The Best of 2024: Films You Can Now Stream at Home
Despite the very patchy recent Oscar nominations, 2024 was a strong year for film. Not all of the best of the year are available to stream for free, but in this issue we take a look at a few stand out examples you can watch at home. After all, what better way is there to spend the long winter nights?
Civil War (2024) – Prime Video
We kick-off with a trio of films on Amazon Prime Video. If you’re interested in CIVIL WAR, some advice: don’t watch the trailer. It’s a stunning mis-selling of what the film is actually about. What it is though, is one of the boldest films of the year, from of the best filmmakers on the planet. CIVIL WAR, directed by Alex Garland, known for EX MACHINA, ANNIHILATION and 28 DAYS LATER, reimagines a fragmented United States where political division spirals into an all-out civil war. The film explores themes of survival and identity amidst societal collapse and follows a group of journalists who travel across America hoping to land the mother of all exclusives: an interview with the President. Garland’s direction is as razor-sharp as ever, blending tense action sequences with thoughtful commentary on our increasingly divided world. Its dystopian tone and haunting visuals stay with you long after the credits roll. This is intelligent filmmaking that’s as thrilling as it is thought-provoking.
Challengers – Prime Video
CHALLENGERS is a masterstroke from Luca Guadagnino, blending romance, sport, and ambition into a steamy and surprisingly emotional drama. Zendaya stars as Tashi Duncan, a tennis prodigy turned coach caught in a love triangle with her husband Art (Mike Faist) and ex-lover Patrick (Josh O’Connor). Who also used to be doubles partners. While the setup suggests light romantic fare served up as a sports film, it instead takes unexpected turns, delving deep into themes of power, loyalty, and the sacrifices required for success. Guadagnino’s knack for visual storytelling shines, with imaginatively choreographed tennis sequences that pulse with tension. The whole film is propelled by an astonishing soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross that is full of energy and verve, desire and urgency. Zendaya’s performance is magnetic, perfectly balancing vulnerability and ferocity and the 2 male leads offer an equally charismatic and engaging pairing.
Longlegs – Prime Video
Horror fans have been served well in the last couple of years, and LONGLEGS is a real standout. At once an FBI procedural set in the 90s (yes, there’s more than a little of SILENCE OF THE LAMBS in the DNA of LONGLEGS), and also a chilling, supernatural thriller, it’s relentlessly unsettling and captivating. This is in no small part to Nicolas Cage who is both hypnotic but repulsive in one of his most haunting roles to date. Focused around FBI profiler Lee Harker who is chasing a cryptic serial killer known as “Longlegs”, as she digs deeper, what begins as a hunt for a maniac descends into something far darker and more supernatural. Perkins’ use of atmosphere is masterful; every frame oozing dread. Cage delivers a performance that is as eccentric as it is terrifying, reminding us why he’s one of the most versatile actors working today. LONGLEGS is a must-watch for anyone craving an atmospheric thriller that stays under your skin.
The Substance – Paramount+
This isn’t for everyone. You might have seen clips, seen Demi Moore at awards ceremonies or even seen the trailer, but this isn’t the film that you think it might be. It is certainly slick, stylish, and utterly absorbing, but THE SUBSTANCE combines body horror with biting social commentary in a genuinely shocking and graphic way. Directed by Coralie Fargeat (REVENGE), the film takes on consumer culture with unflinching audacity. Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley lead the cast who take The Substance, a revolutionary beauty product, only for it to not be quite what everyone expects. What begins as a satire of vanity and capitalism morphs into a visceral tale of transformation, both literal and metaphorical. Fargeat’s direction is as visually stunning as it is unrelenting, pulling no punches as she examines society’s obsession with perfection. Equal parts grotesque and compelling, THE SUBSTANCE is not for the faint-hearted but is a cinematic experience worth every cringe and gasp.
Alien: Romulus – Disney+
It’s always risky to revisit a beloved franchise, but ALIEN: ROMULUS is terrific fun. It’s true that it perhaps spends too long paying homage to the original 2 films, but it still delivers an intense and memorable experience. Directed by Fede Álvarez (DON’T BREATHE), this prequel follows a group of young and oppressed ‘off-world’ workers who desperately seek a way of escaping their oppressive work lives. In doing so, they visit a spaceship that, of course, happens to contain a terrifying xenomorph (or 12). Álvarez masterfully blends tension and terror, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere reminiscent of Ridley Scott’s original masterpiece. The cast, led by Cailee Spaeny, and an astonishingly impressive turn by relative newcomer David Jonsson, delivers gripping performances that ground the story amidst the chaos. With breathtaking visuals and heart-pounding sequences, ALIEN: ROMULUS breathes new life into the franchise while honoring its legacy.
Ian Moreno-Melgar is an educational consultant to the British Film Institute, a published author of film education textbooks, and is very excited to see both The Brutalist in 70mm and the return of Marvel films to the big screen. Oh, and a new Mission: Impossible film.
