Best Movies of 2024
By Sioph W. Leal
Streaming might be the most popular way to watch a movie but there’s something beloved about experiencing it on the big screen, surrounded by people all eager for the impending enjoyment and the grandeur of watching something on a cinema screen. There are some varied choices but here are our top five for 2024:
5) All of Us Strangers
Adam is a screenwriter who is drawn to his family home, where he sees his deceased parents at the age they died. He is older and lived through more than they have which is a new and interesting take. While this could have easily been a horror aspect, there is something nostalgic and comforting about these scenes as Adam tells his parents of his life and they confront their past, their relationship and comfort each other. Although they’re ghosts, they’re very physical and it helps you feel the closeness of the relationship. In his apartment building, Adam has a new neighbour, Harry and as their relationship flourishes, Scott delivers one of the most underrated performances of the year. Anyone who has lost someone will feel vulnerable watching All of Us Strangers while also longing for what could have been.
4) Dune: Part 2
Timothée Chalamet returns as Paul Atreides uniting with the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future. Dune: Part One was a masterpiece, with Chalamet proving his acting talents and Dune: Part Two cements this, while bringing Zendaya’s Chani to the forefront of the movie. Talent like Rebecca Ferguson, Austin Butler bring some elevation to the second part, and seeing performances from Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan has viewers eagerly anticipating the third installment.
3) Conclave
Conclave takes you behind the scenes at how a new Pope is selected, but it’s not as easy as one might think. Following the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Lawrence has his hands full managing the potential popes while unmasking scandals that could destroy the church. Each scene is captivating, visually stunning with brilliant performances that highlight the complexities of the script. Oscar nominees Ralph Finnes, Stanley Tucci, John Lighgow, deliver fantastic performances but it's Carlos Diehz that truly shines. No one will believe that this is his first major movie and if this is his beginning, I’m excited to see what Diehz has coming up.
2) The Substance
Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle is a famous Hollywood actress with a hit aerobics TV show, that is until she ages. Given that Hollywood doesn't take too kindly to women aging naturally, Elisabeth is fired. Looking to reinvent herself, Elisabeth takes a black market serum called “The Substance” turning her into another, better version of herself, for seven days. Her other self is younger, perkier Sue, portrayed by Margaret Qualley, and as the film progresses, you see the true cost of youth and success in Hollywood. The last twenty minutes of The Substance is grotesque as the physical manifestation of the cost of perfection takes form and takes aim at the industry beauty standards and how it corrupts even the most successful and beautiful.
1) Wicked
As a fan of the Broadway musical for decades and having suffered casting rumours for this adaptation for the same amount of time, when Wicked finally announced its official cast there was a lot of noise and some doubt but all put to rest and changed to admiration to the talent of all involved. Arianna Grande proves her acting chops and immense vocal range as Glinda and Cythia Erivo was a powerhouse of undeniable talent. After a few years of bad musical adaptations like Cats (2019) and Dear Evan Hanson (2021), Wicked shows that you can make something incredible when you handle it with care and love which Jon M. Chu does with every scene and decision made in part one. Splitting the story in two was one of the best moves but even more amazing is how Wicked does not feel like an incomplete story. Every change or tweak was seemingly made from respect for the original stage production while eagerly making you want the next part.