In 2024, there was truly something for everyone to enjoy as we escaped reality in a darkened room for a couple of hours and were constantly reminded that the magic of the big screen – despite what some people might tell you – will never be diminished. From the Irish romp charting the rise of band Kneecap to the return of Demi Moore in a wild horror about ageing and image in Hollywood, Rolling Stone UK presents the finest flicks of the year…
All of Us Strangers, Dir: Andrew Haigh
If you’ve watched All of Us Strangers twice, you’ll know it can be even more heartbreaking the second time around. Either way, it’s a tear-jerker of the highest order, eliciting complex layers of emotion from audiences. Andrew Haigh’s intoxicating film features powerhouse turns from Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal as a lonely pair who connect in the apartment block they live in. Claire Foy and Jamie Bell bring more heart and gentle humour as the long-departed parents who haunt screenwriter Adam (Scott) as he writes his next work. An exceptional film with judicious use of the music of Pet Shop Boys and Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
American Fiction, Dir: Cord Jefferson
Jeffrey Wright is tremendous in this wickedly funny film based on the book Erasure by Percival Everett. Wright is Monk, a published author and professor who decides to boost his sales by pandering to a different market. Frustrated by the success of authors who tell stories perceived as ‘Black’, he pens a satirical novel full of gang violence. Guess what? It’s a huge hit. Sharp and funny, this has a lot going on and will spark discussion — and it also features a terrific support cast including Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae and Sterling K. Brown. Oscar-nominated in five categories including Best Picture, it won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Anora, Dir: Sean Baker
This year’s Cannes Palme d’Or winner grabs you and won’t let go, taking you on a wild journey that is exhilarating, funny and increasingly nail-biting. Mikey Madison is terrific as the smart stripper who catches the eye of a wealthy young Russian client. What begins as a sweet deal ends up sour when his parents get wind of their relationship. Power, privilege and gender all come into play in a compelling crime story — Pretty Woman this is not. Watch out for a top turn from Russian actor Yura Borisov.
A Quiet Place: Day One, Dir: Michael Sarnoski
A big-screen thriller with heart and humanity, this spin-off of the A Quiet Place series is a gripping watch. Lupita Nyong’o stars as a woman who is in New York on the day that giant aliens come to earth. People soon realise that keeping quiet is the only way to survive, but that is easier said than done when folks are evacuating in a panic. Joseph Quinn is excellent as a scared law student, but the best supporting role is surely that of the cat, Frodo.
Black Box Diaries, Dir: Shiori Itō
This documentary is raw, disturbing and incredibly inspiring. It follows the true-life story of director and journalist Shiori Itō, who decided to investigate her own sexual assault after the Japanese authorities let her down. Recording in secret and confronting her fears, Shiori is compelling to watch. Her mission became a landmark case in Japan and questioned the country’s judicial systems as well as society. Obviously, this film comes with trigger warnings, but it’s a gripping take on a timely topic and is already garnering awards.
Blink Twice, Dir: Zoë Kravitz
A film that got audiences talking and debating, Blink Twice is a very impressive directorial debut from Zoë Kravitz. A bold, entertaining social thriller in the vein of Jordan Peele, it stars Naomi Ackie and Alia Shawkat as waitresses who are whisked off to the private island of a tech billionaire (Channing Tatum). What starts as a wild ride becomes dark, disturbing and thought-provoking.
Blur: To the End, Dir: Toby L
Closely following the band in an eventful 2023, this documentary is a must-see for fans of Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree. Watch as they record their emotional new album; laugh as they muck about backstage; enjoy a bird’s-eye view of their performance at Wembley Stadium (which was also released as a full film later in the year). There are poignant flashbacks to the early days, and insights into the relationships between the band members — not always harmonious, as they admit. It’s a rewarding watch that reflects on ageing, loneliness, stardom and, perhaps most importantly, creativity.
