Review Tales

We are midway into the year 2024 and we got new releases from acclaimed directors like Luca Guadagnino, Alex Garland, Richard Linklater, George Miller, and many more. While this year didn’t start with a bang like the previous year where Barbenheimer phenomenon took the world by storm, we have gotten a fair share of movies that have the potential to stand the test of time. So, in this article, let us have a look at the Best Movies of 2024 so far that have won the hearts of people worldwide.

And oh also, we are neither commerica-nados nor arthouse hipsters, so you will get an eclectic list here containing the best of both worlds. Also, I am not ranking these films for now, these are put in the list in random order. I may or may not make a ranked list for the best of the year at the end of the year. But for now, enjoy the best movies of 2024 so far.

Love Lies Bleeding

Rose Glass’ second feature film with A24 is my favorite of the year, so far. Viscerally and emotionally brutal, almost reminiscent of my favorite movie of 2021 Titane. The fantastical episodes of the movie will either sour or enhance it for you. Personally, I thought all of them were very profoundly effective. The best thing about Love Lies Bleeding is that it never drags or draws attention to its prominent 80s setting. So, in a way, Rose Glass is above empty homage. I have no hesitation in naming it one of the highlights of 2024 already.

But, wait SEO gods say I have to include some objectivity in my statement too, because it is for my dear readers and not myself. So, I would say Love Lies Bleeding is a combination of visceral elements and profound emotions that makes it a complete rollercoaster ride. If 2024 were to end right now, I would call it the wildest and most inventive movie of the year.

Challengers

Luca Guadagnino is known to have a distinctive and somewhat peculiar style. I will admit, that he doesn’t necessarily make movies keeping me in mind. That said, I cannot help but marvel at the way he makes movies and Challengers is no different. It might be a little messy with its fractured storytelling of awkward time jumps and an abundance of slomo shots, when it gets it right, it totally gets it right.

Brimming with sensuous energy from start to finish, Challengers remains a rousing drama throughout the runtime. Its unconventional storytelling with great integration of music makes it a compelling watch throughout. Now, the movie didn’t fully work for me, but it did for others, so who am I to stop you from watching what’s possibly one of the most loved movies of 2024 so far?

Maharaja

The Kollywood director Nithilan Saminathan’s second feature Maharaja is nothing short of a groundbreaking piece of the industry. Nithilan employs the non-linear narrative structure and makes use of it to the fullest. The film lets you buy into an absurdist concept in the beginning only to completely subvert your expectations by the time you reach the end credits. At the center of Maharaja is the fierce yet restrained Vijay Sethupathi who is able to express different emotions with stupendous acting prowess.

He is a stoic man of few words most of the runtime immediately giving your Robert De Niro energy. But when he unleashes his rage it is totally a joy to see. He gives one of his career-best performances and makes the movie an absolute treat to watch. While the ending twist of Maharaja is somewhat predictable, it is laced with ample elements that will offer you with a unique cinematic experience.

Laapata Ladies

Just like, Nithilan Saminathan, Kiran Rao comes back with her second feature in 2024—Laapata Ladies—a feminist gem that deftly sidesteps male bashing or heavy-handed preaching. Rather, it artistically wades through the labyrinthine complexities of womanhood conditioned in a patriarchal society with a vivacious blend of humor and warmth, like kalakand’s rich sweetness.

The subtlety in Laapata Ladies forms its difference. The film says volumes even when there is little or no dialogue. It evokes deep emotions and gives out ideas through unspoken messages. In fact, it is that kind of visual storytelling that is woven into the film. Phool and Jaya’s stories are those of self-discovery, and where the narrative could easily have fallen into familiar grooves of clichés, it takes a bold, introspective turn. The result is a deeply resonant odyssey of womanhood—one which, despite being conceived and presented as primarily a female experience, has something for everyone, even men, to relate to and reflect on.

Another strong point in the film is its soundtrack, which flowed well with the plot to enhance the viewing experience. The music is, just like the film, part of the journey that makes the experience an emotional and full one.

