The prestige production company and movie distributor A24 is about to celebrate its 12th anniversary. During its twelve years the New York City based company has quickly evolved into one of the most acclaimed names in cinema. In the process they have cultivated an indie style all their own which has developed quite the cult following. They have opened the doors to so many different voices and have given creators an avenue to tell stories that would otherwise have a hard time finding an audience.
For that reason I’m celebrating A24 by listing my ten favorite films from their lengthy catalog. There are so many gems to choose from, and you might be surprised by what’s included and what’s left off. Hit the comments and let me know what you think…
#10 – “White Noise” (2022)
Ok, let me go ahead and get this one out of the way. In what is sure to be a bewildering choice to some, I stand by “White Noise” and its spot on this list. It took a couple of viewings for me to fully get in rhythm with what Noah Baumbach was doing. But once I did, I was hooked. I love the performances from Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig, and it features an end-credits dance number for the ages. I love it. [MY REVIEW]
#9 – “After Yang” (2021)
I adored Kogonada’s feature film debut, “Columbus”. He hit his mark again with “After Yang”, an artful and quietly stirring reflection on humanity, family, and self-discovery. It’s very meditative in nature, using the camera and much as its script to immerse us in its heartfelt story. Elegantly directed, brilliantly acted, and visually arresting – “After Yang” is a beautiful film. [MY REVIEW]
#8 – “Minari” (2020)
Few movies have cut me to the heart quite like Lee Isaac Chung’s deeply personal family drama “Minari”. Subdued in all the right ways and anchored in the human experience, “Minari” follows a South Korean immigrant family and their search for the American Dream. The film earned six well-deserved Academy Award nominations and still stands firm as one of A24’s most affecting movies. [MY REVIEW]
#7 – “The Iron Claw” (2023)
While “The Iron Claw” received rave reviews from fellow critics, it still feels like a movie that never got the attention it deserved, especially during awards season. This crushing biographical drama based on the tragic true story of professional wrestling’s Von Erich family features a sublime ensemble cast and a career best performance from Zac Efron. Even better, it tells their devastating story with compassion and empathy. [MY REVIEW]
#6 – “Past Lives” (2023)
2023 was a stellar year for A24 (even more from it in a moment) and “Past Lives” was a big reason why. There is so much to love about this emotionally penetrating drama. It marked the spectacular feature film debut for writer-director Celine Song. And it featured one of the year’s very best performances from Greta Lee. “Past Lives” has stuck with me ever since first seeing it. [MY REVIEW]
#5 – “A Most Violent Year” (2014)
Here’s another movie that deserves more long-term love that it gets. J.C. Chandor’s rich and gritty crime drama “A Most Violent Year” was shunned by all the major Awards ceremonies. Still, it remains one of the best films of 2014 and one that has steadily gotten better with each viewing. The starring duo of Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain are magnetic, and Chandor’s storytelling sucks you in. [MY REVIEW]
#4 – “The Rover” (2014)
I’m guessing this is a pick that will surprise a lot of people. Nevertheless I’m a huge fan of “The Rover”, David Michôd’s dark and gritty dystopian drama set in a lawless Australian outback. Guy Pearce delivers a phenomenal lead performance, but it’s Robert Pattinson who steals the show. This is the performance that opened many of our eyes to the “Twilight” star and he hasn’t looked back since. If you haven’t seen “The Rover”, do yourself a favor and check it out. [MY REVIEW]
#3 – “The Witch” (2015)
Writer-director Robert Eggers burst onto the scene with one of the best directorial debuts of the past decade. “The Witch” is a masterclass in how to do amazing things with a tiny budget. Eggers’ film is expertly crafted – chilling and tension-soaked. And if that wasn’t enough, it made a star of young Anya Taylor-Joy whose big screen career has only blossomed. “The Witch” remains etched as one of my all-time favorite horror films. [MY REVIEW]
#2 – “First Reformed” (2018)
Paul Schrader’s “First Reformed” is the kind of wrenching movie that you wrestle with for days after seeing it. And that’s a big part of what makes its searing exploration of guilt, obsession, self-destruction, and despair so effective. Ethan Hawke delivers the performance of his career, fully embodying Schrader’s tragic lead. Meanwhile the influence of auteurs such as Bresson and Bergman can be seen everywhere. A brilliant film top to bottom. [MY REVIEW]
#1 – “The Zone of Interest” (2023)
Some may be quick to cry “recency bias” and I can understand why. But don’t be so quick to dismiss the stunningly brilliant film that is “The Zone of Interest”. Jonathan Glazer’s daringly precise and artfully calculated Holocaust drama is so quietly chilling that the true insidious nature of what we see creeps up on us. It’s fittingly unsettling yet strategic in how it conveys its horrors. As a result we get a landmark achievement both in filmmaking and as a historical reflection. [MY REVIEW]
Keith & the Movies 