Top 20 Movies of 2024
2024 served as something of a reprieve for underrepresented genres in film. Robot Dreams and Flow showed incredible strides in the capabilities in animated filmmaking, and horror films like The Substance and Heretic proved that the genre still has room for innovation. // Image: Neon
In the aftermath of COVID, it’s taken a few years for the film industry to get back to its pre-pandemic strides. 2023’s SAG-AFTRA strikes putting a hold on production and releases of films also sowed doubt into the health of releases for the following year. In spite of those circumstances, though, 2024 felt like a true return to form for the film industry. 2024 saw the release of so many incredible films that pushed many genres forward. The year was particularly great for horror - and this is coming from a non-horror fan. Many horror directors employed innovative approaches to horror filmmaking, such as the identity horror of Jane Schoenbrun’s I Saw the TV Glow and the quiet unsettling nature of Oz Perkins’ Longlegs. Other genres saw similar levels of innovation and experimentation to great success.
Put simply, 2024 was a fantastic year for film enthusiasts - so much so that making a list of my favorite films of the year proved vastly more difficult than years prior. After much deliberation, I’ve landed on a list of twenty films I feel confident in claiming were the most meaningful and enjoyable movies of the year for me. As a rule, movies qualify for this list so long as they received a wide release in the United States in 2024, thus why some films technically released in 2023 qualify for this list. The following movies are the movies that have stuck in my mind the most throughout this year.
20. The Substance
The Substance is not a subtle movie, as it extravagantly flaunts the different ways in which women are treated in the entertainment industry depending on their age. However, it’s the lack of subtlety and the use of overt body horror that makes The Substance one of the best theme-driven films of the year. // Image: Mubi
Once you watch The Substance, you will never forget, whether you like it or not. Through this film’s thoughtfully constructed commentary on how age affects how women are treated in the entertainment industry and its explosive body horror that leads to some of the most disgusting imagery of the year, this movie sticks with any viewer that watches it. This is definitely a movie that foregoes subtlety in order to communicate themes on beauty and age, but such themes are explored to such an incredible degree that it’s easy to look past the more overt elements of the film.
Beyond that, The Substance’s premise of a drug that creates a younger, more conventionally attractive copy of yourself is an intriguing one, and the protagonist that we follow is one that is tainted by a flaw that is doubtlessly relatable. Elisabeth Sparkle is a woman that has aged out of what society considers to be conventional beauty standards. As such, society has cast her aside, making her despise her own existence, despite some others still seeing the beauty within her. In an age where we often compare ourselves to others through the likes of social media and how older women, specifically, are given substantially less interest and attention than younger women by society, The Substance has a lot to say, and it conveys its timely themes quite beautifully. Through the use of great cinematography, style, and imagery to create horrifying reflections of obsessions on unsustainable beauty standards, The Substance is doubtlessly one of the most memorable films of the year and one that reminds us that body horror can be used to elevate stories and themes to incredible heights.
19. Mars Express
One of the most visually striking films of the year, Mars Express is an excellently animated cyberpunk noir that explores the relationship between humanity and robots in a believable, theme-fueled depiction of the future. // Image: GKIDS
Indie animation had a shockingly strong year, and one overlooked film that deserves more love is GKIDS and Gebeka Films’ Mars Express, a cyberpunk detective story that feels refreshing and unique, while still feeling like a loving homage to films like Blade Runner. Mars Express combines its dark, deeply flawed world with characters that feel jaded and confused about their place in the world, making for a film that has both intriguing themes about humanity typical of its genre as well as richly developed characters. This is all in spite of a short runtime, which sees Mars Express cram an involved story about the relationship between humans and robots cohabitating with each other and the prejudice that arises from such a situation.
Mars Express is incredibly stylish and distinct from any other film released in 2024, animated or otherwise. For fans of cyberpunk storytelling and of animation, this is an essential watch.