Conclave, Dir: Edward Berger
A gripping thriller set in the halls of the Vatican, this is riveting cinema starring an excellent Ralph Fiennes. He’s Cardinal Lawrence, tasked with running the conclave that decides on a new pope. Frontrunners include Cardinals Bellini (Stanley Tucci) of the Vatican, Tremblay of Montreal (John Lithgow), Tedesco of Venice (Sergio Castellitto) and Adeyemi of Nigeria (Lucian Msamati). But there are secrets and scandals afoot, as Lawrence gradually discovers. A slick, entertaining story from the director of All Quiet on the Western Front and the writer of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
Copa 71, Dir: James Erskine and Rachel Ramsay
Another eye-opening documentary, this lifted the lid on the Women’s World Cup football tournament in Mexico in 1971. Yes, 1971. Thousands of fans came to watch teams from England, Argentina, Mexico, France, Denmark and Italy compete in a riveting competition — but the results were all but wiped from history. Why? Filmmakers Rachel Ramsay and James Erskine dig deep into archives and memories to paint a fascinating picture of a forgotten game, bringing up issues about gender and football that remain relevant to this day. The contributions from the women themselves make this entertaining and heartwarming as well as revelatory.
The Disappearance of Shere Hite, Dir: Nicole Newnham
Shere Hite was a groundbreaking sexologist who was talking about female orgasms when no one else was. The Hite Report sold millions of copies after it came out in 1976 and was much discussed and debated in the media. Nicole Newnham’s riveting documentary traces Shere Hite’s life as a model, showing her transition to being an activist as well as the patriarchal fury that accompanied her findings. Dakota Johnson’s voiceover brings Hite’s writing to life and gives a vivid sense of a woman who was ahead of her time, and ultimately sent packing. Well worth seeking out.
Emilia Pérez, Dir: Jacques Audiard
A musical thriller about a transitioning drug lord, Emilia Pérez is an extraordinary adventure that may leave you open-mouthed. Zoe Saldana plays Rita, a Mexican lawyer who’s hired by cartel leader Manitas (Karla Sofía Gascón) to help him become a woman. His wife (Selena Gomez) and kids know nothing about it. Manitas becomes Emilia, who crosses paths with Rita again… That’s not even the half of it when it comes to this unique Cannes prize-winner with shades of Pedro Almodóvar.
The Fall Guy, Dir: David Leitch
Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt are a great match in this action comedy with more smarts than your average blockbuster. Inspired by the 80s series The Fall Guy, which starred Lee Majors, it sees Gosling playing Colt Seavers, a Hollywood stuntman who’s injured on set and loses touch with girlfriend Jody (Blunt). When Jody becomes a director, Colt is hired to work on her film — as well as, secretly, going on a spy mission. Stephanie Hsu and Hannah Waddingham co-star in a busy, laugh-out-loud film that gives a glossy insight into the magic of the movies.
The Girl with the Needle, Dir: Magnus von Horn
Much praised on this year’s festival circuit, this is remarkable cinema: suspenseful, shocking and thought-provoking. Karoline (Vic Carmen Sonne) is a young factory worker living in Copenhagen just after the First World War. Pregnant and abandoned, she crosses paths with Dagmar (Trine Dyrholm), who’s running an illegal adoption agency. The story takes a darker turn as the pair become close. If you’re familiar with Danish history, you’ll know the rest, but either way, this is one of the most impressive films of the year. Catch it on its general cinema release in early 2025.
The Holdovers, Dir: Alexander Payne
If you haven’t caught The Holdovers yet, save it for Christmas — although it was released in January 2024 here in the UK, it’s a festive treat. Paul Giamatti is on fine grumpy form as the teacher who reluctantly babysits a small group of boarding-school boys over the festive season, while an Oscar-winning Da’Vine Joy Randolph rolls her eyes as the catering head who has to put up with him. The soundtrack features everything from Cat Stevens to The Temptations.
In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon, Dir: Alex Gibney
A fascinating delve into the life and work of Paul Simon, this sees award-winning documentarian Alex Gibney following Simon as he records the album Seven Psalms, while flashing back to key moments from his past. He describes his work with Art Garfunkel, from being inspired by the harmonies of the Everly Brothers to their difficult relationship with fame and each other. There’s previously unseen footage from the recordings of Bridge Over Troubled Water and Graceland, and plentiful insights into his creative process and personality. Like his music, it’s a compelling mix of warmth, sadness, hope and creativity.
