Exploring the Cinematic Highlights of 2024 So Far: From Blockbusters to Arthouse Gems. The Daily Eye #Newsdesk reports.

The first half of 2024 has seen a diverse array of films capturing the audience's imagination. Despite some surprising box office flops, the year has been notable for its range of mainstream hits and arthouse triumphs. Here’s a closer look at some of the standout movies of the year, offering compelling reasons to see the cinema.

In 2024, the film industry has experienced a remarkable blend of successes and surprises. Major movies like "The Zone of Interest" and "Inside Out 2" have captivated audiences with their unique narratives and compelling performances. Despite initial concerns over low audience turnout for some big names, the year has seen improvements in studio fortunes, driven by successful kids' movies and much-anticipated sequels. Come explore the best movies of 2024 so far and discover why this year is shaping up to be exceptional for cinema lovers worldwide.   

THE ZONE OF INTEREST

Jonathan Glazer’s Holocaust masterpiece offers a radical perspective on the banality of evil through the domestic life of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss and his wife, played by Christian Friedel and Sandra Hüller. The film's soundscape, designed by Johnnie Burn, juxtaposes everyday activities with the distant sounds of the camp’s horrors, creating an immersive and haunting experience. This innovative approach makes "The Zone of Interest" a contemporary reflection on historical atrocities.

POOR THINGS

Yorgos Lanthimos’s adaptation of Alasdair Gray’s novel features Emma Stone in a Victorian Frankenstein story. The film, known for its bold and lopsided vision, garnered 11 Oscar nominations for its unique take on the human experience. Emma Stone's magnetic performance as a lusty version of Frankenstein’s monster, combined with Lanthimos’s distinct directorial style, makes "Poor Things" a provocative and unforgettable cinematic experience. It's a film that challenges and intrigues in equal measure.

HITMAN

Richard Linklater’s comedy-thriller stars Glen Powell as a professor impersonating assassins for the police. The film’s entertaining plot and Powell’s charismatic performance make it a must-watch, despite its limited cinema release. Powell’s character’s moral quandaries are further complicated by his encounter with Adria Arjona’s character, an abused wife and would-be murderess. This dynamic adds layers of intrigue and dark humor to the story, making "Hitman" a standout film of 2024.

ALL OF US STRANGERS

Andrew Haigh’s ghostly love story follows a screenwriter’s emotional journey, featuring Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal. Shot in Haigh’s childhood home, the film explores themes of connection and loneliness with personal and universal resonance. The interactions between Scott’s character and his mysterious neighbor, played by Mescal, and the visits to his childhood home, where his parents await, provide a deeply moving narrative that explores the complexities of human relationships and the haunting nature of memory.

GREEN BORDER

Agnieszka Holland’s powerful film addresses the refugee crisis, depicting the plight of Syrians, Africans, and Afghans between Belarus and Poland. The film offers a humanist perspective on contemporary issues, highlighting hope amidst adversity. Holland’s unflinching portrayal of the refugees’ suffering, coupled with the compassionate depiction of younger Europeans who reject the inhumanity of their elders, makes "Green Border" a poignant and necessary film that resonates deeply in today’s political climate.