18. Ghostlight
Ghostlight is one of the most heartful movies of the year, depicting a story about a man coping with the loss of his son through embracing theater. This film combines tragedy, comedy, and newfound hope in a beautifully realized story. // Image: IFC Films
Another overlooked film from 2024 is Ghostlight, an incredible drama that explores a construction worker that turns to a local theater production company to cope with the recent loss of his son. Turning to drama makes protagonist Dan reframe how he looks at much of his life. A gruff, emotionally distant father slowly sheds emotional vulnerability as he learns that theater allows him to become more like the type of person he aspires to be.
In truth, Ghostlight is one of the most quietly moving movies of the year thanks to a remarkably down-to-earth tone that permeates the entire film. Through strong performances that greatly encapsulate the quiet, somber reality of trying to move on after losing a child to the smart writing and direction on display here, Ghostlight is an incredible drama that deserves to be seen by more people.
17. Boy Kills World
Boy Kills World is one of the most inventive action movies in recent memory, making for an unbelievably fun, over-the-top, bloody, and memorable viewing experience. // Image: Roadside Attractions
Boy Kills World may be the most innovative and refreshing take on action movies since The Raid: Redemption. This film makes for what is doubtlessly one of the most fun theater experiences of the year. The premise: the unnamed Boy becomes deaf and mute as a child, and trains into his adulthood to get revenge for the loss of his mother. This premise is contextualized in a dystopian, surprisingly lore-rich setting that feels ripe for expansion in future films. Ultimately, though, Boy Kills World provides some of the most inventive action that is unlike anything else being provided in the action film landscape right now. It’s over-the-top, in your face, and is tinged with a great humorous hook. Since the protagonist is deaf and mute, this inevitably brings about situations where the protagonist is unable to communicate with others, which makes for both incredibly funny moments as well as brutal action finishers.
The action genre doesn’t get too many films that feel like a step forward for the genre as a whole, but Boy Kills World is absolutely one such film. This is a movie that is an essential watch for any fan of action and wants to see something that’s unlike anything they’ve seen before.
16. Perfect Days
Perfect Days saw its wide U.S. release in 2024, and made for one of the quietest, most profound films of recent memory. Featuring a protagonist that keeps to himself for most of the film, Perfect Days is a brilliantly somber film that captures the lonely joys of everyday life. // Image: Neon
Throughout so much of our lives, we spend much of our days by ourselves, doing whatever we can to get by. Sometimes, that loneliness can be overwhelming and make us feel like we’re just a meaningless spec in the universe. Other times, loneliness can be comfortable - we can get to appreciate the world for what it is, and embrace the world we have. It’s rare for a film to depict this deceptively sad tranquility, which is what makes Perfect Days such a fantastic film.
In many ways, Perfect Days is a slice-of-life film. We simply watch protagonist Hirayama go about his day from beginning to end as he goes about a schedule that the audience becomes quickly familiar with. He wakes up in the morning, hears a neighbor brush the streets, listens to cassette tapes while he drives, cleans public bathrooms around Tokyo, occasionally takes pictures of whatever catches his eye throughout the day, grabs dinner, then reads a book before going to bed. As Hirayama quietly goes about his days, he spends a remarkable amount of time by himself. In the instances where he spends time with others, he’s either being annoyed by an incompetent coworker or having to host a runaway niece. There’s an overall relaxed tone to Perfect Days that mirrors the mind state of its protagonist, but the quietude display throughout the film is one that is multi-layered. Living a quiet life can be evocative of running away from conflict in life, and that’s something that Perfect Days suggests but never fully confirms for its protagonist. The lack of hard answers and the willingness to let Hirayama’s quiet life speak for itself is what makes Perfect Days such a special film to watch.
The film is admittedly light on conflict, but the mission of Perfect Days is one that’s concerned with showing the small conflicts and blessings that we see in everyday life. To that end, Perfect Days brilliantly succeeds at its mission.
