Veronica’s Top 12 Movies of 2024

This past year saw a return to form for me in that I was able to get to a decent amount of movies and they were from all over the world and timeline. A few of these were mentioned earlier this year on Back Row, so if those entries seem lacking, go read the linked articles.

I will say I was disappointed by some of the horror offerings in 2024 (Longlegs and Cuckoo were both draining letdowns) and I saw a few others that are worth a shout-out but not an entire spot like In A Violent Nature, Problemista, and Basket Case 3.

Let’s get to it then:

12. Blink Twice (2024, dir. Zoë Kravitz)

I had kind of wanted to see this movie but was a bit on the fence because there were too many famous faces in it – I’ve sat through a lot of schlock lately that was a brimming with people we all know doing their two minute scenes that were being vaguely stitched together into a feature film. Not true of this one. I managed to catch Blink Twice on a plane on the way home for Christmas (because Christmas entertainment needs more ‘women in danger’, I suppose) and was surprised at how much I liked it.

At one point during my viewing, I mentioned to my boyfriend that I was worried the movie was painting itself into a corner and trying to be too clever and would ultimately be unsatisfying when it wraps up. That is also not the case here. As the mystery that gets unraveled it’s harrowing and upsetting enough in its own right that, even if there are some holes in the explanation, the emotional notes hit and land. I am keeping this all vague for the sake of spoilers but I plan to use this film in an upcoming article so you’ve been warned. See it before then or forever hold your peace.

11. Do Not Expect Much From the End of the World (2023, dir. Radu Jude) 

I’m not even totally sure how to explain this movie. Not a whole lot happens in Do Not Expect Much From the End of the World, it’s more about someone dealing with their job and making wild videos on social media than anything really plot-driven. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t include it in my end of the year round-up considering how hard it made me laugh. 

Ilinica Monolache as Angela, an overworked woman whose job is in production for work safety videos and whose hobby is making satirical shorts for the internet, is the true heart of this film. Her performance is both effortless and hilarious. I am in  the process of getting copies of some of her other movies (although I didn’t realize she was in Bad Luck Banging, which I saw last year.)

For those interested in this one, a word of warning: it’s long. Like, close to three hours. It’s worth it, but it’s also a movie where it ends and you’re kind of going, “what? Huh?” so… ya know. Heads up, is all.

10. ¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor! (2024, dir. Arthur Bradford)

I am aware of the fact that documentaries tend to not make my end of the year round-up all that much. I think there’s only been at most one a year on all of these. Well, guess what? This year is no different. Casa Bonita Mi Amor is the one documentary but it is wonderful and stressful and funny and genuinely sweet.

Did you know Casa Bonita from that episode of South Park is a real place? I didn’t either! This documentary is about Trey Parker and Matt Stone buying and revitalizing the rundown yet still beloved establishment and just how much work, money, and energy they (especially Trey Parker) poured into it. There are some really shocking moments – like the most disgusting soda and HVAC systems I have ever seen – as well as some laugh-till-you-cry moments (one also related to said HVAC system), and an overall tenderness. It’s sort of a feel good movie if your version of feel good involves a chunk of anxiety slammed right in the middle of it like mine does.

9. Flow (2024, dir. Gints Zilbalodis)

If you know me in person, you know I’m obsessed with my cat. You might also know this without knowing me in person. Either way, I think cats are great. This adorable animated movie focuses on a cat that survives a flood and amasses a group of other animal friends (friends eventually; confusing beasts at first) who all wind up bringing a much needed skill to their journey. 

Flow ends on a bittersweet note of accepting a situation, which I was not entirely prepared for since most of the story is these animals never giving in. Plus it’s gorgeous to look at, though the visuals might make it seem more childish or lighthearted than it is. There is a lot of frustration and sadness within this wordless film. Perfect family entertainment, if you ask me.

8. Caligula: The Ultimate Cut (1979, dir. tinto Brass, Bob Guccione, Giancarlo Lui)

Can you believe I had never seen this movie? I couldn’t. It was playing at the Alamo and a friend of mine (who was also like, “how have I never seen this movie? Let’s go”) invited me. We were both cackling through the entire runtime.

Malcolm McDowell is obviously perfect as always and really everyone in the cast of truly heavy hitters holds their own. It makes me laugh to think about this movie being made because I do love to complain about current films with too many celebrities and here’s one that has a ton of well-known people and was probably bloated from trying to give everyone their screen time.

That has nothing to do with anything. Just musing. Anyway, it’s still amazing to me that I never saw a pretty gay movie with Malcolm McDowell and Peter O’toole that was written by Gore Vidal and considered too shocking for the seventies. Hell, there were a few scenes that both my friend and I were like, “whoa…ok, did not expect that.” Caligula, try it, won’t you?

7. Late Night with the Devil (2023, dir. Cameron Cairnes, Colin Cairnes)

This movie got a lot of love and press when it came out so I don’t feel like I need to dive too deeply into it or what I liked about it. Great performances, good concept, that pressing question of ‘what would you give to be successful’? Running in semi-real time makes Late Night… a freaky movie that doesn’t lean too hard into horror, for those of you who aren’t into that kind of thing.

