Alex’s Prime 10 Favourite Movies of 2024 – Corbet & Fingscheidt & Baker
by Alex Billington
January 13, 2025
“I’ve discovered our dialog persuasive and intellectually stimulating.” Certainly, Mr. Van Buren. It is at all times thrilling to find intellectually stimulating movies. One other yr, one other Prime 10. After watching greater than 400 movies all through 2024 (at all times logging the whole lot on my Letterboxd for anybody curious) it is time to share my remaining collection of My Prime 10 Favourite Movies of 2024. I attempt to watch as a lot as I can and provides myself time to meet up with any further movies on the finish of the yr, however my favorites can come from anytime in 2024. Rohrwacher’s La Chimera already was my #1 of 2023 final yr, which is why I am further joyful it is showing on so many different Prime 10 lists this yr. For 2024 – I went for those that actually impressed me, together with The Brutalist, Anora, Nickel Boys, Sing Sing, A Full Unknown, and Conclave, amongst others. I am not likely a fan of I Noticed the TV Glow, The Beast, or All We Think about as Mild. So these are my private picks, the ten that jogged my memory that cinema remains to be able to being revolutionary and authentic and invigorating.
For the earlier yr’s Prime 10 of 2023 checklist, topped by La Chimera and Oppenheimer, click on right here (or 2022 + 2021 + 2020). You may take a look at my collection of Favourite Film Posters from 2024 for the perfect cinema artwork.
A number of notes: it is a checklist of my favourite movies, not the perfect movies of the yr, these are those that I like for my very own causes and I am going to attempt to clarify why with each. As at all times, I want I had a lot extra to time to observe/rewatch movies, and see each final movie that performed in 2024, however that is unattainable so that is simply what I made a decision to run with. Additionally – my movie choice is predicated on the date after I initially noticed the movie at a public occasion, together with movie festivals (Sitges, Sundance) or public releases restricted or in any other case. This isn’t primarily based on solely movies launched in 2024, however the ones I skilled in 2024, and is an efficient illustration of the perfect cinema has given us, for my part. I am at all times a bit nervous to finalize my checklist, however these are all movies I love.
#1. The Brutalist directed by Brady Corbet
The Brutalist is a masterpiece. I needn’t wait years to say this – it is official already. I’ve seen it twice and it is simply as exhilarating to expertise a second time. Brady Corbet’s monumental murals is a shining instance of how cinema can proceed to be revolutionary and entrancing. Adrien Brody is ideal as architect László Tóth on this post-WWII story of America. However I do need to reiterate that this movie is not a lot concerning the American Dream – László desires a easy and protected life, he is not chasing cash – as a substitute it truly is about how America is a rotten, corrupt, xenophobic, racist nation stuffed with grasping assholes. That is exactly what Brady Corbet is making an attempt to say with this story (with most of his movies). The rating by Daniel Blumberg is phenomenal – I am already listening to the album on a regular basis. And the cinematography by Lol Crawley can also be distinctive. I nonetheless cannot imagine they made this whole movie for $10 million. The Carrara sequence within the second half is considered one of my all-time favourite sequences in cinema historical past, due to the sound design above all.
#2. The Outrun directed by Nora Fingscheidt
For many of 2024, The Outrun was listed as my #1 movie. I first watched it on the 2024 Sundance Movie Pageant in January (my preliminary overview) and it remained my favourite all through many of the yr. I might speak about it for hours and hours. Saoirse Ronan is on an entire different degree on this. Her efficiency has to span years of time, but additionally has to seize all of the nuances of alcoholism. I virtually at all times love her in any function she performs, although this one will stand out in her filmography as considered one of her greatest. I like the rating by John Gürtler & Jan Miserre (listening to it whereas scripting this), the cinematography by Yunus Roy Imer, and all the directing selections made by German filmmaker Nora Fingscheidt. It is the epitome of breathtaking – there are a couple of sequences that at any time when they arrive within the movie I actually maintain my breath whereas watching. Regardless that the movie is about alcoholism and studying to maneuver on, it is also a common story about rising up and discovering your footing on steady floor – wherever which may be and no matter it might take to realize that.
#3. Anora directed by Sean Baker
“Phenomenal… a one-of-a-kind sensation.” This can be a quote from my Cannes overview that appeared within the first official trailer for Anora. This movie guidelines. One thing contemporary and authentic and energetic and thrilling and humorous and endearing and unforgettable. Mikey Madison is sensational as Ani, however I am additionally glad Yura Borisov is being acknowledged through the awards season (and can possible find yourself with a well-deserved Oscar nomination). Director Sean Baker is actually considered one of a sort, making movies not like anybody else that nobody else can replicate. Anora is not only hilarious however extremely deep, nuanced, layered, clever, complicated filmmaking that will get each scene excellent. I used to be rooting for this in Cannes to win the Palme d’Or prime prize final yr, which it in the end did win, and now I am rooting for it to win Greatest Image on the Academy Awards this yr (until The Brutalist grabs it as a substitute). This sort of ravishing filmmaking deserves awards, recognition, and success.
