by Billie Anderson, Staff Writer

2024 has been a transformative year for me in film. It marks my first year covering movies as press at a major festival (TIFF), and it’s given me the opportunity to dive deeper into film criticism—something I’ve long aspired to do. This list is not about the usual suspects you’ll see everywhere (though Challengers, Dune: Part Two, The Substance, and Anora are all incredible). Instead, I’m focusing on some of my favorite lesser-known gems of the year—films you might not find on every Best of 2024 list but absolutely should make the time to see. You can always check my ever-evolving Letterboxd for my changing picks.

10. I Saw the TV Glow (dir. Jane Schoenbrun)

I Saw the TV Glow taps into something deeply personal about growing up with media shaping who we think we should be, especially in the context of queerness. There’s something particularly powerful about the way it taps into identity–how we often grow up seeing ourselves reflected through others, whether in stories, images, or characters, but never quite seeing who we truly are. Very “I was born in the 90s” movie–not in the nostalgia pulls, but in the “I don’t know who I am without media” kind of way. Haunting enough without the identity coverage.

It’s weird, fragmented, and ethereal, creating a rawness that’s all the more compelling. The film reflects on how we piece together our identities from the narratives we consume, making it a deeply introspective watch.

9. Monkey Man (dir. Dev Patel)

Did you all forget that Dev Patel not only stars in but also wrote and directed Monkey Man, where he’s buff and trans women are his biggest supporters? I didn’t, but I guess I’m just different.

I've only recently come around to action films, and this one really convinced me to give others a chance (I watched all the Mission Impossible movies after seeing this bad boy). Patel plays a man scraping by, fighting in underground fighting rings in a monkey mask. The film quickly becomes a John Wick style fight for vengeance, with the backdrop of Hindu nationalism.

The film feels fresh, especially as it shifts away from the typical Western action genre. Patel has earned this success—Monkey Man is an exciting debut that deserves your attention.

8. Hundreds of Beavers (dir. Mike Cheslik)

Technically a 2023 (2022 even?) release, I had the pleasure of seeing Hundreds of Beavers at a Midnight Dankness screening before TIFF last year, and let me tell you, it’s an instant classic, and my most rewatched movie of 2024. From the opening moments, the film’s energy pulls you in. The titular beavers are more than just a plot device–they’re the chaotic heart of a story that takes place in an odd, surreal wilderness, where physical comedy and an almost slapstick sensibility steal the show.

The plot is hard to explain without sounding like a fever dream, but that’s what makes it so special. It’s a bizarre western adventure, with a hero who’s definitely in over his head, battling hordes of beavers in a way that is both hilarious and unsettling—there are indeed hundreds of beavers, something in the vein of 300 is what the director said at a Q+A in Toronto earlier this year, despite only 3 beaver costumes existing (one of which was stolen in Toronto as well). It has this surreal quality to it–think if Buster Keaton went to the Wild West and encountered a surreal world of animal terror.

But the real fun of Hundreds of Beavers isn’t necessarily in the absurdity, it’s in how much you’ll laugh at the sheer chaos. It’s a comedy for the out-of-your-mind absurdist in all of us, with bizarre set pieces that keeps you giggling and kicking your feet long after the credits roll. If you’re in the mood for something that pushes the boundaries of what you can expect from a movie, this is a great pick.

7. The End (dir. Joshua Oppenheimer)

A post-apocalyptic musical might sound like a hard sell, but The End pulls it off with style. Set in a bunker after humanity has effectively wiped itself out, the film follows a family grappling with their complicity in the earth’s demise while pretending that life goes on as normal.

While the music didn’t entirely work for me (it’s not bad, just not particularly memorable), everything else about this film blew me away. The cast is phenomenal, with George MacKay delivering a standout performance that cements him as one of the most exciting actors of his generation. The choreography and staging are also breathtaking, turning the claustrophobic setting into something dynamic and visually arresting–it also has one of my favourite movie posters of the year.

It’s weird, chaotic, and a little messy, but it stays with you long after you’ve finished watching it. The End swings for the fences, and even when it misses, it’s still captivating.

6. Trap (dir. M. Night Shyamalan)

We were all Trap-pilled when this movie first dropped, and for good reason. I truly believe that this movie has the same online cultural reach that Challengers does. Months later, people are still sharing “Cooper Trap” memes on Twitter, and it feels like the film has become a permanent fixture in the online zeitgeist.

As with most Shyamalan, it’s either a hard hit or a meh miss. This might be one of his best–silly, heartfelt, hunky Josh Hartnett, filmed in Toronto pretending to be Philly, beautiful nepo daughter as great all time popstar Lady Raven, it really has it all.