6. She is Conann (2023, dir. Bertrand Mandico)

Now we’re getting into it! Weird French movie featuring interlocking narratives, dog-faced characters, and Conan the Barbarian reimagined as three different women? I knew about halfway through that this bonkers flick was going to make my year end wrap-up.

I did cover this one in an earlier article so I’ll direct curious folks to that for more information. If you watch the trailer of this movie and think it looks insufferable, impenetrable, and weird for the sake of weird then I’d suggest a pass on it for you. This is a wild one, for sure. The narrative isn’t linear (to say the least) and there’s plenty of moments I had to look up later to fully understand. It is stunning in a way that I wish more modern movies went for: art directed and very purposefully staged. The sets and locations were great as we bounce around from ancient times to the seventies to a dimension somewhere in the ether of existence. A one-of-a-kind film that I hope inspires other directors to create pieces like this.

5. Rare Blue Apes of Cannibal Isle (1975, dir. Donn Greer)

Yeah, I also wrote about this one already and there’s not much else to say. There’s a bunch of blue apes and it’s a musical. There’s also a scene where I was somewhat concerned for the safety of the actor in a giant animal suit who seemed to really be struggling in the water. Fingers crossed that guy didn’t drown.

I saw this movie at Weird Wednesday at the Alamo Drafthouse, and for all its unusual elements, it’s not that weird. It’s just a fun adventure movie aimed at children. There’s some interesting lore (as the kids say) behind it regarding the production company and the director but onscreen, it’s just a romp. Alligator pirates, British-inspired monkeys, beautiful tropical locations, and yes, good songs. It might be aimed at kids but anyone can enjoy this whacky one. Trust me, I’m elderly and I loved it.

4. The Wolf House (2018, dir. Joaquín Cociña, Cristóbal León)

Stop motion animation might actually be my favorite thing in the world. Sorry dear friends, tired-of-this-shit family members, and my cat: you guys can all come in second or whatever.

The Wolf House is presented as a fairy tale (and also as a propaganda film) about a girl named Maria who vanishes into the woods rather than face punishment for her crimes. She finds a house inhabited by two pigs who allow her to stay with them. The house itself changes around her according to her moods and desires. The pigs slowly turn into humans and become more hostile towards Maria as the supplies in their home dwindle. Meanwhile, a wolf that Maria narrowly escaped is still lurking outside in the woods.

The animation in this film is crinkly and unkempt in a wonderful way. It reminded me of the old illustrations from Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Those evoked a world that was always dripping, leaking, pulling apart at its inky seams. The Wolf House is similar in that it looks like a world being held together by glue and sticky tack, vulnerable to everything and easily reshaping itself into what it needs to be. There’s a chilling moment at the end of the wolf addressing the audience and an ever present layer of sounds to make your skin crawl. A creepier movie than I expected to see and I loved it.

3. Singapore Sling (1990, dir. Nikos Nikolaidis)

Speaking of a world that reminded me of those Scary Stories illustrations! This movie has to be one of the wettest, sloppiest worlds ever put on celluloid. I’d say the grossest aspect of this film was just how leaky everything and everyone looked. Oh, and also all the incest and casual intenstine-groping. You heard me.

Another one I already covered so for a fuller picture check out my I Watched It So You Don’t Have To article on Singapore Sling. I am truly appreciative of the theaters near me that are willing to show stuff like this, Don’t Expect Too Much…, She is Conann etc. Being able to see some of the wackiest shit this side of the David Lynch is a privilege I do not take for granted.

2. Dune: Part Two (2024, dir. Denis Villeneuve)

See? I watch mainstream stuff. Timothy Chalamet’s in it and I saw it. I’m so basic.

Do I need to go deep into the second part of Dune and how I loved it? And why I loved it and how the worm riding scenes kind of made me tear up because of how amazing they looked? I do not. My love of Dune is well documented throughout the site so feel free to check out my Unwatchable Films and Unfilmable Books article or 2021’s Best Of where Dune made number one despite some real stiff competition.

1. The Substance (2024, dir. Coralie Fargeat)

Speaking of being basic, here’s me being the most basic bitch I could possibly be. Like every other gay man and paralyzingly vain woman, I loved the hell out of The Substance. I watched it, giddy in my body-horror glee, while sucking down two margaritas that I had budgeted into my daily calorie count. Yes, I’m one of those and no, I don’t care what you think about counting calories.

Jenna and I discussed this movie in our podcast so you can listen to that for all my neurosis and insecurities. The Substance is perfectly grotesque and spoke to so many people who have the drive to be their best selves but also know how impossible that might be. There’s been a pendulum swing back and forth the past few years of the general public musing on accepting and making peace with one’s flaws, and I thought The Substance fit nicely into this dialogue. Striving to be better without taking stock of how far you’ve come or how well you’re doing can drive a person crazy but for some of us, our ambition is steering the ship on this. Just shrugging off areas where we feel we fall short is not an option. If you listen to the podcast, you can hear me explain why I prefer to be this way than the other way.

Overall, a solid movie watchin’ year. Here’s to the viewing pleasures of 2025. Maybe they be weird, wonderful, and just a little too gory for good taste.