In 2024, a wide array of fantastic films were released. From the steamy tennis affairs of “Challengers” to the epic sci-fi battles of “Dune: Part Two” to the tear-jerking theatrical numbers in “Wicked” the big screen was graced with some true cinematic magic this year. However, not every film that deserves its stars received them. To shine a light on some of these hidden gems, here are three of the best 2024 films that audiences missed.
Robot Dreams
This beautifully animated film flew under the radar of many as it took over a year to be widely released in U.S. theaters following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023. By the time the film was available to see, the buzz around it had died down and many had forgotten about its existence. This is unfortunate; with better marketing and a stronger release strategy, “Robot Dreams” could have been one of the year’s most beloved films. It is essentially a colorful and cute love-ish story between a robot and a dog set in the 1980s. In perhaps the film’s most iconic scene, the duo dances on roller-skates in Central Park to Earth, Wind and Fire’s “September,” a moment sure to have anyone grinning ear-to-ear.
It should be noted that “Robot Dreams” is far from being just a childish, “feel-good” film. The story becomes frequently heartbreaking and relatable, and the movie’s title feels like a gut punch once you understand its context. Some have connected the film to Celine Song’s “Past Lives,” as both films deal with themes of drifting from significant relationships and asking what could have been.
The movie is dialogue-free, immersing viewers in the sights and sounds of a retro New York inhabited by anthropomorphic animals working nine-to-five jobs. The film’s magical realism makes for a one-of-a-kind experience. It guides viewers in with the promise of silly, animated animal shenanigans and keeps them engaged with hard truths about love and life.
Between the Temples
It feels as if real laugh-out-loud, hold-your-gut, cry-your-eyes-out hilarious comedies are far and between nowadays. That’s why “Between the Temples,” which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, was such a delight to watch. It follows Jason Schwartzman as a cantor named Ben at a low point in his life. When he re-meets his elementary school music teacher, Carla, played by Carol Kane, the two begin to build a strong bond, Carla becoming his adult Bat Mitzvah student.
Right off the bat, the film is gorgeous to look at with its 16mm cinematography. This, plus some noticeably scratchy-sounding audio, captures a genuine 70s cinema feel alike to Hal Ashby’s “Harold and Maude.” The similarities to that 1971 film don’t stop there, as “Between the Temples” is related thematically and with its approach to comedy. The movie mixes awkward, situational humor with an authentic sweetness that can only be found in our unique connections with others. One of my favorite sequences in the film has Schwartzman’s Ben, hallucinating off mushroom tea, chasing his younger, teenage self and the footage sped up to give it a “The Benny Hill Show” look. Another standout sequence is a wonderfully uncomfortable dinner sequence towards the end of the film that concludes in a game of telephone that is so awkward, that you can’t help but laugh.
Schwartzman is unsurprisingly incredible. His depressed mannerisms are comical but also painfully relatable. Kane is also fantastic, creating a complex and full character in less than two hours. If films like “Harold and Maude,” “Rushmore” or even the recently released “The Holdovers” are up your alley, “Between the Temples” is the film for you.
Strange Darling
This last pick is for you freaks out there. “Strange Darling” is a difficult film to write about as it is best watched knowing as little as possible going into it. To give a synopsis without revealing too much, the film is about a one-night stand gone wrong and the dangerous game of cat and mouse that ensues.
“Strange Darling” is a unique film on almost every level. Despite an incredibly dark plot line, the film is shot on 35mm with a focus on colors that pop. The movie is a feast for the eyes, from the lead’s deep red hair and jumpsuit to the bright greens of the Oregon forest setting. The story is told out of chronological order, the film’s six chapters being played in shuffle. By doing this, the movie can layer twist upon twist, repeatedly breaking the viewer’s understanding of the narrative. There is not a dull moment throughout the film and the tension remains at an all-time high throughout the runtime.
The movie is accompanied by a haunting soundtrack by musician Z Berg. Her echoey vocals give the film an ethereal vibe and make the story feel all that more uncanny and mysterious.
The film’s two stars are Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner, who play characters named “The Lady” and “The Demon.” Gallner, a smaller actor with a dedicated fanbase from his work in films like “Jennifer’s Body” and “Dinner in America,” gives a stellar performance that demands a lot of him physically and emotionally. Fitzgerald, known most from the MTV “Scream” show, is asked to do the same but at a level 10 times as intense. Fitzgerald is a revelation, giving a visceral performance that trumps many Oscar winners.
“Strange Darling” is not for everyone. However, for those looking for a wickedly deranged thrill ride of a film, this is a flick that cannot be missed.
