Frank J. Avella’s 13 Best Films of 2024

2024 has been a topsy-turvy year in cinema with certain unbelievably overrated movies being lauded by critics. Alas, it’s all subjective. Let’s see what SAG and AMPAS decide in the coming weeks.

On to my list of 13 favorite cinematic achievements of 2024, plus runners-up and top performances.

FYI: any of my top three could be in the number one spot at any given time, depending on my mood. I’ve seen them all twice. All are worthy.

September 5

I’m angered at the idea that this brilliant film is being swept aside because it isn’t in vogue politically, and I can’t help but call out antisemitism, even when it might be peripheral. Tim Fehlbaum’s September 5 takes a horrific story told many times before, that of terrorists who massacred 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympic Games and reinvigorates it. Fehlbaum’s claustrophobic narrative allows the viewer to  meditate on their own prejudices—something so vital right now considering the divisive state of the world. The cast boasts outstanding work by Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro and the subtle but potent Leonie Benesch.

Anora

Sean Baker’s biting, dark comedy romance, Anora, is, deservedly, one of the most critically-acclaimed films of the year thanks to an original multi-genre narrative and wacky wonderful performances Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov who lead a fab ensemble. This bittersweet film gets better with repeated viewings. 

Wicked

I would have never imagined that Wicked would be among my favorite films of 2024. I think the stage version is okay but am certainly not a fan. But Jon M. Chu’s splendiferous, perfectly-cast film version, rethinks the book and show for the visual medium and adds depth to the two central characters. The film, like several this year, warns against fascism. And a trio of magnificent actors are cherries on this glorious cake: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande-Butera and Jonathan Bailey.  

The Room Next Door

Pedro Almodóvar’s first English-language film, The Room Next Door, is one of those gems that has been swept under the critical carpet, and it’s a damn shame because it is transcendent cinema with female friendship at the core of the story. Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton do some of their best work in years—and that’s saying a lot. Almodóvar continues to surprise and raise the cinematic bar.

The Brutalist

Here is an ambitious, epic work that was presented out-of-focus at the press screening I attended in Venice, which was frustrating since I honestly wasn’t certain if it was a (crap) directorial choice or misprojection. Turns out it was the latter and on a second viewing, ironically on my large HDTV, I was able to truly appreciate this monumental motion picture–a scathing yet perspicacious comment on class and antisemitism in our country post-WW2. Sadly, it’s timelier than ever.

A Complete Unknown

James Mangold sets out to pay homage to one of this country’s true music legends but also keep true to his mystery and he achieves just that with A Complete Unknown. Timothée Chalamet becomes Bob Dylan, and the film chronicles his early years from struggling folk singer to superstar. Edward Norton, Monica Barbaro and, especially, Elle Fanning add to the poetry of the narrative.

I’m Still Here

In Brazil’s shortlisted Oscar entry, I’m Still Here, renown filmmaker Walter Salles crafts a tantalizing work about the effects a totalitarian government takeover has on one family too close to the previous administration. Based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s personal account (screenplay by Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega) and set in Rio de Janeiro the film boasts an extraordinary lead turn by Fernanda Torres, daughter of Central Station Oscar-nominee Fernanda Montenegro.

Conclave

German filmmaker Edward Berger’s Conclave mixes Dan Brown thrills with real-life democratic election machinations, set within the Roman Catholic hierarchy, where an elderly Pope has just died, and new Pontiff must be selected. Ralph Fiennes, ridiculously denied an Oscar for Schindler’s List back in 1993, is the rightful frontrunner this year and helps elevate Conclave to levels of stirring drama worthy of hosannahs.

Hard Truths

What Marianne Jean-Baptiste does in Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths is nothing short of astonishing. She embodies an angry raging perpetually-annoyed woman, ironically named Pansy, who no one can stand and then very slowly allows teeny-tiny layers to peel back so we begin to see the vulnerable young girl whose life was decimated by a demanding mother and a loveless marriage. Hard Truths is Mike Leigh’s best film in decades and the auteur wisely allows for ambiguity. We’ve all known a Pansy or three in our lives. This film asks that we take time to understand them instead of judging and/or dismissing them.