15. The Wild Robot
The Wild Robot is a movie that will deliver a fun adventure for younger audiences and an emotional roller coaster for parents. This is a stellar animated film that smartly discusses parenthood and belonging through a satisfying adventure. // Image: DreamWorks Animation
The Wild Robot accompanies Puss in Boots: The Last Wish as being proof that DreamWorks Animation is putting out some of the most impressive and stylish animation to date. On top of being a gorgeous film to look at, The Wild Robot tells a post-apocalyptic story about a service robot, Roz, that adopts a goose after accidentally crushing its nest after finding itself on an island entirely populated by animals that segregate themselves from one another. In a setting where every animal is only out for themselves, Roz is tasked with parenting and looking after Brightbill, her adopted goose, along with teaching him how to fly in time for migration season. To do so, she needs the help of the local animal population, making for an adventure that requires Roz to learn more about parenthood and the needs of animals. In turn, Roz’ efforts slowly bring the island’s residents closer together, making for a tale focused on embracing community even in the face of perceived differences.
The Wild Robot is a great adventure with tons of positive, meaningful messages for any audience to receive. However, The Wild Robot’s themes on parenthood are particularly profound and ensure that the film will strike as much of, if not more of a chord with older audiences, particularly parents, than it will with younger audiences. This is truly a movie for everyone - having stellar animation, a tight script with strong pacing, and a lovable collection of characters certainly helps accomplish such a thing. The Wild Robot is a phenomenal animated feature that stands as one of DreamWorks Animation’s very best.
14. Daddio
Daddio is proof that films can accomplish a lot with very little. This film is entirely carried by a tight script delivered by two excellent performances, making for a conversation that’s enticing to be a part of as a viewer. // Image: Sony Pictures Classics
Spectacle has overtaken cinema. This isn’t inherently a bad thing, but it’s made smaller-scale storytelling more of a rarity. Even within the indie space, it’s quite rare to get to see movies that entirely revolve around two characters interacting in a single location throughout a film’s entire runtime. This is what makes Daddio such a unique treasure of a film - it is effectively a long conversation between a woman and a taxi driver as she takes a ride from the airport to her home in New York. It’s a mundane premise that almost every viewer can relate with - but what makes this relatable premise work as well as it does is the enthralling conversation that takes place between its two characters.
Despite only having two characters onscreen throughout the entire film’s runtime, Daddio makes for some of the best character study content I’ve seen in a long time. Both characters here are supremely flawed, but believably so, and their flaws that come forward give rise to a conversation that feels as interesting to follow as it is believable to see unfold. What helps is the tight writing on display as well as the phenomenal performances from Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn. It’s very rare that a movie centered around a single conversation keeps me invested throughout the whole time, but Daddio kept me incredibly invested from beginning to end. This is another overlooked film from 2024 that deserves more visibility. The conversation in this film is one with listening in on.
13. A Real Pain
A Real Pain is a road trip movie unlike any other as it combines humor and heart shown through its two completely different characters that create a great emotional through line. // Image: Searchlight Pictures
As I write this, a common thread I’m noticing throughout some of my favorite films of this year is that most of them feature great lead performances that help lift the emotional weight of their respective film’s storytelling. Such is absolutely the case with A Real Pain, a movie that sees cousins David and Benji go on a chaotic adventure featuring a Holocaust tour that helps them grieve their recently deceased grandmother. The two cousins couldn’t be further opposites from each other - David is calculated and cautious while Benji is impulsive and is willing to talk to anyone willing to listen to whatever he has to say. The contrast between these two characters and how they interact with the world around them makes for an intriguing adventure. The differences between them make for good humor, but their similarities with each other is what brings great emotion to the spirit of this film.
Indeed, A Real Pain is primarily interested in exploring the process through which different people grieve, specifically for people that are intrinsically tied to one’s own upbringing. There’s as much darkness in A Real Pain’s narrative as there is wit and brightness. The film masterfully knows when to let silence speak for itself and when to let loose by letting characters say whatever is on their mind. The restraint on display in both the script and the lead performances makes for an unforgettable road trip feature that will bring laughs, tears, and newfound hope.
12. Exhibiting Forgiveness
A sobering and somber film, Exhibiting Forgiveness explores the seemingly impossible task of forgiving but not forgetting the harm done to us during pivotal moments in our lives. // Image: Roadside Attractions
Few movies elicited as much of an emotional response within me as Exhibiting Forgiveness this year. This is a somber film that sees a painter reunite with his absent father for the first time in his adulthood. As a young father himself, protagonist Tarrell struggles to confidently be a present father for his son and reflects on how his own experience of having an estranged father has affected his personality and ability to be a parent. Exhibiting Forgiveness is a deeply introspective film that openly confronts the discomfort and occasional impossibility of reconciliation.
