points on every side. The discussion that looms large as voice-over narration gives personification to these objects, offering an ethereal quality that reaches across time. Plenty of great documentaries were seen this year, but this effort is especially unique and makes a significant impression with its limited time.
1. All We Imagine As Light
I can still vividly recall the moment I sat down on my penultimate day at Cannes to watch an evening showing of a film I’d never heard of before. It was already an exhausting day, and I was already feeling the notion of winding down. However, as soon as “All We Imagine as Light” started to play, the tiredness immediately withdrew, and I was glued to the screen. Interestingly, a relatively slow-paced film jolted me awake, but therein lies the power of Payal Kapadia’s beautiful storytelling. She crafts an intimate portrait of women living meager lives as nurses in Mumbai but also invites the audience into a vast world filled with complicated desires. These women pursue a search for self-actualization in different areas of their lives, one looking for fulfillment in a distant marriage and the other wanting to openly celebrate her love in a landscape that can stifle that flame. Yet, each finds a passion in their pursuits, illuminating both the sad isolation that persists as well as the shining warmth uncovered when allowed to fully embrace their deep emotions. The pair of performances from Kani Kusruti and Divya Prabha are intensely endearing and add to the vibrant texture of this world that’s captured through the hazy yet alluring cinematography. From the very first moment it bowed on the world’s stage, this film was immediately solidified as one of the year’s greatest works. In truth, it is the best film of the year.
While every year will have its triumphs and tribulations, there were plenty of entries this go-around that left a significant impression. No matter what the scale of the vision, so many unique narratives were given the chance to shine and be explored. That will always be one of the most exciting elements of discovering new cinema, and I do not doubt that next year will be another fantastic excavation of even more brilliant pieces of art.
What do you think of my list? Please let us know in the comments section below or on our X account. Be on the lookout for more of our Top 10’s for 2024 as we say goodbye to the year and say hello to a new one. Our annual NBP Film Awards and the NBP Film Community Awards will come in a few days to allow you all some time to see those final 2024 awards season contenders and vote on what you thought was the best 2024 had to offer.Â