The premise is simple–identify and capture dangerous serial killer The Butcher in a crowd of 20,000, all trapped at a pop concert, with no means of escape–but the execution is absurdly fun, with ridiculous dialogue, jaw-dropping cinematography, and a surprisingly touching exploration of family. If you love films that are so outrageous they’re almost too good to exist, this one’s for you. Makes you remember what film is all about!

5. Universal Language (dir. Matthew Rankin)

If Wes Anderson and Christopher Guest had a baby and raised it in the Canadian prairies, you’d get Universal Language. A quirky, offbeat film that blends sharp humor with moments of staggering emotion, this film has the kind of absurd energy that stays with you.

Set in a surreal version of Winnipeg where Farsi is the native tongue, the story shifts between a young girl looking for a friend’s glasses and a man returning to care for his dementia-stricken mother–who, much to his dismay, has found a new family. You’ll laugh, you’ll reflect, and you might even cry–all while marveling at how weirdly perfect it is. It’s one of those movies where every decision the characters make enrages you, which makes it a very gripping watch.

So Canadiana–even with a Tim Hortons turned Indian tea shop–that it hurts. If you want something that blends sharp humor with genuine emotion, this is the movie for you. A must watch for anyone who grew up in the blistering winters of the Canadian prairies.

4. Nickel Boys (dir. RaMell Ross)

Based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Nickel Boys is a harrowing and necessary film about racism, abuse, and survival in a segregated reform school in Florida. Nickel Boys is not a fun watch. Its restraint is its greatest strength, and it doesn’t sensationalize its painful material–instead, it lets the quiet horror of the story unfold.

The immersive first-person POV, which alternates between the two protagonists, deepens the emotional impact of their bond. Something that would feel gimmicky in other films feels like the most obvious choice here. The performances are devastatingly good, especially in capturing the complexity of friendship and resilience amidst unimaginable abuse. The film arrived at a particularly charged political moment (I saw it literally the day after the US election), and it feels eerily relevant. Alongside The Brutalist, this is one of those films that feels too perfect to exist–an urgent, unforgettable work of art that demands to be seen. This is the kind of movie you watch once, recommend to everyone you know, and then never watch again.

3. The Outrun (dir. Nora Fingscheidt)

Coming-of-age films are something I hold close, but at 27, I’ve outgrown many of the typical representations of that period. Enter The Outrun, a raw and beautiful film about recovering from addiction and rediscovering oneself in your late twenties.

Saoirse Ronan’s portrayal of Rona, a woman returning to her childhood home after rehab, is a study in vulnerability. The Orkney Islands’ desolate landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for this quiet journey of healing, and director Nora Fingscheidt uses its slow pacing to invite viewers into Rona’s emotional world.

The Outrun is more than a film about addiction; it’s a poignant exploration of the messiness of personal growth, reconciling with past trauma, and finding peace in an uncertain future. It’s the kind of film that lingers long after the credits roll–so much so that I cried so hard that strangers checked on me as I left the theater.

2. A Different Man (dir. Aaron Schimberg)

If I had to pick a favorite of the year, A Different Man would be it. As someone with a background in Disability Studies, this film struck a chord with me on a personal level. Aaron Schimberg’s direction brings out extraordinary performances from both Sebastian Stan and Adam Pearson, who I hope aren’t completely ignored come Oscar season (I know, I know, it doesn’t matter, but it does to ME!)

The film is a dark, unsettling exploration of identity and self-perception. It centers on Edward, a man undergoing facial reconstructive surgery who becomes obsessed with the actor playing him in a stage adaptation of his life. The film questions not just how we see others, but how we see ourselves. It’s a difficult meditation on authenticity, representation, and the exploitation of personal narratives.

This film changed me–not in a casual “wow, that was powerful” sense, but in a way that left me rethinking my entire dissertation. Schimberg is a director to watch, and A Different Man is a must-see. For more on why this film matters, check out my article here.

1. The Brutalist (dir. Brady Corbet)

A lot has been said about The Brutalist, and for good reason. The story, spanning decades, follows an architect in post-war America as he navigates art, love, and survival. It’s an exploration of ambition, legacy, and the systems that define our lives all framed through the ever changing American Dream.

Though it may seem like a “heavy-hitter” of the year, its limited release and long runtime make it easy to overlook. But those who do seek it out will find it to be one of the most emotionally resonant films of the year. And if you get the chance, seeing it on 70mm is a must—the cinematography alone is worth the ticket. Check out my full review here.

Honorable Mentions

Some other favorites that have been written about extensively, either here at MovieJawn or elsewhere, but still worth noting:

The People’s Joker
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
A Real Pain
Smile 2
Megalopolis
Conclave

Looking ahead, I’ve got some exciting 2025 titles coming your way, including The Shrouds, The Life of Chuck, and Friendship. These films could easily end up in next year’s roundup, so keep your eyes peeled! It’s shaping up to be a great year for cinema.