There are particular conversations between Tarrell (André Holland) and La’Ron (Jon Earl Jelks) that make for some of the most emotionally charged moments of any movie throughout the year. Indeed, the film’s presentation through performances, music, and painting makes for an emotional spectacle that’s impossible to forget.
You can read more of my thoughts on Exhibiting Forgiveness here.
11. Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds
One of the most visually striking movies of the year, Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds tells a delightfully whimsical fantasy story that sees two sisters coming closer together. While the premise is nothing new, the execution in Sirocco is unbelievably charming. // Image: GKIDS
Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds feels like a portal to the past. This Belgian-French animated feature is evocative of an era where animation could depict whimsical adventures with vivid imagery and fun imagination on display without a looming corporate shadow casting the film in a cynical light. Indeed, Sirocco feels like it is primarily concerned with just being a fun film that can be enjoyed by all ages. It doesn’t explore new territory thanks to essentially being an isekai where two sisters learn how to work with and trust one another, but the distinct vibe and style on display is what gives Sirocco its charming identity.
The mix of psychedelic, otherworldly visuals with cheery, likable characters makes for an adventure that is incredibly refreshing and joyous to go on. Sirocco was genuinely one of the only films of the year that simply made me feel like a kid and reaffirmed my love for the unique storytelling capabilities of animation. This is precisely the type of film I would love to see more of, as Sirocco exudes passion from every second of animation. This is a film that needs to be seen by as many people as possible as proof that unique, imaginative animation is alive and well.
10. Flow
Despite being a story filled with non-verbal characters navigating a post-apocalyptic world, Flow manages to communicate a lot in its 85 minutes. The world Flow depicts is one that’s mysterious, yet trusts the audience to come to their own conclusions based on the limited information presented in this animated feature. // Image: Janus Films
Speaking of imaginative animation being alive and well, Flow begins the top 10 portion of this list by being an incredible adventure flick with an art style unlike any other film that I’ve seen. The shading, in particular, gives each animal in Flow’s narrative a particular texture to them, contrasting with the bright, saturated eyes for each animal. The look of these creatures is more essential than in most animated films thanks to Flow’s dedication to telling an entirely non-verbal story. With the lack of words comes a lack of answers - the apocalypse that Flow depicts is one that isn’t entirely explained to the audience. But like the animals trying to navigate and survive this rapidly changing world, the audience simply needs to accept what is happening and move towards the future alongside the characters onscreen.
Flow is an infectiously cute movie, but it also manages to tug at viewers’ heartstrings as the posse that forms on the ship across a vast ocean becomes a tight-knit group that simply wants to survive together. The result is a gorgeous film that looks unlike any other movie I’ve seen as well as a film that flexes the unique kind of story that’s capable through animation. Indeed, Flow places an incredible trust in its audience to understand what is trying to be communicated by the world and the way animals react to one another. That trust creates a movie that exhibits great intellectual integrity, making for a film that leads to a surprising variety of interpretations and takeaways. Any fan of animation, young or old, owes it to themselves to see Flow, arguably the most visually ambitious movie of 2024.
9. We Grown Now
We Grown Now is a somber but genuine depiction of growing up in an untenable environment where life will inevitably take you away from friends that you make. // Image: Sony Pictures Classics
Few films paint the world through a child’s eyes as We Grown Now does. Young boys Malik and Eric navigate their youth in a flawed but freeing world where they can embrace whatever ideas their imaginations conjure. But as the world around them shifts, it becomes clear that the environment they’ve grown up together in isn’t one that’s sustainable to live in throughout their lives. We Grown Now is a heartful depiction of the severance of friendships born of our immediate surroundings at a young age. What was once a friendship that came into existence by way of proximity becomes a challenging confrontation for Malik and Eric as they are faced with the reality that Malik and his family will move to a place where they’ll be financially better off in the long run.
