As the year draws to a close, film critics reflect on a cinematic landscape marked by both challenges and triumphs. Despite an ever-shifting entertainment industry and the dominance of high-budget blockbusters, 2024 has delivered a wealth of remarkable films that often fly under the mainstream radar. Here are the five standout movies of the year, showcasing the depth and diversity of storytelling in modern cinema.
1. ‘All We Imagine as Light’
Director: Payal Kapadia
Where to Watch: In theaters
Payal Kapadia’s poignant drama weaves a tender narrative of friendship and resilience among three hospital workers in Mumbai: two nurses and a cook. As their lives intertwine, the film explores everyday joys, challenges, and the solace found in human connection. Kapadia’s unique style, shaped by her documentary experience, integrates scenes of ordinary city life, creating a profound link between her characters and the broader human experience. ‘All We Imagine as Light’ is a quiet yet powerful meditation on empathy and shared humanity.
2. ‘Ernie Gehr: Mechanical Magic’
Director: Ernie Gehr
Where to Watch: Retrospective screenings
A retrospective of experimental filmmaker Ernie Gehr’s work at the Museum of Modern Art offered some of the year’s most mind-expanding cinematic experiences. Free from conventional narrative constraints, Gehr’s films focus on ordinary moments—clouds drifting across a blue sky, pedestrians in front of a shop window—and transform them into mesmerizing studies of light, motion, and perception. His films challenge viewers to see the world anew, celebrating the beauty of the mundane.
3. ‘A Real Pain’
Director: Jesse Eisenberg
Where to Watch: In theaters
Jesse Eisenberg’s directorial effort is a heartfelt exploration of intergenerational trauma and familial bonds. Co-starring Kieran Culkin, the film follows two estranged cousins who reconnect during a heritage tour in Poland after their grandmother’s passing. Blending humor and heartbreak, ‘A Real Pain’ delves into the enduring emotional scars of the Holocaust while resisting simplistic resolutions. Eisenberg’s nuanced storytelling captures the complexity of relationships and the elusive nature of understanding.
4. ‘Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World’
Director: Radu Jude
Where to Watch: Streaming on Mubi
Romanian filmmaker Radu Jude delivers a bold, darkly comedic commentary on capitalism and cultural identity. The film follows Angela, played with charisma by Ilinca Manolache, as she navigates Bucharest in her battered car, conducting interviews for a corporate safety video. Through Angela’s journey, the film juxtaposes Romania’s post-communist realities with global capitalist excess. With its wild narrative and sharp humor, ‘Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World’ is an exhilarating cinematic experience.
5. ‘Dahomey’
Director: Mati Diop
Where to Watch: In theaters
Mati Diop’s documentary ‘Dahomey’ offers a profound examination of colonialism and cultural restitution. The film begins in Paris, where replicas of the Eiffel Tower are sold by African street vendors near the Quai Branly Museum. The narrative focuses on the return of 26 looted artifacts to Benin in 2019, framed by a combination of archival material, student voices, and an anthropomorphic statue serving as a narrator. Diop’s inventive approach transforms a historical moment into a compelling reflection on identity, art, and post-colonial legacy.
A Year of Cinematic Riches
While 2024 saw its share of mainstream hits and misses, these films remind us of cinema’s capacity to illuminate, challenge, and inspire. Whether through intimate human stories or bold artistic experiments, these standout movies showcase the enduring power of the medium to connect us to the world—and each other.
You Might Be Interested In:
