As the year comes to a close, I’ve been spending a lot of time reminiscing on my favorite films of the year. In true Letterboxd user fashion, I’d like to take you, dear reader, through four favorites from the year 2024.

1. “I Saw The TV Glow” by Jane Schoenbrun starring Justice Smith and Brigitte Lundy-Paine

This film follows two friends, Owen and Maddy, and their evolving relationship with the characters in their favor-
ite television series, “The Pink Opaque.” It turns into a beautiful and deeply sad story that rocked me upon first watch. I returned three times to the theaters to watch it again. The performances are phenomenal, and the original soundtrack featuring artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Caroline Polachek is outstanding. The director’s vision is so clear, and the love and care she put into the film is equally obvious.

2. “The Substance” by Coralie Fargeat starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley I’ve never been inclined to seek out horror films but this one was different. This film is the definition of making the most out of what you’re given. Every single aspect of the film is so intentional, detailed and well-crafted—the prosthetics, the costumes and the sets. The intended message of the film could not be clearer, in my opinion. It’s intense, disgusting, hard-
core and so awesome. Moore gives such a startling performance, as does Qualley, and it was so worth getting over my aversion to horror to see such an impactful film as this one.

3. “Anora” by Sean Baker starring Mikey Madison

I know this film has been talked about so much recently, but I must admit it deserves every second of fame and every piece of praise that it’s received. This movie was so much fun. Every time I thought I could predict what was going to happen, it went in another direction. Madison’s performance was so singular and nuanced; I hadn’t heard of her before this film but I’m making it a mission to seek out everything she’s done after watching her as Ani. I’ve seen a lot of discussion about this film sweeping at the Oscars next year and I would not be disappointed it deserves it all.

4. “The People’s Joker” by Vera Drew starring Vera Drew

I saw this film in April and it has stayed so present and vibrant in my mind ever since. It’s entirely self-made and the ultimate product of the 21st century. I mean that in the sense that it is almost entirely computer-generated and low-res, but it one hundred percent works. Vera Drew directed, wrote and starred in this piece about a transgender comedian grappling with her gender identity who forms a new anti-comedy troupe. This film is technically from 2022 but I count it as this year  because Drew won a lawsuit against her from DC Comics and was finally allowed to distribute the film this year. She won on the basis that this film’s usage of the Joker character is so deeply ironic and intentional that the film counts as a parody. This movie is hilarious and insightful, and an incredible step into a world of filmmaking that, from my point of view, is relatively untapped.

All in all, 2024 was a fantastic year for cinema. I can’t call this list my top four from the year because there are still so many films I’m excited to see like Halina Reijn’s “Babygirl,” Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist,” and more. However, these are four standouts that have really stuck with me and that I highly recommend.