This is a remarkably quaint film that embraces small moments and the conflict between the imaginative idealism of youth and the pessimistic realism of adulthood. Despite featuring somber moments, We Grown Now is a remarkably bittersweet film that doesn’t linger on the sourness and bitterness that grows between Malik and Eric’s friendship. This is a phenomenal drama for those looking for stories that focus on a conflict that may seem small to adults but feels gigantic to a child.
8. Heretic
Like Daddio, Heretic is an entirely conversation-driven movie and it’s one that remains enticing thanks to charismatic performances and impeccably smart writing that’s centered around the fallacies of religion and faith. // Image: A24
Without a doubt, Heretic is one of the most thought-provoking movies of the year because it essentially forces the audience into a philosophical conversation about the fallacies of religion and faith. In what is one of the greatest performances in any film this decade, Hugh Grant as Mr. Reed sits down with two Mormon missionaries as an informational conversation about Mormonism transforms into a frightening and thrilling intellectual journey that tests the missionaries’ true beliefs.
Heretic accomplishes a lot with a little, similar to Daddio. This is a film that primarily takes place in a single house, yet the use of visual motifs such as with wooden figures keeps things visually interesting. That said, the film’s stupendous writing and performances is the glue that keeps this entire film together, with the religion-centered conversation being what makes this film work so well. It’s incredibly refreshing to see a movie be so thoughtful and critical about religion while still having the restraint and pacing to be nuanced and fun to watch. It can be debated on whether Heretic is truly a horror movie or a thriller, but regardless of how you choose to define this film, it can’t be argued that this is an intellectually ambitious film that’s bold, unique, and essential to watch for anyone curious to engage with the subject matter.
7. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
It’s rare for a documentary to hit me incredibly hard, but Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story may very well be the most emotionally resonant film of the year. This film will elicit every emotion under the sun to any viewer. // Image: Warner Bros. Pictures, HBO Documentary Films
I’m not typically a documentary viewer - however, there are certain documentaries that catch my eye due to a unique mission they undertake. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is the rare example of a film being released theatrically and it also delivered a mission that I found intriguing: telling the story of Christopher Reeve before and after his paralysis-inducing horse-riding accident. Upon seeing the film, I found myself floored by the overflowing power of this narrative. Indeed, Super/Man is a story of overcoming tragedy and helping send a message of empowerment, courage, and determination even in the face of your entire life being upended.
The editing and presentation of Super/Man is truly what propels it to being one of the best films of 2024. The means through which Super/Man shows Reeve’s life story after being paralyzed as well as his rise to stardom paints the picture of a man who made a profound impact on those around him - such an impact leaves behind a legacy and story that inspires as much as it wounds the heart. I found myself floored by the incredible emotion on display here, and its a level of emotion that feels earned through the power of great structure and pacing. Super/Man may very well be seen as one of the best documentaries of all time and should be studied as a blueprint for how to make a powerful documentary that will make viewers walk away with boundless hope and inspiration.
6. Love Lies Bleeding
Love Lies Bleeding is a fantastic fusing of compelling drama, body horror, and romance that feels unlike anything else in A24’s portfolio. While the famed indie studio had a somewhat mixed year, Love Lies Bleeding stands as a shining example of the kinds of incredible storytelling provided through this distributor. // Image: A24
Romance, thrills, crime drama, and a touch of horror. It’s a combination that throws a lot together and under worse direction, it probably would have fallen apart. But Rose Glass’ sophomore film brings these elements together to create an unforgettable story about revenge, love, and the price we pay for visibility and power. Kristen Stewart as Lou and Katy O’Brian as Jackie make for the best onscreen couple of the year thanks to nuanced performances that combine palpable affection towards each other with a clear frustration and annoyance aimed at their differences on how to go about their lives and ideals for revenge.
Loves Lies Bleeding is an unpredictable adventure in the best way possible, often going to places that inject surreal elements into an otherwise grounded depiction of small-town America. While this film has an ostensible darkness to it, it’s balanced out by the sense of idealism hidden within its characters - one that pines for a greater life beyond the small sliver of the world they’ve lived their whole lives in. Another overlooked film from 2024, Love Lies Bleeding is an incredible journey that is one of the most thrilling experiences the year had to offer.
