With the year grinding down, most viewers will start to assess the range of films in the past year and have often overlooked so many hidden gems among blockbusters. While Oppenheimer and Barbie may have ruled conversations this year, some underrated films in 2024 have a story to be told, with immense performances and artistic merit in their entirety. Here are five such films that deserve attention.
As 2024 draws to a close, now seems a fine moment to look off the radar of blockbusters for a glimpse at the complex textures of storytelling in the movies. The following films are testimonials to the ingenuity and emotional resonance that often get lost in the larger narrative of the year. Each of those carries a different voice and perspective that invites audiences to engage in themes that strike a chord on personal and social levels. So, with your movie nights in planning, here is a deeper dive into some real hidden gems that actually deserve your attention.
Monkey Man
By actor Dev Patel, Monkey Man is an action thriller that weaves a gripping narrative of vengeance and societal injustice. The film tells the story of a nameless young man who, following a personal tragedy at the hands of corrupt leadership, takes upon himself the brutal campaign to strike at those oppressors of the underdog. Patel’s directorship garnered a lot of praise due to its stylish execution, and emotionally deep foray into themes of resilience and retribution. With Monkey Man, despite the critical acclaim and great performances, it has not gained its footing into the mainstream conversation. Making it a must-watch for those who enjoy films that combine action with meaningful commentary.
Suncoast
Suncoast boasts an impressive cast, featuring Laura Linney and Woody Harrelson in a story that sails through complex family dynamics and activism. A teenager whose life is steeped in the demands of caring for her ailing brother and a family’s unreal expectations finds an unlikely friendship with an eccentric activist entangled in a critical case of medical importance. It’s a fully fleshed-out coming-of-age drama with so much character development and emotional nuance, brought to a new perspective in how personal and political struggles interlink. While critically enjoying a decent amount of buzz, Suncoast hasn’t quite picked up steam with the wider audiences yet, and it’s a resonant treasure on both personal and social levels.
The Beekeeper
Jason Statham takes up his latest avatar in The Beekeeper, a revenge thriller that’s an even more stretched version of what Statham has been seen doing, nay indulging in until now. The story is about an undercover retired operative Adam Clay, notorious in the underworld, that starts his violent run of vengeance when a tragedy occurs with one of his dear landladies. Director David Ayer masterfully stitches heinous action action with an intellectual story that touches a great deal on loss and justice. While the box office numbers do not indicate that its typically expected of a Statham-led project, the engaging storyline coupled with emotional stakes makes the entirety well worth watching for fans of the genre.
Kneecap
Kneecap focuses uniquely on the screen between cultural identity and the efficiency of language through hip-hop. Situated in Belfast, this film narrates a story about one teacher whose life intertwines with some acts that do hip-hop, rapping in their native Irish tongue while trying to preserve their cultures. The story is important in showing the significance of identity and expression. With a new wave of music and telling, Kneecap is more or less an artistic experiment that should have seen more daylight in the course of time. Tinkering with music, culture, and personal maturity, it leaves viewers with a truly resonating experience, which has been underappreciated in discussions on the best films this year.
The Substance
Starring Demi Moore, The Substance cuts into the famous, identity, and self-concept. The film follows a washed-up celebrity who tries an illegal drug that makes her look and feel temporarily young again. Along with the ups and downs she experiences in her newfound lease on life, the movie also makes for really scintillating commentary on societal standards of beauty and pressures on celebrities. With an interesting premise and Moore’s fascinating performance, The Substance has failed to carve a niche for itself within the oversaturated film market; thus, it is highly recommended if you are looking for stories that go against the usual perceptions of celebrity culture.