Ever since they first burst onto the movie scene back in the early 2010s, indie studio A24 has made a name for itself by releasing some critically acclaimed movies. From bizarre horror outings to affected dramas and outlandish comedies, here are the ten best movies from the studio (so far)!
The Lobster
This offbeat black comedy centers on an unusual premise. David, a lonely man who recently got divorced, goes to a hotel where single people have 45 days to find a partner lest they be transformed into an animal of their choice. In David’s case, he wants to be turned into a lobster if he can’t find a partner. It’s a bizarre, weirdly funny movie that examines modern dating culture.
Eighth Grade
Eighth Grade is Bo Burnham’s awkward, clear-eyed look at the trickiest part of being a teenager: surviving middle school. This brutally honest and biting movie is equal parts moving and funny. Fans of Burnham’s standup will find plenty of his trademark snark and wit here.
Ex Machina
In a chilling look at the nature of intelligence, this film tells the story of a human-like robot who is close to achieving genuine intelligence. The company that made her brings in an expert to test her capabilities, and things start to go off the rails when the test proctor develops feelings for his synthetic subject.
Midsommar
Breakups are rough. They’re especially rough in the sun-drenched world of Midsommar, as a group of twenty-somethings make their way to Scandinavia to enjoy the titular mid-summer festival. As the group continues to meet grisly ends at the hands of a pagan cult, things take some unexpectedly brutal turns.
The Iron Claw
The von Erich family was once the biggest thing to ever hit the world of professional wrestling. Then, one by one, they seemed to fall victim to a bizarre family curse that ended their lives. The biopic-style movie The Iron Claw is a moving narrative that tells the sad tale of the doomed wrestlers in an emotionally resonate way.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
The multiverse quickly became an exhausting storytelling device in the hands of some blockbuster movies, but Everything Everywhere All at Once showcases how you can use the concept to find some genuine pathos. The less you know about this outlandish and bombastic action flick, the better. The twists and turns of its bizarre narrative hit all the right emotional beats and bring in some truly jaw dropping moments of familial love.
The Disaster Artist
Your opinion of controversial star James Franco notwithstanding, The Disaster Artist is a genuinely delightful film for fans of The Room. This somewhat fictionalized account of the making of that Tommy Wiseau-helmed disasterpiece is as funny as it is atypical.
Hereditary
Hereditary is an unsettling movie. From its eerie imagery to its haunting plotline, this is the kind of horror flick that sticks with you for a long time after the credits roll. I wouldn’t recommend this one for the faint of heart, as it’s a brutal, sometimes even mean-spirited flick that has no sympathy for even its most innocent characters.
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Uncut Gems
Adam Sandler is in rare form on Uncut Gems, one of his rare outings in a dramatic role. As the New York-based jeweler Howard, Sandler is electrifying. Howard wheels and deals his way across the Diamond District, parlaying his charismatic bravado in a desperate attempt to make ever bigger bets on a particularly mystifying opal he’s come into possession of.
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Moonlight
Moonlight is a one-of-a-kind film. It’s an immensely compassionate and heartfelt coming of age story that focuses on Black masculinity, homosexuality, and addiction in way that feels both poignant and authentic. It’s one of the finest films ever made and easily the best that A24 has to offer. If you haven’t seen this movie, check it out. Be prepared to cry.
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