5. Look Back
Any artist needs to watch Look Back. This film is a thorough examination of putting all of oneself into their craft, even when it brings detrimental consequences to the connections they forge. // Image: Avex Pictures
Look Back is a love letter to the pursuit of creating. Whether you’re an artist, a writer, a musician, or anyone that wants to produce something made to be enjoyed by others, this is a movie that you need to see. This film depicts two young girls, Fujino and Kyomoto, navigate their childhood and early adulthood as they pursue becoming artists. A blissful friendship is born from their shared love of creating manga, and their collaboration brings success. Such success is cut short, though, is they have differing views on how to direct their lives after publishing a manga together. The aftermath of Fujino and Kyomoto’s beautifully depicted friendship is one that’s both incredibly well brought to life through stunning animation as well as emotionally devastating.
Studio Durian brings Tatsuki Fujimoto’s unique visual identity to life with vivid, colorful, and smooth animation that isn’t afraid to experiment with alternate art styles to showcase the visual style of its characters’ artistry. Moreover, Look Back features a lo-fi, piano-driven soundtrack by haruka nakamura (sic) that gives the film a stunningly bittersweet and melancholic tone. Look Back delivers incredible themes about the price we pay to pursue our dreams and beautifully shows the push and pull between isolation, friendship, and wanting to leave an impact on the world. The emotion throughout Look Back is intoxicating and deserves to be experienced by as wide of an audience as possible.
4. Dìdi
Dìdi is so much more than a snapshot of mid-to-late 2000s culture. It’s also a profound look at the struggles of growing up in an era that’s slowly morphing into a digital era, leading to compelling, emotional drama. // Image: Focus Features
You actually have Dìdi to thank for even reading this blog post in the first place. Dìdi was a film that was so emotionally captivating that I felt incredibly compelled to talk about it, and revived my blog to do just that. I wanted to share my thoughts about Dìdi with the world because I find it to be a remarkable achievement in intelligently communicating the unique struggles of those growing up in the mid-to-late 2000s in a strained Asian-American family. Chris is perhaps the perfect depiction of someone trying to find themselves in this weird transitional era that saw social media and technology finding more of a foothold in peoples’ lives. Chris is a confused, flawed, and often irresponsible character, but his struggles, particularly with feeling like he brings shame to his mother, feel remarkably profound, genuine, and honest.
Dìdi is an unapologetically politically incorrect film that most directors would shy away from making, but Dìdi’s lack of sanitization makes it feel like more of a genuine, honest homage to era it’s characters live in, making for a movie that feels authentic about the experience it depicts. Beyond that, Dìdi is an incredible exploration of family dynamics and the complicated role it plays in finding one’s own identity. Put simply, this film transported me to a different time and place while fully realizing and exploring the wants of its characters. Dìdi is a special film that I’m glad exists - it’s a modern masterpiece of storytelling that needs to be seen by way more people.
3. Sing Sing
Sing Sing is brimming with pain, hope, and humanity. This is a film that is unlike any other prison drama by rooting itself with a protagonist that feels like the antithesis to any genre trope. With brilliant writing and performances, Sing Sing is an unforgettable beacon of hope. // Image: A24
Few movies feel as tragically real as Sing Sing. A group of characters find solace in the hopeless experience of being in prison through participating in a theater program. It helps them find themselves and make the most out of an otherwise miserable existence. For protagonist Divine G, brilliantly brought to life by Colman Domingo’s brilliant performance that is, in my mind, the greatest acting performance of the year, the trust in the process of getting out of prison is the only thing keeping him going. Claiming to have been imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit, Divine G is a character that’s impossible not to love and root for. There’s consistent beauty on display throughout the film thanks to the way that Divine G and the other inmates find purpose in a maximum-security prison.
What makes Sing Sing so impressive is its authenticity. In addition to the genuine performances on display, Sing Sing was filmed in an actual correctional facility and doesn’t pull its punches when it comes to depicting the often hopeless and unfair situations that these inmates experience throughout their lives. Despite the misery that permeates these characters’ lives, it’s impossible not to feel hopeful while watching this movie. Sing Sing exudes a palpable optimism in spite of the tragedy depicted therein, and that’s what makes it such an electric film to experience.