#4. Nickel Boys directed by RaMell Ross
There is not any query that it is a masterpiece, proper? It’s. Certainly one of a few masterpieces from 2024. I got here to Nickel Boys slightly late – after it had premiered at a couple of festivals and already opened within the US. I wasn’t positive it will stay as much as the hype. As quickly as I settled in, it did not take lengthy for me to understand – everybody is true, that is good. And sure it is cliche to say, and a few folks do not actually agree, however I do imagine this movie does invent a “new language of cinema” utilizing the POV cinematography to place us into the lives of those two boys. It is not solely about that cinematography selection (shot completely by DP Jomo Fray) although, it is also all about how director RaMell Ross permits us to expertise what it’s prefer to be a Black boy in America. And the way he contextualizes this expertise by cinematic selections like integrating archival footage in addition to crafting a richly detailed, vibrant world for them to mess around in – specializing in all of the little particulars and the whole lot they work together with that brings them even the slightest little bit of pleasure. The timelapse prepare automotive shot is an all-timer.
#5. Dune: Half Two directed by Denis Villeneuve
Desert energy! Yep this film is superior. The scope and scale is off the charts epic and exhilarating. Dune: Half Two is correct *occasion* cinema and among the finest sequels ever made. I watched it 3 times in a row back-to-back when it was in theaters in 2024 (twice in IMAX). I imagine we want empowering revolutionary motion pictures like this on the earth proper now. Denis Villeneuve is a sci-fi cinema mastermind and we’re so fortunate that we get to observe him go all-out creating these spectacular motion pictures adapting Frank Herbert’s novels. I believe each Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya are unbelievable on this, so are Javier Bardem and Austin Butler and Rebecca Ferguson. Whereas the primary half is excellent, the second half launches the film to unprecedented heights when Paul lastly turns into the Mahdi – and lets his anger circulation as he takes over the Fremen and begins to combat again. The scenes with the Fremen & the finale the place he confronts the Emperor are phenomenal and shock me each time I watched them. That is what nice sci-fi storytelling is all about.
#6. Sing Sing directed by Greg Kwedar
Magnificent movie. That is what cinema is all about. That is the facility it ought to have. I watched it twice earlier than placing this checklist collectively and, my goodness, it moved me and shook me to my core each instances. It is actually all about Colman Domingo’s towering, distinctive lead efficiency as Divine G – I genuinely imagine whereas watching this he’s additionally a prisoner going by these feelings on his path to freedom. He’s phenomenal and makes this movie the murals it completely is. Sing Sing is a shining instance of what cinema could be and the way it can change the world. The way it can convey us nearer to understanding people who find themselves totally different from us. And it as soon as once more exhibits the facility of artwork and expression – how letting your soul communicate can result in therapeutic and nice progress. Let this movie have an effect on & encourage you the way in which this performing program does these inmates.
#7. A Full Unknown directed by James Mangold
“You recognize, you are sort of an asshole.” An exploration of the enigma of Bob Dylan. An excellent musician, however he is additionally sort of an asshole, but additionally a thinker, but additionally endlessly mysterious and unusual. This isn’t actually a biopic, and I discover it odd that so many individuals hold referring to it as one. It is a slice of life take a look at a specific second in Bobby D’s life, and it is so superbly made. It hit me arduous – tear all of it down, at all times be who you might be, not what they need. A tribute to rabble-rousers & rule breakers. We could by no means perceive geniuses and their methods, however that doesn’t make them any much less of a genius… James Mangold continues to make banger after banger after banger. He is aware of his cinema, he is aware of inform a narrative, he is aware of depart us feeling rocked. His visible storytelling is so glossy and compelling – this strikes alongside at a swift tempo whereas preserving a very powerful moments intact. And sure, in fact, Timothée Chalamet is sensational.
#8. The Evaluation directed by Fleur Fortune
This one deserves a spot on my Better of the 12 months checklist regardless that it solely premiered at a couple of movie festivals in 2024 (and shall be formally launched in early 2025). Few movies about parenting are ever this clever, this thought-provoking, this compelling of their depiction of humanity’s selections with parenting. The Evaluation is a profound new science fiction movie directed by French filmmaker Fleur Fortune, making her function debut in what’s irrefutably one of the crucial spectacular function debuts of 2024. Set within the close to future when parenthood is strictly managed, it is a few couple who desires to have a child in order that they’re put by a seven day “evaluation” of their viability. This movie is so earnest and significant, so fascinating and entrancing. I can’t cease eager about it. So many ideas, a lot to debate. Layers upon layers, a lot to research, with extraordinary filmmaking bringing all of it to life… I am in awe. Cannot wait to revisit it and dig into it extra.
