It was a year informed by blockbuster sequels to beloved legacy titles; expensive CGI-laden flops that cost studios and self-funded auteurs alike dearly; as well as the odd musicals that — for better or worse — captivated the masses. But would you believe some of the best movies released in 2024 flew under the mainstream radar?
For every Gladiator II, Dune: Part Two, and Wicked, there was a smaller scale answer equal in storytelling value (if not greater). Stripped of all the grand set pieces, recognisable A-listers, and nine-figure marketing budgets, these filmic breaths of fresh air were crafted with an unrivalled passion for cinema.
Check them out below.
The Best Movies You Missed (2024)
Kneecap
Personally, Rich Peppiatt’s Kneecap was my favourite film of 2024 right, next to Dune: Part Two and The Brutalist. Hence why the following “sell” will undoubtedly be the meatiest in this entire article.
A semi-autobiographical story about the titular Irish hip-hop trio, it balances genuine laugh-out-loud hilarity (none of this lazy Deadpool bulls**t) and simulated depravity with a whole lot of charm, sincerity, and heart.
It’s also to be commended for its cast of acting debutantes — the real-life Liam Óg “Mo Chara” Ó Hannaidh, Naoise “Móglaà Bap” Ó Cairealláin, and JJ “DJ PróvaÔ Ó Dochartaigh — all of whom manage to hold their own against veteran thespians Josie Walker, Simone Kirby, and even Michael Fassbender.
Films with a political undertone are often victim to the pitfalls of coming across preachy, contrived, or simply being hamstrung by their own message. But Kneecap acquits itself nicely with a completely organic approach to championing Irish independence and will get you fired up for the cause.
Fingers crossed it nabs the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film this year.
Anora
Director Sean Baker has been steadily making a name for himself with unfiltered tales about the marginalised (The Florida Project, Red Rocket, and Tangerine also being worth your time, FYI).
Baker’s latest, and perhaps most accessible, in Anora has been a festival circuit darling these past few months; taking home the Palme d’Or at Cannes and now primed to contest for some major categories at the forthcoming 97th Academy Awards. And quite deservingly, might we add.
Don’t be deceived by the trailer — this isn’t so much an anxiety-ridden, Uncut Gems-tier affair as it is Uncut Gems meets The Hangover (with shades of Succession). From rising starlet Mikey Madison to affable screen henchmen Yura Borisov, Karren Karagulian, and Vach Tovmasyan, the comedic chops were surprisingly off the charts as they stumbled through their Odyssean quest for a marriage annulment.
The film certainly warrants a lot of discussion about wealth disparity, class consciousness, and modern-day intimacy. But we’ll let you ponder those thoughts in your own time.
The Order
Justin Kurzel is an Aussie director whose talents deserve a far larger audience. With masterful works, such as Snowtown and Macbeth (starring Michael Fassbender) under his belt, his rise to mainstream recognition was unfortunately derailed by the sub-par 2016 adaptation of Assassin’s Creed (also starring Fassbender). Though don’t hold that against him.
Thankfully, the homegrown filmmaker is back on form with The Order. Taut, tightly paced, and intensely gripping, it also helps when your leading players — Jude Law as a stoic lawman, Nicholas Hoult as real-life neo-Nazi terrorist Bob Mathews — consistently delivers. No matter what the gig.
The Order has been adapted from Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt’s non-fiction book The Silent Brotherhood: The Chilling Inside Story of America’s Violent, Anti-Government Militia Movement by seasoned screenwriter Zach Baylin (King Richard, Creed III, Gran Turismo).
The Apprentice
The Apprentice is essentially an antidote to all the Trump fatigue you’re no doubt feeling at this stage; be it from SNL, comedians short on material, or the endless news cycle. And as something of a biopic, it’s both nuanced and bloody entertaining.
In the hands of the ever-capable Jeremy Strong as notorious lawyer Roy Cohen and Sebastian Stan as the future two-time US president — accompanied by the character-rich cinematography of Kasper Tuxen — the mentor-mentee dynamic was a thing of pure pleasure to watch unfold.
Quite the achievement at a time when everyone is over both origin stories and Trump impressions; and when cinematography is becoming concerningly homogenous.
On the subject of impressions, Stan nails the idiosyncrasies without resorting to the voice. Even Shane Gillis himself would be proud.
Didi
Call me overly sentimental, but as a child of immigrants who grew up in the exact same conditions as Didi protagonist Chris Wang (Izaac Wang) — right down to the year I started high school — this coming-of-age tale holds a special place in my heart.
Anyone who enjoyed Jonah Hill’s stunning directorial debut Mid-90s will adore this: a breathtakingly earnest depiction of youth which doesn’t shy away from lingering on those painfully awkward moments that still keep us up late at night.
Fair warning: you may also experience the overwhelming urge to hug your mother afterwards.
Smalls Things Like These
Based on Claire Keegan’s acclaimed novel of the same name, Small Things Like These follows a coal merchant in a small Irish town. When he discovers a disturbing secret regarding the local covenant, he’s forced to reckon with his past, the complicity of his fellow townsfolk, and the pervasive influence of the Catholic Church.
This is arguably where the Academy Award-winning Cillian Murphy is at his finest: in a slow-burn, character-driven historical drama that’s charged with emotion, leaves room for introspection, and textured by raw tension.
The film reunites Murphy with Peaky Blinders director Tim Mielants and Oppenheimer co-star Matt Damon; the latter of whom produced via his and Ben Affleck’s Artists Equity.
Note: Despite the fact it was released in Europe and the US late last year, Small Things Like These won’t hit Aussie theatres until April 10th, 2025. Meaning you technically haven’t “missed” it. Yet.
A Different Man
You can always count on A24 to take a chance on original ideas, and one of the latest to pay off in a big way is the delightfully surreal A Different Man.
Earning Sebastian Stan a Golden Globe for Best Actor (Musical or Comedy), it’s a provocative take on the classic monkey paw trade-off we’ve seen time and time again: sacrificing your true self in exchange for physical beauty — only to be left in an impossible limbo.
And if you find this tickles your fancy, be sure to give The Substance a go as well (if you haven’t already).
Movies we previewed last year worth the ticket price in 2025
- The Brutalist dir. by Brady Corbet
Critically, the hottest film right now that’s the favourite to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Starring Adrien Brody, this Great American Epic a la There Will Be Blood has already nabbed him the Golden Globe for Best Actor (Drama) and taken home Best Motion Picture (Drama). - Conclave dir. by Edward Berger
The other favourite for Best Picture that also puts Ralph Fiennes in Oscar contention against Adrien Brody. An intriguing political thriller about electing the next pope and all the secrets and scandals each candidate hides under those holy robes. - Parthenope dir. by Paolo Sorrentino
As divisive as the reception has been, it’s an objectively gorgeous film from Paolo Sorrentino — the same visionary director behind Hand of God, The Young Pope/The New Pope, and The Great Beauty. - Better Man dir. by Michael Gracey
A daring reinvention of the tired music biopic genre featuring a CGI monkey as Robbie Williams. Full pelt. No holds barred.
