My Top 10 Films in 2024
I was inspired by a friend to start documenting the movies I love, and despite my chronic fear of posting anything on the gallows of the internet, it’s turned out to be a fun way to reflect on what I’ve enjoyed over the past year. Although I didn’t get to watch as many films this year as I’d hoped, I tried my best to compile a mix of my favourites films that had a UK release from late 2023 through 2024. As far as ‘best of’ lists go, I don’t hold tightly to them because I’m sure I’ve missed plenty of great movies and how I feel about them may change over time, but these are the ones I managed to watch and feel right to be on this list. Here they are in no particular order.
Fallen Leaves - Aki Kaurismäki
Aki Kaurismäki reimagines the classic meet-cute with Ansa and Holappa, two troubled souls who cross paths at a quirky karaoke night. I enjoyed the dusky pastel and primary colour palette, with nods to classic cinema and Kaurismäki’s signature deadpan humour. The film follows the development of their relationship and self-discovery, while the subtle backdrop of the Ukraine war adds a layer of urgency to their search for human connection.
Look Back - Kiyotaka Oshiyama
As a fan of animation, this list wouldn’t be complete without one. Having loved Oshiyama’s work on Chainsaw Man, I was curious and excited to see what his rumoured passion project would be about. While the plot remains simple, it’s one that many artists will find relatable. The film offers a meta-perspective into the lives of manga artists, illustrating the cost of art and pursuit of excellence. The animation has a raw, sketch-like quality with beautiful use of colours, filling each frame with a burst of visual energy.
All Of Us Strangers - Andrew Haigh
Adam, an isolated screenwriter, reconnects with his late parents who mysteriously appear unchanged in his childhood home. At the same time, he forms a budding romance with his charming neighbour Harry. The ghost-story genre is usually hard to nail because it throws off what we think is logical, but Haigh’s adaptation of this novel is triumphantly moving and emotional that it covers any lacking cinematic elements in the film. Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal’s performances alone makes this film worth a watch.
Anatomy Of A Fall - Justine Triet
‘Did she do it?’ This question looms over Anatomy of a Fall as Sandra finds herself under suspicion for her husband’s murder. Set in a quiet, snowy village in the French Alps, the serene landscape contrasts with the growing tension of the mystery. What truly stuck with me is the complex family drama that unfolds alongside the investigation. The final scene will forever remain as one of my favourite endings of all time.
Bird - Andrea Arnold
I never imagined crying over a group of men serenading a toad with Coldplay’s Yellow, yet here we are. Andrea takes us back to her roots in Kent with a tender, genre-bending coming-of-age film. Bailey, the 12-year-old heroine of the story, cocooned in her sleeping bag, becomes a haunting metaphor for a bird longing for freedom but constrained by the cage-like structures of her family life.
Anora - Sean Baker
Anora explores class disparity and survival through the chaotic relationship between Ani, a young sex worker, and Ivan, the son of a Russian oligarch. Baker’s vibrant visuals and sharp social commentary keep the momentum strong, leading to an unforgettable final scene that makes Anora impossible not to include in this list.
Perfect Days - Wim Wenders
The sun shining through the window, the sound of swaying trees, the nightly companion of a good book, - Perfect Days captures the quiet beauty of everyday life through the eyes of Hirayama, a Tokyo toilet cleaner whose world is slowly revealed through the small interactions with those around him.
The Taste Of Things - Trân Anh Hùng
The Taste of Things is a story about satiation, where two people seek emotional nourishment in the same way their crafted dishes satisfy their physical hunger. Dodin, a master gourmet, and his equally talented cook Eugénie have worked together for twenty years- and possibly been lovers for just as long. The film has little dramatic conflict, instead focusing on the bounty of each season and the quiet moments of connection between them, offering a meditation on the simple pleasures that sustain us.
La Chimera - Alice Rohrwacher
Arthur, a troubled archaeologist, returns to a small Italian town grappling with the death of his lover Beniamina. He becomes involved with a group of tomb raiders as they unearth lost relics, reflecting how far we’re willing to dig into the earth in search of what truly matters to us. The film invites reflection on our elusive dreams, or ‘chimeras’ - the desires that guide us yet always remain just out of reach.
Zone Of Interest - Jonathan Glazer
The Zone of Interest is a chilling portrayal of the Holocaust through the daily lives of Nazi officials near Auschwitz. The horrors remain offscreen but are felt through haunting sounds, like distant screams and machinery. This normalcy, in contrast to the atrocities occurring in the background, forces viewers to confront their own indifference, which remains hauntingly relevant to what’s happening in our world today.
Honourable Mentions
I Saw The TV Glow - Jane Schoenbrun
Flowers Of The Killer Moon - Martin Scorsese
Dune II - Denis Villeneuve
In Camera - Naqqash Khalid
Joy - Ben Taylor
The Wild Robot - Chris Sanders
Civil War - Alex Garland
My First Film - Zia Anger
The Beast - Bertrand Bonello
Dahomey - Mati Diop