2. Strange Darling
Strange Darling is a film that can’t be thoroughly talked about without spoiling it. It’s a film unlike any other in tone, in structure, and in sheer ambition. This is one of the most spectacularly suspenseful films ever made. // Image: Magenta Light Studios
Unlike the other movies in this list, I won’t be giving any details about Strange Darling. It’s a movie that is genuinely best enjoyed by knowing as little as possible going into it. Strange Darling is a movie that’s so good that it genuinely makes you critically look at the own biases that you take with you when you engage with any piece of media. It’s a film that makes you question your own preconceived notions and expectations of movies of a certain genre, of a certain style, and from a certain perspective. This movie makes you rethink your own role as a viewer of a movie and makes you begin looking at movies through a different lens.
That may seem like on odd way of praising Strange Darling, but that genuinely encapsulates my experience of watching the film. Strange Darling was one of the only movies this year that actively made me go “Wow!” once the credits began rolling. It has been a genuinely long time since a movie has put me at a loss for words after having seen it, but Strange Darling managed to do it. It’s a movie that is genuinely innovative and stands as one of my favorite movies of all time thanks to the bold direction it goes in. Everyone needs to see Strange Darling.
You can read more of my thoughts on Strange Darling here (keep in mind that this review is heavily analysis-focused, and thus includes spoilers. For the best viewing experience, I recommend reading reviews and analyses of this film after having watched it for yourself).
Robot Dreams
Robot Dreams is everything a movie should be. It’s heartful, it’s a labor of love, and it reaffirms the reason why we see movies in the first place: it tells a story that everyone can learn from and enjoy watching unfold. This film is a testament to the power of animation. // Image: Neon
Words fail to capture what makes Robot Dreams such a special movie, which is oddly appropriate for this film given that it tells its story entirely non-verbally, much like Flow. It’s hard to describe Robot Dreams in any way other than saying that it’s a movie that makes you feel. The wordless yet elaborate friendship between Dog and Robot is so heartwarming to see onscreen that, when they’re separated, the audience is immediately on board with the primary conflict of the film. Robot Dreams would be an exceptionally fun film if it had taken the easy route of being a story about friends reuniting with each other after being separated for so long.
What makes Robot Dreams such a fantastically special film, though, is that it refuses to take the easy route. Despite its simplistic art style and jubilant tone, Robot Dreams tells an emotionally mature story about the changing nature of life and how difficult yet freeing moving forward in life can be. Like Flow, Robot Dreams manages to say a lot through saying very little, and that’s largely in thanks to the incredible expression and creativity uniquely capable through 2D animation. Many of my favorite animated films depict stories that are just as valuable to children as they are to adults, but Robot Dreams’ story is a cut above just about any other animated feature’s story due to how much it nails the landing for telling a story filled with happiness, pain, and the will to move forward in life even when things don’t turn out the way we expect nor want. This is a story that doesn’t just teach vital lessons to its audience - it invites its audience to look at their lives with the same newfound hope and optimism that Dog and Robot find in the film’s conclusion.
Like any medium of art, movies should make you feel alive, and Robot Dreams was unquestionably the film that made me feel the most alive this year. It’s a film that will make you feel intense happiness and unbelievable sorrow all while having a fun time with the unique way the film is animated. Robot Dreams is a masterpiece that deserves to be considered as one of the greatest animated films of all time.
I find myself grateful for having gotten to see so many incredible movies in 2024. With delays from COVID and the SAG-AFTRA strikes mostly in the rearview mirror at this point, the future for the film industry feels the brightest it has been in a long time. 2024 was unquestionably a year where indie films dominated my mind for most of the year. Whether it’s through inventive horror or non-verbal animation, 2024 offered some of the best films of the last decade.
Here’s to 2025 making for an even better year at the movies!
Thank you very much for reading! What are your favorite movies of 2024? As always, join the conversation and let me know what you think in the comments or on Bluesky @derekexmachina.com.
