A24was founded just over a decade ago, and in that time, it has put together a roster of unique, creatively distinctive, andemotionally resonant films. The production and distribution company has spent years proving that it has an eye for spotting indie gems, with the most recent notable example beingTalk to Me,the Australian horror/thriller film that premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. It immediately sparked a bidding war that A24 eventually won, earning the right to distribute the film in the United States.
Talk to Meis just one of many A24 films to have gained significant critical and/or commercial acclaim. 2022 was arguably the greatest year the production house has had so far, with its projects cleaning up at the 95th Academy Awards. That was no flash-in-the-pan either, as the company has been doing consistently stellar work for years, with viewers showing their appreciation for multiple A24 movies online. Here are the 10 highest-rated A24 movies onIMDb.
10Waves — 7.5
A number of A24’s best projects deal with an intimate look at family and relationship dynamics driving the plot.Waves, which was released in 2019, tells the story of an African-American family trying to keep things together in the face of unimaginable difficulties. A deeply emotional script brought to life by fantastic performances across the board,Wavestakes viewers ona remarkable journey.
Over the course of its 135-minute run time, viewers begin by looking through a window, witnessing events that threaten to rip the Williams family apart. In a matter of minutes, we become one with the family, sharing in their grief, before the film takes a somewhat unexpected turn and helps the broken Williamses begin to piece things back together.Wavesis not a perfect film, but a study of grief, abuse, and filial relationships makes for a moving, memorable watch.
9The Florida Project — 7.6
The Florida Projectis a story of duality and the value a glimmer of hope can have in a self-serving world. Six-year-old Moonee spends her summer having adventures and getting into trouble, while her mother struggles to make ends meet and keep them off the street. They live at Magic Castle Inn & Suites, managed by Bobby Hicks, portrayed by Willem Defoe in one of the most underrated performances of his career.
As Moonee’s mother fights to stave off homelessness, their motel lives in the massive shadow cast by Disney World, known as “The Florida Project” during its construction. The juxtaposition of a symbol of capitalism looming over a family on the verge of losing everything, and the innocence of youth versus the burdens of adulthood makeThe Florida Projecta poignant, moving watch.
8Ex Machina — 7.7
Ex Machinais arguably one of the greatest science fiction moves ever made. However, it is not like most mainstream films from the same genre, trading massive set-pieces and futuristic action for a cerebral, intellectual rhetoric on the blurred lines between artificial intelligence and true humanity.
The film is consistently engaging and thrilling, with great performances by Domnhall Gleeson andOscar Isaac in particular, who plays the role of an eccentric, potentially dangerous billionaire perfectly. ButEx Machinacan truly be regarded as a breakout showing for Alicia Vikander who is endlessly watchable as Ava, the aforementioned artificial intelligence that sets the events of the film into motion.
7Aftersun — 7.7
It would be easy for most to writeAftersunoff as just another coming-of-age story, but it is much, much more than that. 11-year-old Sophie (Francesca Corio) takes a trip to a Turkish resort with her 30-year-old father Calum (Paul Mescal) just before his birthday. While Sophie has new experiences and meets new people, Calum deals with money troubles and signs of depression that he tries to hide from his daughter.
As an adult-Sophie reminisces about the trip, the film is tinged with a feeling of melancholy as we delve deeper into Calum’s psyche and the struggles that plague him. Francesca Corio and Paul Mescal have fantastic chemistry, bringing their father-daughter relationship to life with a gentle hand that acts as a comforting presence to the pain the grown-up Sophie feels.
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6The Whale — 7.7
The success ofThe Whalecan be traced all the way back to Brendan Fraser’s very first film,Dogfight,which came out back in 1991. Fraser’s first movie led to his first on-set injury as he was paid $50 to do his own stunt. In the years that followed, Fraser broke his body, feeling pressured by the bright lights of Hollywood, causing long-lasting damage to himself by doing his own stunts inThe Mummyfranchise and films likeGeorge of the Jungle.
Combined with a litany of other issues, Fraser spent years dealing with a lot of pain and unresolved trauma. All of that pain, without losing one’s sense of humanity, is what made his performance inThe Whaleone for the ages. Fraser is nothing short of transcendent, a culmination of decades of setbacks and pain failing to extinguish his innate kindness, leading to a performance that can only be defined as a tour de force.
5Amy — 7.8
Amydoes not aim to really dramatizeAmy Winehouse’s lifeor gloss over the messier aspects of her life. Through archival footage and testimonials from people who knew her, viewers get a fully realized look at the artist’s life, artistic process, and the origins and consequences of her addiction.
Amyis deeply affecting as viewers get to see the singer when she was just a child, and are given insight into the woman behind the artist through never-before-seen footage. A deep sense of sadness runs through every frame ofAmybecause viewers know where her journey ends. Regardless,Amyis riveting, crafting a narrative of the destructive, yet symbiotic relationship between artist and celebrity.
4Close — 7.8
Closeis another coming-of-age story, but is a starkly different experience fromAftersun.Focused on the close friendship between two 13-year-old boys named Leo and Remi,Closeis a story of external forces driving a wedge between friends, leading to unfathomable consequences.
It is also a story about the kaleidoscope that is human sexuality, the power of forgiveness, and the loss of childhood innocence. Powerful and devastating in equal measure, this French film pits the idyllic nature of childhood against the sometimes grim uncertainty of growing up.
3Everything Everywhere All at Once — 7.8
Everything Everywhere All at Oncetruly lives up to its name. A multiversal adventure with comedic, sometimes farcical beats, it is also a story about generational trauma, a failing marriage, and the strain on a relationship as a result of being a second-generation immigrant daughter to an overbearing Chinese mother.
No amount of words can truly doEEAAOjustice. The film is an experience that can sometimes feel like an assault on the senses, but phenomenal performances, stunning visuals, and an unpredictable plot more than cover up for any flaws. This film is proof that true ingenuity and creative vision still exist in an industry stacked with remakes and franchises.
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2Past Lives — 8.1
Past Livesis one of the most realistic depictions of love in recent memory. Hae Sung and Na Young grew up together in South Korea and would walk home from school together, with a budding attraction between them. But when Na’s family moved to Canada and then New York, she became Nora, a playwright. Meanwhile, Hae remained in Korea for most of his youth, building a life for himself and remaining in touch with Nora.
Several years passed with both of them flitting in and out of each other’s lives but remaining somewhat connected.Past Livesis about unrealized love, a tale of what could’ve been, often tying back to theKorean concept ofin-yeon, where lovers are people who have met one another repeatedly in past lives. It is a tale of yearning and affection that always simmered beneath the surface, but never really got the opportunity to show itself.Past Livesoffers no easy answers, but the electric chemistry between the leads, and a story that explores the intricacies of the human condition when it comes to love make this a journey worth going on.
1Room — 8.1
The premise ofRoomis extremely dark and could have made for uncomfortable viewing. And while the film does definitely feel that way on occasion, anyone who walks away from the film will feel a sense of hope. Jacob Tremblay and Brie Larson are absolutely fantastic as the captive mother-son duo, with both actors really rising to the occasion and delivering career-defining performances.
This film can be seen as being about the preservation of a child’s innocence in an impossible situation. The scars borne by Jack’s mother, Joy, both mental and physical are a testament to the power of a mother’s love, and how a child can be a beacon of hope without even knowing it.Roomis an intense, harrowing, but ultimately rewarding experience that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.
