Best Sundance Films 2024 – The Hollywood Reporter
Clockwise from top left: “Luther: Don’t Exaggerate Too Much”, “My Old Ass”, “Real Pain”, “Superman: The Christopher Reeve Story”, “I Saw the TV Glow”, “Gaucho Gaucho”, “The Good And “presence.”
Matthew Rolston/Courtesy of Sundance; Shane Mahmoud/Courtesy of Sundance Courtesy of Sundance (5). Mary Ellen Mark/Mary Ellen Mark Foundation/Courtesy of Sundance
Writer-director Aaron Shimberg offers an endearingly twisted look at actors, playwrights, the vanities, and the plight of the disfigured. A24’s dark, provocative comedy focuses on an aspiring thespian with neurofibromatosis (played with tongue-in-cheek by Sebastian Stan) who finds a cure, only to long for the life he had when his face was still disfigured. Renate Rainsvi and Adam Persson (who suffers from neurofibromatosis) shine in key supporting roles. — Jordan Mentzer
Titus Kabar’s tender directorial debut is supported by star Andre Holland as a painter trying to reconcile with his father (the wonderful John Earl Gilkes) at the behest of his mother (the always priceless Aunganu Ellis Taylor). Preoccupied with questions of love and connection—and boasting an astonishing sense of composition—Cavar proves to be a passionate and insightful portraitist of black life. — Lovia Jjarki
If it takes an MCU movie for filmmaking duo Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (Captain Marvel) to indulge in this kind of exhilaratingly creative exorcism Freaky tales Represents bringing in superheroes. Not even the iconic Indies like Half nelson And Mississippi grinding It can prepare you for the kinetic energy, imagination and fair fights – whether rap or slash and dice – of this love letter to the Bay Area, told in four interconnected underdog stories starring Pedro Pascal, Jay Ellis and Ben Mendelsohn. — David Rooney
For the first time, editor-in-chief is Carla Gutierrez (RPG) goes beyond the dime-sized “icon” label to confront Frida Kahlo on her own terms, drawing on the Mexican artist’s illustrated diaries and letters. The documentary’s archival riches also include an extraordinary array of photographs and footage. Paying homage to Kahlo without resorting to sensationalism, but also letting her do the talking, the film evokes the magic of the company of someone special. — Sherry Linden
The new movie from Truffle hunters Filmmakers Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw take them to the mountainous Salta region in northwestern Argentina to capture the passion, spirituality, and profound coexistence with nature of a community of cowboys and cowgirls. The film finds captivating characters who very clearly enjoy freedom from contemporary society. But the real stars are the gorgeous black and white photos. — doctor
The modesty of India Donaldson’s debut film makes the gradual revelation of its protagonist’s emotional depths all the more startling. By contrasting the intimacy of its gaze with the expansive beauty of its woods, the drama chronicles a camping trip taken by a college-bound 17-year-old (Lily Kollias), her father (James Le Gros) and his best friend (Danny McCarthy). It’s an exceptionally powerful calling card for both writer, director and young hero. — doctor
Alessandra Lacorazza’s quiet debut film is a visual poem, an encapsulating ode to the experiences shared by a father and his daughters. Chronicling the complex relationship between a New Mexico man and his two children over four summer vacations, the drama, like last year’s Sundance smash All dirt roads taste of salt, swaying to its own rhythm. It is a nuanced and sensitive exploration of forgiveness and healing. — LG
Judge Smith extraordinaire plays a lonely teenager who finds comfort in his friendship with a gorgeous older girl (Brigitte Lundy-Payne) and a young sci-fi TV show they both love. In a style reminiscent of vintage Greg Araki, with hints of… Donnie Darko And Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Jane Schönbrunn’s shocking drama about teenage anxiety about the places we run to when we don’t feel at home in the real world—and the harsh truth that even fantasy has its limits. — Jordan Searles
It’s surprising that Luther Vandross hasn’t gotten the documentary treatment yet, considering his mark on the music industry. Dawn Porter corrects that with a lively portrait, making stunning use of rehearsal footage, concert videos, old interviews with Vandross, and more recent interviews with his friends and family. Porter draws media attention to the body of the R&B singer (who has long struggled with his weight) as an entry point for examining Vandross’s desire to be loved. — LG
It’s always a nice surprise to come across a new face who also has a natural screen presence. That’s very much the case with the captivating Maisie Stella, who plays Elliot, a teenager about to head off to college, in Megan Park’s warm blend of comedy, romance, and whimsical fantasy. The fact that the newcomer manages to jump in from Aubrey Plaza, in an incomparably sarcastic form as Elliot’s future advice-dispensing character, only sweetens the deal. Not since Toy Story 3 The film was very much in touch with the tender feelings associated with leaving home and saying goodbye to childhood. — doctor
It’s a refreshing feeling to know early in a film that you’re in confident hands, and Steven Soderbergh conveys that assurance immediately in this thrilling ghost story set in one location. Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Eddie Maddy, and newcomer Kalina Liang play a family on the verge of collapse when they move into a new home. It is clear from the beginning that the house will be a major character. But even more important – and terrifying – is the subjective behind-the-camera point of view that gives this brilliantly executed horror film its title. — doctor
A deeply funny film about an odd couple whose emotional impact sneaks up on you, director Jesse Eisenberg’s sophomore directorial thriller follows two cousins (played by a delightful Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin) who travel to their ancestral home in Poland to honor their grandmother. Exploring the struggle of Americans grappling with their own problems, no matter how minor, while trying to make sense of the punishing experience endured by the elderly, it’s a Holocaust film with a fresh perspective. — doctor
Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Casey explore the abusive legacy and destructive impact of Catholic-run Native American missionary schools in Canada. The film’s sensitivity to the ongoing pain of its subjects is one of its major achievements. Yet the filmmakers handle their heavy subject matter without despair, weaving in surprising moments of humour, elevating their interviewees, and embracing the turbulent emotional arc of the investigation. — LG
In their deeply moving and skillfully edited documentary, Ian Bonhot and Peter Ettedgi trace the Hollywood history and personal history of the titular subject along with the tireless disability-awareness activism that arose from his paralysis after a 1995 equestrian accident. One of the things that makes Superman It’s deeply satisfying, and for a film in which tragedy and loss play a central role, it’s rich with hope, kindness, gratitude, and the resilience of the human spirit. — doctor
In their smart, nuanced, and compelling documentary, Stephen Ming and Brett Story follow the nascent Amazon Workers Union in its 2021 quest to organize workers at Amazon’s warehouses on Staten Island. Using straightforward, unobtrusive cinema techniques, the film offers something more interesting than a simple David vs. Goliath story; It captures the frustration and exhilaration of trying to do the right thing in an impossible historical moment. —Daniel Feinberg
This story first appeared in the January 26 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.
