From the 'Dune' sequel to the triumph of Yura Borisov – here are the 10 best films of 2024 in our opinion.
2024 in cinema is a triumph of sequels and all kinds of continuations of famous franchises. But besides that, we witnessed the triumph of Russian actors abroad, eagerly awaited the new work of master Clint Eastwood (who did not disappoint), marveled at the double feature of Yorgos Lanthimos, and once again found ourselves on Arrakis.
The 'After Credits' team watched over 100 films released in theaters or online this year, and through a general vote selected the 10 best films of 2024. The first place was a surprise even for us!
10th Place — 'The Fall Guy'
'The Fall Guy' is a wonderful film about the behind-the-scenes of cinema! It may not reach for the stars, but there is enough spirited execution and love for cinema in all its forms in the work. To the song Kiss I Was Made for Loving You (the leitmotif of the entire film), the voiceover prepares the viewer for the next two hours filled with love and drive.
Ryan Gosling has a blast, appearing on screen as an overgrown blond with an unkempt beard, then reflecting in the car to Taylor Swift, then enduring multi-take torments from his offended lover (a very peculiar way of having a heart-to-heart), then getting into ridiculous and dangerous situations. In short, Gosling is again in the role of a man dragged into strange circumstances because of a woman…
Seasoned with references to 'Dune', 'Mad Max', and even 'Dumbo', with split screens and rock hits, this film is a movie about movies, a playful-dramatic conversation about how love is stronger than fear.
9th Place — 'Inside Out 2'
plot-wise repeats the first, both based on the fear of being alone. And for the first half hour you sit, expecting something interesting, because new emotions have appeared, something should pop. The next half hour you nod obediently, because anxiety is totally your thing, and you feel like you're constantly in that state. Then you watch with half an eye and think whether it's worth fast-forwarding. And then in the last minutes of the film, Riley has a panic attack, and the 'wow, that was possible?!' effect kicks in.
One of the most anticipated animated films of the year, 'Inside Out 2' from the legendary Pixar studio, has been released worldwide. How interesting is it to follow Riley's expanded range of emotions and
Open materialThis episode and how the characters dealt with the circumstances forced me to reconsider my opinion of the film. I remembered that Pixar's works are still more for adults and about adults. And also that it's not shameful to deal with your demons at any age.
8th Place — 'Juror #2'
Nicholas Hoult plays a simple guy whose wife is about to give birth to a long-awaited child, and he is inconveniently called to be a juror in a case about a girl killed on the highway. Obviously, her then-boyfriend, a repeat offender, killed her, and the prosecutor involved in the case is already preparing for a promotion for his conviction. Things get complicated when Hoult's character realizes during the trial that he accidentally killed the girl, and tries to simultaneously acquit the innocent and not expose himself. To do the right thing, but not pay the price.
The key is not the plot, but the moral issues that concern the director. In other words, it's not who killed, but who is ready to take responsibility. The film quickly moves away from associations with the classic courtroom drama '12 Angry Men' — Clint Eastwood is concerned with the flaws of the justice system, but the nerve of the film lies in the impossibility of consistently adhering to one set of rules. To be both a good guy and a good citizen. A good prosecutor and a good politician. A worthy person and a proper husband.
The new film by legendary Clint Eastwood, 'Juror #2', has become available digitally. Even at his advanced age, the master of world cinema managed to make a film that can compete with the works of younger and bolder directors. We tell you why this thriller about the imperfection of justice is definitely worth attention.
Open materialThe problem of the gap between social roles has troubled Eastwood all his life. At the twilight of his era (which will finally leave with him), the theme of the impossibility of adhering to one, only correct set of rules troubles Eastwood no less. He cannot dismiss it, cannot turn away, but does not understand how to solve it. For him, the tragedy of the world is that living right and living well are different things. And at ninety-four, Eastwood sees and shows this as clearly as ever.
7th Place — 'Poor Things'
remained in our hearts and on the pages of the Venice Film Festival catalog not only due to Emma Stone's eccentric performance and Willem Dafoe's charisma, but also thanks to the inimitable, witty satire embedded in a steampunk defamiliarization technique.
On February 27, one of the main favorites of the Oscar race, 'Poor Things' by Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos, reached digital screens. Almost everyone who has seen it is raving about the film, but how justified is that? We tell you in our review.
Open materialThe film's aesthetic combines the futuristic-surrealist painting of Jarosław Jaśnikowski and the postmodern black sarcasm of Anthony Burgess's novels. The detailed stylization and signature intensity of absurdity from Yorgos Lanthimos have reached incredible scales, and dreams with strange textures will haunt you after watching even in 2025.
6th Place — 'Godzilla Minus One'
The premiere of the new film about the Japanese mutant monster, timed to coincide with the franchise's seventieth anniversary, went almost unnoticed in the Russian information space. However, after winning the Oscar for Best Visual Effects, 'Godzilla Minus One' began to be perceived not just as another film in the Godzilla franchise, but as a standalone film capable of attracting new viewers.
A former kamikaze pilot returns after World War II to his destroyed city, where he has no family, home, or friends left. Rebuilding his life, he faces other consequences of the war in the form of guilt, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a giant radioactive lizard that can destroy everything again.
The main achievement of the new film is the successful combination of teeth-grinding action and high-quality effects on a modest budget by Hollywood standards, along with a dramatic story that, unfortunately, is frightening in its relevance.
5th Place — 'Civil War'
As they say, 'we are here,' at a point where some thinking people are so tired and angry that this became possible.