Janet Planet, Dir: Annie Baker
A sharp, funny, character-driven slice of nostalgia, this follows an 11-year-old girl, Lacy (newcomer Zoe Ziegler) and her mother Janet (Julianne Nicholson) in their life in the 90s. Combined with a quirky personality, living in rural Massachusetts means that Lacy doesn’t have many friends apart from her mother. Their closeness is palpable, as are Lacy’s reactions to various new people coming in and out of their lives. Sophie Okonedo and Will Patton are among the excellent support cast. If you’re in the market for an offbeat, slow-burning charmer, then Annie Baker’s film is for you.
Kneecap, Dir: Rich Peppiatt
Band members playing themselves in a drama based on their own rise to fame… it can be tricky territory, but Kneecap totally nails it. The eponymous rabble-rousers have a blast in an energetic romp that communicates their fierce love of the Irish language, and features plenty of drug-fuelled, laugh-out-loud moments. Michael Fassbender co-stars alongside Liam Óg “Mo Chara” Ó Hannaidh, Naoise “Móglaí Bap” Ó Cairealláin and JJ “DJ Próvaí” Ó Dochartaigh.
La Chimera, Dir: Alice Rohrwacher
A mysterious blend of arthouse drama, adventure and mystical fantasy, La Chimera is a one-off. Josh O’Connor stars as Arthur, a Brit in 1980s Italy, who spends time with Isabella Rossellini’s retired opera singer, as well as a bunch of local art thieves. These tomb raiders ransack ancient burial sites to sell on the artefacts they find — and Arthur has an uncanny knack of finding the graves. It’s a fascinating, dreamlike film with funny moments and a star turn from O’Connor as well as Carol Duarte, the maid who takes an interest in this mysterious stranger.
Lee, Dir: Ellen Kuras
Kate Winslet is in her element in this inspiring portrait of straight-talking, free-spirited war photographer Lee Miller. The former Vogue model became an incredible photojournalist, reporting from the front line during the Second World War. Josh O’Connor, Andrea Riseborough and Alexander Skarsgård co-star in a film that shifts from liberal art scene movie to sobering war drama.
Love Lies Bleeding, Dir: Rose Glass
Kristen Stewart is pitch perfect in this pulpy, queer romance from the director of Saint Maud. Working in a gym in 1980s New Mexico, her character Lou meets body builder Jackie (Katy M O’Brian). Obstacles in the path of their relationship include Lou’s criminal father (Ed Harris, sporting a shocking skullet), her nasty brother-in-law (Dave Franco), and Jackie’s burgeoning steroid habit. It’s gripping, darkly funny and visually bold.
The Nature of Love, Dir: Monia Chokri
This hidden gem is sexy, funny and smart. Philosophy professor Sophia (Magalie Lépine Blondeau) meets builder Sylvain (Pierre-Yves Cardinal), and sparks fly. The pair begin an affair, but Sophia begins to wonder if the cultural gap between them is too wide. It’s an intelligent, laugh-out-loud comedy with something to say about relationships, attraction and class differences. French-Canadian director Monia Chokri has delivered a grown-up romcom that breezes past the cultural divide between her Quebec setting and the rest of the world. After all, we’ve all fallen for the ‘wrong’ person at one time in life, right?
Poor Things, Dir: Yorgos Lanthimos
It seems like a while ago now that Emma Stone took to the stage to accept her Best Actress Oscar, but Poor Things remains one of the most intriguing and audacious films of the year. Stone is luminous — and frequently hilarious — as the woman with a baby’s brain, whose intelligence gradually overtakes the men around her. It’s also a wonder to look at, from the production design to the costumes.
The Substance, Dir: Coralie Fargeat
Demi Moore makes a startling return to the screen with this entertaining feminist body horror. She’s Elisabeth Sparkle, an actress who’s written off when she turns 50, only to get a tempting offer of an invasive new drug. One week she’s Elisabeth, the next she’s Sue (Margaret Qualley): half her age and just the kind of ingénue the ageist industry loves to celebrate. Fargeat’s film is dark, funny, angry, stylish and a real opinion sparker: no two people seem to have exactly the same take on The Substance.
The Zone of Interest, Dir: Jonathan Glazer
The chilling Oscar-winner became an instant classic, deeply disturbing and technically impressive. Inspired by Martin Amis’ novel, it’s a portrait of Nazi officer Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel) and his wife Hedwig Höss (Sandra Hüller). The camera follows their routine as they live their daily lives, rarely alluding to the horrors that we can hear taking place next door in Auschwitz.