So, to all the skeptics of Indian cinema, Laapata Ladies is a must-watch. With its universality and masterful execution, it deserves your attention and appreciation. Give this one a chance, and you might be charmed out of your socks by the exceptional storytelling and relatability that this movie holds.

Premalu

In 2024, Malayalam cinema was totally winning with gems with Manjummel Boys and Premalu. Premalu is another film that could have easily been a cliche romantic comedy, but it never takes itself seriously to make you roll your eyes. The film is filled with humorous moments that are both relatable and slapstick. Sachin, Amal Davis, Aadhi, and Reenu are all adorable characters who decorate the narrative with an unprecedented madness that permeates the movie throughout the runtime. So, if you want to have a good time lying back with your snacks, Premalu is the perfect movie for you.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

George Miller comes back with yet another movie of the Mad Max universe- “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”. Miller’s “Madmax: Fury Road” is one of my favorite action movies of all time, so I was quite sure that Furiosa would not be able to beat it. Regardless, I was excited for it. So, did Furiosa live up to my expectations? Well no, but I still had a great time with it- a mechanical adrenaline rush of revenge coursing through the gears of change as Millers reverses backward to explore his world, his characters, their motivations, and the backstory of an iconic character.

Furiosa left me a little underwhelmed (not as much as another desert blockbuster of the year, but that’s a different argument). I chalk it up to the pacing and CGI being overly noticeable in some instances. That said, Miller has still crafted an impeccable revenge tale with great performances, amazing world-building, score, and action set pieces. So while Furiosa didn’t live up to my massive expectations, I can’t help but marvel at Miller’s craft in it. For this reason, it deserves to be among the best movies of 2024 so far.

Hit Man

Richard Linklater makes a triumphant return in 2024- a refreshed take on the rom-com genre without the usual clichés. The vibrant entry, both unusual and inventive, is driven by an excellent performance from lead Glen Powell. He elevates the movie to another level because of his delivering this character with charm and wit, carrying it stylishly, being magnetic and nuanced, impossible to look away from. It’s through his charming wit that Powell brings the goods in terms of carrying the film and is magnetic, nuanced, impossible to look away from.

Linklater’s stamp is all over the movie, in the form of his sharp, cerebral dialogue, at once effortless and scintillating. The way the conversations glide—in great humor and insight—reminds us once again that Linklater really is a master of the genre. The soundtrack, with its groovy tracks that perfectly complement the mood, further enhances the viewing experience and enriches the film.

One of the standout features in Hit Man is the humor—arguably some of Linklater’s best comedy work. The jokes are impeccably timed, and there’s a good balance between the just plain laughable and more subtle, clever humor that makes it not only accessible to broad audiences but one of Linklater’s funniest films to date.

Added to the appeal of the film is the electric chemistry between Glen Powell and Adria Arjona. Together, they are playful, very engaging, and full of sparks, which no doubt adds to the fun in the movie. The way this couple flows around each other on film is so natural that it draws the audience right into the picture, and that relationship becomes one of the most compelling aspects of the film.

Then there’s the awesome rewatch value of Hit Man: every time you view it, there’s something new to appreciate. With its smart writing, great performances, and a really new take on the rom-com genre, this is a movie that’s going to be replayed a good number of times. All in all, it’s a most delightfully glowing feel-good movie in the illustrious filmography from Linklater and arguably one of his finest works.

So, yes, this is all from my side in this list. I know I missed a lot of great films in this list, but for that I will hopefully be making a separate list at the end of the movie. All of the aforementioned might not be the best movies of 2024 for you, but I tried to give the list an eclectic flavour and kept objectivity in mind (at most places, otherwise I am blatantly biased). This has been a mixed year for me, so far, maybe we ought to wait until the year is getting to a close? Maybe the good stuff is right around the corner. This is just my way of ending this piece on an optimistic note. I don’t know what else to say.