American independent entertainment company A24, has become a major player in the film industry, despite being a relatively young company only founded in 2012.
Best known for its critically acclaimed films, variety of narratives and strong marketing, the company has become a powerhouse of creative freedom. The company is also behind popular Netflix series Beef and HBO’s Euphoria starring Zendaya. Here are the top 10 A24 films as ranked by Variety.
10. Past Lives (2023)
Modern romance Past Lives, written and directed by Celine Song, follows the lives of two childhood friends over a 24-year period. Set in both South Korea and New York and starring Greta Lee, the film explores the Korean Buddhist concept of ‘In-Yun’, which explores the idea that people are destined to meet or be in a romantic relationship because of their past lives or history of interactions. The film confronts themes of destiny, love and fate, and explores how past lives can shape current ones.
9. Ex Machina (2015)
Ex Machina, written and directed by Alex Garland in his directional debut, is a stylish and cerebral thriller. Domhnall Gleeson plays a programmer who is invited by his CEO to be the human component in a Turing Test. The experiment is based on Ava – an A.I, played by Alicia Vikander, her emotional intelligence proves more sophisticated and deceptive than the two men imagined. The film made waves when it scooped up the Oscar for Best Visual Effects in a category of big hitters.
8. Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Absurdist comedy-drama Everything Everywhere All at Once is sci-fi action adventure that follows a Chinese American woman, played by Michelle Yeoh, who cannot seem to finish her taxes. The film stars Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, Jamie Lee Curtis, and James Hong. Co-written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All at Once explores themes about what makes life meaningful. The film swept the 2023 awards season, most notably picking up the Oscar for Best Picture.
7. The Farewell (2019)
Writer and director Lulu Wang’s carefully designed picture stars American actor and comedian Awkwafina, supported by Tzi Ma, Diana Lin, and Zhao Shuzhen. The film follows the family’s beloved matriarch who has been given weeks to live – unbeknownst to her. The family decide not to tell her and instead gather under the guise of an expedited wedding. This funny tale navigates the trenches of family expectations and the telling of good lies.
6. The Zone of Interest (2023)
Jonathan Glazer’s exploration of the book The Zone of Interest by Martin Amis, is a bleak Nazi drama told from the perpetrator’s viewpoint. The story follows the commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, played by Christian Friedel, and his wife Hedwig, played by Sandra Hüller, as they aim to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden located next to the concentration camp. The chilling film features little or mundane dialogue and is told mainly through sound and the use of dispassionate mid and wide shots never showing us beyond the wall that separates the garden from the camp. The Zone of Interest won two Oscars for Best International Feature and Best Sound.
5. A Most Violent Year (2014)
This period drama written and directed by J.C. Chandor is powerfully ambitious and it uses imagery and underlying themes of ethics, failure and the American Dream to challenge the viewer. The film stars Jessica Chastain opposite Oscar Isaac and plays out within a maze of political disruption plaguing the streets of New York during the winter of 1981, where the city faced high crime rates and economic struggles. A Most Violent Year also received recognition for its beautiful soundtrack by Alex Ebert.
4. Close (2022)
Written by Lukas Dhont, Angelo Tijssens and directed by Dhont, Close is one of the most poignant coming-of-age dramas in recent memory. It follows the lives of two 13-year-old boys played by Eden Dambrine and Gustav de Waele, as the bond they created over the summer break is tested upon returning to school. Close explores themes of emotional disconnection and existential uncertainty and it draws parallels to acclaimed films Boyhood (2014) and also Moonlight (2016). The Belgian film stands as a testament to the quality of non-English cinema.
3. C’mon C’mon (2021)
With writing and directing from Mike Mills, this modest masterpiece is definitely one for fans of art-house. Starring Joaquin Phoenix in what has become known as his greatest performance, the film follows his character as he and his young nephew, played by Woody Norman, build a tenuous yet transformation relationship when they are unexpectedly thrown together. C’mon C’mon explores connections between adults and children and the past and the future. Robbie Ryan’s black-and-white cinematography adds richness to the film’s art-house flavour.
2. Lady Bird (2017)
Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut demonstrated her as a bold cinematic voice in this beautifully shot feature mainly based around the dynamics of a mother-daughter relationship. The film follows ‘Lady Bird’ as she attempts to navigate high school and figure out who she is. The film stars Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, Timothée Chalamet and Beanie Feldstein and is set in 2002 Sacramento, California amidst a rapidly shifting economic landscape. Lady Bird explores the unmatched beauty of the place we call home and the beliefs that shape us. It picked up the 2018 Golden Globe Awards Best Picture (Musical or Comedy) among numerous other awards.
1. Moonlight (2016)
This timeless story came from writers Barry Jenkins, Tarell Alvin McCraney. Directed by Jenkins, Moonlight is a beautiful insight into the world of a young black man coming to terms with his sexuality as he grows up in a rough neighbourhood in Miami. Its stellar cast includes Naomie Harris, André Holland, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders and Jharrel Jerome. The film’s beauty is captured against the blue hues of cinematographer James Laxton. Moonlight won the hearts of the Hollywood industry as it picked up the Best Picture Oscar in the 2017 season.