Armand

In one of the most crowded best lead actress races in decades, too many terrific performances aren’t even being mentioned by the prognosticators. One that merits attention is Renate Reinsve for her incredibly tricky and enigmatic work in Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel’s bold first feature, Armand, a film that challenges conventional cinematic comfort levels and questions expected human behavior. Armand is Norway’s International Feature Oscar submission and, rightly, made the short list.

Between the Temples

Carol Kane should a national treasure who has been beguiling us with amazing work on screen and TV for over five decades. In Nathan Silver’s delightful indie, Between the Temples, she etches yet another nuanced portrait, that of a former music teacher who decides she wants to be bat mitzvah’d.  And Cantor Jason Schwartzman falls for her. Who wouldn’t?

Sebastian

Fearless newcomer Ruaridh Mollica captivates in Finnish-British filmmaker Mikko Mäkelä’s nuanced exploration of identity and queer sexuality, Sebastian, easily the best queer film of 2024. The indie focuses on a writer who immerses himself in sex work for the initial purpose of honesty. But gets in a bit too deep. Mäkelä eschews the obvious narrative choices for something deeper and more authentic.

Strange Darling

A neat kind of cinematic mindfuckery is afoot in JT Mollner’s deceptive yet enveloping thriller, Strange Darling, Nothing is what it initially seems, and spoilers would just…spoil. Suffice to say, strap in and let Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner take you on their post-one-night-stand murderous journey through six bracing non-linear chapters.

Special Mention to a film currently seeking distribution:

Waves

Czech helmer Jiří Mádl’s sweeping, emotionally gripping feature film, Waves, is the story of two brother, set against the backdrop of the Prague Spring student rebellion of 1968 and the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia.  Inspired by the true story of a group of intrepid journalists, the film certainly resonates with today’s escalating threats against the media worldwide and in Trump’s America. This is a powerful work that deserves to be seen and justly made the Oscar shortlist for International Feature.

Runners-up

Sugarcane, Babygirl, A Real Pain, The Wild Robot, Dune Part 2, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, Blitz, One Life, Challengers, A Different Man, Universal Language, Vermiglio, Come Closer, Juror #2, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, High Tide, Exhibiting Forgiveness, My Old Ass, Touch, Lake George, Three Kilometres to the End of the World, The Count of Monte Cristo.

Outstanding Lead Actor

Ralph Fiennes in Conclave & The Return

Timothée Chalamet in A Complete Unknown

James Norton in Nowhere Special

Ruaridh Mollica in Sebastian

Adrien Brody in The Brutalist

Runners Up: Colman Domingo in Sing Sing, Michael C. Pitt in Day of the Fight

Outstanding Lead Actress

Nicole Kidman in Babygirl

Tilda Swinton in The Room Next Door & The End

Marianne Jean-Baptiste in Hard Truths

Mikey Madison in Anora

Renate Reinsve in Armand

Runners Up: Kate Winslet in Lee, Fernanda Torres in I’m Still Here

Outstanding Supporting Actress

Carol Kane in Between the Temples

Ariana Grande-Butera in Wicked

Zoe Saldaña in Emilia Pérez (even though she’s really lead)

Leonie Benesch in September 5

Danielle Deadwyler in The Piano Lesson

Runners Up: Lady Gaga in Joker: Folie à Deux, Jeannie Berlin in I’ll Be Right There, Elle Fanning in A Complete Unknown

Outstanding Supporting Actor

Guy Pearce in The Brutalist

Clarence Maclin in Sing Sing

Mark Eydelshteyn in Anora

Kieran Culkin in A Real Pain (even though he’s really lead)

Yura Borisov in Anora

Runners Up: Jeremy Strong in The Apprentice, John Magaro in September 5, Jonathan Bailey in Wicked