#9. Conclave directed by Edward Berger
Let! Them! Gossip! Earlier than watching this movie, I actually didn’t suppose I’d be wowed by it. By the tip I wished to leap out of my chair and hoot & holler at how wonderful it’s. Edward Berger is on a roll! That is even higher than his final movie All Quiet on the Western Entrance, with extra to chew on and extra characters to comply with. It is a riveting thriller with extraordinary manufacturing worth – all of those Vatican units are wonderful and exceptionally plausible. I used to be additionally not anticipating this to be an especially related take a look at the latest US election and intense corruption (!!), whereas additionally exhibiting what it actually takes to elect the “proper” particular person into an necessary place of energy. Surpassed my expectations, rocked me with its radical ending. Swept away by the rating, the cinematography, the whole lot, and the performances slay. Ralph Fiennes is a genius and I’m at all times in awe of his performances – this one actually deserves awards. And I particularly love the turtles. 🐢
#10. Black Canine directed by Guan Hu
“Top-of-the-line canine motion pictures ever made.” I watched this at Cannes final yr at its world premiere and have been raving about it ever since – as a result of it actually is among the greatest canine motion pictures ever made. Completely. Black Canine is a Chinese language movie a few lonely man who befriends a stray canine residing in his dusty, sleepy hometown – and collectively they go on journeys of self-discovery and understanding. All of the whereas uniting his city, which is scuffling with its personal fading id. I like Eddie Peng as Lang on this – he does not communicate your entire movie, but he is so endearing and tender. His efficiency and his reference to the principle canine, and all the canines, is basically the guts & soul of Black Canine. As well as, the cinematography and filmmaking selections made by director Guan Hu complement this efficiency with storytelling that’s refined and sharp. It’s a canine film, but it surely’s not solely about canines and companionship, it is also about id and loneliness and shifting on. Better of all – no animals have been harmed in any respect making this, and Eddie Peng adopted a couple of of the canines after.
BONUS! Memoir of a Snail directed by Adam Elliot
🐌 “Life’s an exquisite tapestry that must be skilled. It is small pleasures savored… Life can solely be understood backwards, however we have now to stay it forwards… Snails by no means return over their trails, at all times shifting forwards.” Yep – at all times hold blazing trails. I like this movie. It is elegant. It is heartfelt. It is funky and unhappy and bizarre and eccentric. However these are a part of its allure. Adam Elliot is a really distinctive filmmaker and that is one other considered one of his movies that has already and can proceed to make a mark on cinema historical past. I bear in mind watching Mary and Max at Sundance 2009 and placing that movie on my better of the yr checklist – I am joyful to incorporate this one, too. Regardless that it ended up past #10 on my checklist, it is nonetheless value highlighting and value speaking about. It is remarkably highly effective, shifting storytelling – the place it ends is in a hopeful place, regardless of taking us by so many hardships. And it is significant in its reminder that to actually stay a contented life we have to free ourselves from the prisons of our personal making, even when this appears unattainable due to what we have been by. However we should at all times stay on, in search of happiness and pleasure in each little factor we will.
Extra 2024 Faves (all value watching): Greg Jardin’s It is What’s Inside, Sean Wang’s Dìdi 弟弟, Josh Greenbaum’s doc Will & Harper, George Miller’s Furiosa, Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night time, Matthew Rankin’s Common Language, Scott McGehee & David Siegel’s The Good friend, Charlie McDowell’s The Summer season E-book, Josh Margolin’s Thelma, Eggers’ Nosferatu, and Gia Coppola’s The Final Showgirl.
I might talk about all of my favorites endlessly, so should you ever need to chat about cinema, simply ask me one thing about any of them. You may at all times discover all of my scores and extra ideas on each movie I watched in 2024 on my Letterboxd profile. There are at all times a couple of different movies I didn’t get the prospect to observe final yr as a result of time constraints, however I nonetheless attempt to catch as many movies as potential that my colleagues have been speaking about. I’m at all times watching new work all year long, in search of out essentially the most exhilarating cinema – movies that depart me in amazed and moved. Generally I’ve to take a danger and watch one thing sudden to search out the true winners. When you have questions or ideas about my Prime 10 picks (or the rest), please get in contact: @firstshowing or @alexb.bsky.social. Now let’s proceed into 2025 at all times able to hold watching.
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