In theaters, you can still see the decline of Western civilization through the eyes of one of the most fashionable independent directors of our time, Alex Garland. About why 'Civil War' is an interesting
Open materialOddly enough, this is the most 'audience-friendly' and understandable creation of Alex Garland, but it certainly won't make anyone feel better. As is known, the film Garland asked the entire crew to watch is 'Come and See' by Elem Klimov, so the information about what awaits the viewer is exhaustive.
It is very beautiful, it is very scary, it is — worst of all — already very familiar and painful. Wagner Moura is simply amazing, and once again it's a pity that he still has so few roles worthy of his talent, Kirsten Dunst is good as always, Cailee Spaeny is a wonder, and Stephen Henderson is touching and great.
It seems we are all hopelessly poisoned, but I want to believe that there is at least a small chance to remain honest, kind, and loving — without conditions.
4th Place — 'Anora'
sometimes resembles an energy vampire that will drain all your strength to the last drop. But this is more of a pleasant feeling than the opposite. And you just can't stay away from the film. Because Sean Baker is a wonderful hypnotist, who, however, has problems with a sense of proportion.
On October 17, 'Anora', the triumphant winner of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, reached big screens. Is the film worthy of the Palme d'Or, for whom does Sean Baker make films, and what kind of
Open materialAll this Brooklyn whirlwind with an international ensemble of actors (Yura Borisov is our everything at the upcoming Golden Globes) in its crazy energy resembles the films of the Safdie brothers, and in its on-screen embodiment, the films of Georgiy Daneliya, where everything is quite sad, but there is room for uproarious laughter and some constant everyday bustle.
In this capacity, the long-unmentioned genre of 'tragicomedy' suits the film perfectly. A very noisy, talkative, loud, spark-emitting, and sobbing film. A real emotional rollercoaster. The viewer, it seems, will experience the entire spectrum: from fun and irritation to absolute happiness that it's all finally over.
And this is not 'Cinderella', not 'Pretty Woman', and not even 'Maid in Manhattan'. No romantic fantasies about a beautiful prince. Only cold calculation and the firm grip of a provincial girl who has found a gold mine. In short, for money — yes. For money — yes.
3rd Place — 'The Wild Robot'
'The Wild Robot' became a true revelation in animation, combining visual mastery with a deep emotional story. DreamWorks Animation once again raised the quality bar, creating a film that looks like a living painting. Complex yet organic animation, detailed characters, and nature scenes make 'The Wild Robot' one of the most impressive visual events of the year.
And its strength also lies in the touching story of finding oneself, accepting responsibility, and family bonds. Themes of love, parenthood, belonging, and harmony between technology and the natural world are explored. Philosophical reflections blend well with dynamics and accessibility. The finishing touch was the soundtrack and sound design.
Good, kind humor, sincere emotions, life lessons – all suitable for viewers of different ages. And such animated films can be counted on one hand. A thoughtful, emotionally rich work that leaves the cinema in tears. Such things stay in memory for a long time.
2nd Place — 'Dune: Part Two'
The main sequel in a year consisting almost entirely of sequels, prequels, spin-offs, and remakes. Denis Villeneuve's monumental and epic art-blockbuster is a vivid proof that even a complex novel like Frank Herbert's 'Dune' can be turned into a successful media franchise (announced trilogy and a prequel series renewed for a second season). But credit must be given to the director, because despite all the script sacrifices the book suffered, the dilogy (in particular) turned out great.
'Dune: Part Two' is a bright and controversial film. About how it was seen by members of our team – in this material.
Open materialWithout the love Villeneuve has for the source material and the loyalty from Warner Bros. bosses that not everyone receives, it would hardly have been possible to extract good profit from such a risky adaptation. It's gratifying that today's 'Dune' managed to conquer audiences and critics, finding a balance between entertainment and auteur cinema. Probably, it's not entirely correct to complain about inconsistencies with the book, because we are unlikely to get a more perfect adaptation in the next few decades (if ever). Moreover, the visual canvas is simply a masterpiece, and you simply don't want to take your eyes off it.
Ironically, in 2021, the first part of 'Dune' also took second place in our final top (though then the winner was a less dubious project, but such is the fate of ranked ratings — to differ from our internal positions).
1st Place — 'The Substance'
So smile!
We were as surprised as you when we learned the results of our internal vote. But, to be fair, it's unlikely anyone will argue that the provocative body horror is one of the main cinematic events of 2024. Personally, I am even ready to classify it as a cultural phenomenon.
Awarded the Best Screenplay prize at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, 'The Substance' was released in Russian theaters on September 19. In our material, we discuss the nature of fear in this film
Open materialInventive, driven, full of memorable (even too much) visual images, Coralie Fargeat's film met with a stormy reaction online. Some viewers were delighted, others horrified, and still others were gifted with psychological trauma for the rest of their lives. It's a rare occurrence when a festival horror film directed by a little-known director gains such fame.
The director's boldness, of course, is the first thing that wins you over. On one hand, she criticizes the male gaze and the entertainment industry, but at the same time, there is even more explicit eroticism in the film than body horror. However, there is plenty of that too: the bacchanalia in the finale alone is something! And in general, to bring this whole trash-attraction to Cannes, you need extraordinary courage, even though a couple of years ago 'Titane' had already paved the way.
On top of that, the sheer number of references and homages can give a cinephile a high! And judging by the fact that 'The Substance' topped our ranking, we still haven't let go…
Which films do you think were the best in 2024?
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