As the UK patiently waits for the next strand of A24 releases, I’ve taken this time to reflect upon my favourite films from their collection. Because of the several four and a half star ratings on my Letterboxd, it can be really difficult to compare them without saying “yeah, they’re all just really good innit”. In fact, compiling a top five was near-impossible without creating two separate lists: ones I’ve reviewed already and ones to explore more in-depth.
Previous Reviews Top Five
With long-form analysis already accessible on my website, I’ll keep this section brief:
- Midsommar – Netflix
- Aftersun – MUBI
- Minari – Now Cinema
- Swiss Army Man – ITV
- The Green Knight – Amazon Prime
Realistically, there wasn’t much chance of Midsommar losing its stronghold at the pole position. Two cinema visits plus a director’s cut viewing and I’m still talking about it – no apology given. Surprisingly, Swiss Army Man made the fourth spot, despite only watching The Daniels’ first feature last month. Their off-kilter humour accompanied by a catchy soundtrack scratches a niche itch, plugging an EEAAO hole in my next list. Finally, Minari and Aftersun prove great family dramas never falter, whereas The Green Knight is the exception in Arthurian legend.
New Reviews Top Five
Number Five: Ex Machina (Amazon Prime)
Scriptwriter Alex Garland turned to directing with the unsettling science-fiction film Ex Machina. The terrific triangle of Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac and Alicia Vikander debating A.I. ethics gains relevance each passing day. Shot at the isolated Norwegian Juvet Landscape Hotel, I felt the walls closing in as Isaac’s megalomaniac character Nathan intensifies. Vikander and I agree that her role as robot Ava becoming ‘more human’ is our favourite of hers so far. Stuck in the middle is Gleeson’s programmer Caleb, who’s fantastic at slow-burn breakdowns around eccentric geniuses – see Frank (2014) also. A tense picture of a near-distant future; please don’t take my job ChatGPT.
Number Four: The Lobster (Youtube)
Moving from The Daniels to Yorgos Lanthimos, stories don’t get much weirder than The Lobster. Colin Farrell’s David has to find a romantic partner in forty-five days or he will be transformed into a lobster. Heading up a stellar ensemble cast of character actors, their chemistry is still felt through deadpan performances and hilariously stilted dialogue. Lanthimos uniquely illustrates the absurdity of forcing a relationship for status purposes only alongside exploring the reverse. Imagine Hinge set in a hotel, and you’re only able to communicate in prompts.
Number Three: Hereditary (Youtube)
Having waxed lyrical about Midsommar already, the only surprise might be that Hereditary isn’t higher than bronze. Ari Aster’s feature debut is billed as a family drama about suffering, making it more grounded than the Swedish celebration. However, that doesn’t detract from the creepy scenes or strange occurrences happening in the background. Arguably, its Utah setting amplifies these impactful moments which stayed with me throughout and long after. Grief is a very powerful theme in Aster’s projects, so I cannot wait to see him tackle anxiety with Beau is Afraid.
Number Two: Moonlight (BBC iPlayer)
Deservedly winning Best Picture over La La Land at the 2016 Oscars has somehow overshadowed how great Moonlight is. In his first feature, Barry Jenkins encapsulates the formative moments of a Black man in America. I find its use of the three act structure incorporating stages of childhood, adolescence and adulthood as elegantly effective. Furthermore, there’s all-round amazing performances, including from Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali, which engages you across Chiron’s life. Even the cinematography sticks in my mind as the camera spins, showing how disorienting relationships and your identity is to navigate.
Number One: Uncut Gems (Netflix)
In the immortal words of Julia Fox: “Uncaht JAAAHMS”. Whether I’m masochistically triggering my anxiety or that it’s a great representation of it on-screen, I love Uncut Gems. I’ve seen it five times and gained further insight into the intricate layers of storytelling on each viewing. Moreover, there’s so much world-building of the New York diamond district that our characters feel extremely believable. The Safdie Brothers use their signature close and personal style to maintain intensity – Good Time easily could’ve made this list. Overlapping arguments using realistic dialogue creates palpable tension that crescendos in each set piece and as a whole narrative.
I had only come across Adam Sandler films when I was a snarky teenager slowly growing into a cynical critic. Therefore, I despised them. This movie forgives those cinema sins with a performance that embodies gambling addiction, continually chasing clout and dopamine hits. Adding an underlying theme of toxic masculinity, a comedic tone and incorporating real-world scenarios means Uncut Gems is wholly original. Not only my favourite A24 film but one of my all-time favourites, period.
