The Five A24 Films You Never Knew You Needed
5. For when you’re in the mood for something but just don’t know what: Good Time
At this point, everyone has heard of the Safdie Brothers’ film, “Uncut Gems,” with Adam Sandler, but have you heard of “Good Time”? Both with the signature vibrant, jewel-tone colors and anxiety-inducing moments of a Safdie film, “Good Time” tells the story of Connie (Robert Pattinson), who is a bank robber attempting to free his brother, Nick, from the hospital after getting in a fight while in prison. Nick is played by Benny Safdie, part one of two of the Safdie brother duo. Paired with the soundtrack composed by Oneohtrix Point Never–who also composed the soundtrack for “Uncut Gems” under his real name, Daniel Lopatin–this film is a high-intensity roller coaster offset by some heartfelt moments sprinkled in.
Streaming availability: Netflix
4. For when you’re in the mood for a documentary: AMY
Only 27 years old when she died, Amy Winehouse was an award-winning vocal powerhouse that brought songs like Valerie, Rehab, Back to Black, Love Is a Losing Game, and Tears Dry On Their Own to the world. Almost always in a beehive hairstyle, the young singer’s life is shown through personal interviews and home videos, which delve into what was going on behind the scenes… or, stage.
Streaming availability: Showtime
3. For when you’re in the mood for a horror flick… but you’re not quite ready for Hereditary: Slice
When you hear that “Slice” tells the story of unsolved pizza delivery boy murders and that the pizza parlor that they work at just so happens to be sitting atop the gateway to hell, you may not know where the story could possibly go… or how it even became a movie. But with the likes of Paul Scheer, Chris Parnell, Zazie Beetz, Hannibal Buress, and Joe Keery (AKA Steve Harrington from “Stranger Things”)gracing the screen, Slice mixes the genres of horror and comedy very well. With ghosts, murders, a werewolf, and a coven of witches, it sounds like you might need to sleep with the lights on, but I promise that it’s not on the same level of disturbing as the incredible “The Witch” directed by Robert Eggers. It has enough laughs and absurdity for the comedic elements to tie with its jump-scares.
Streaming availability: Showtime
2. For when you want to feel young and free and inspired: 20th Century Women
In 1979 Santa Barbara, California, single mom Dorothea (Annette Bening) and her son, Jamie (Lucas Jade Zumann), rent out rooms in their house to their friends that slowly become like family. The next-door neighbor, Julie (Elle Fanning); the Fuschia-haired artist and one of the tenants of the home, Abbie (Greta Gerwig); and the handyman on the property, William (Billy Crudup), all play a role in Jamie’s upbringing. Growing pains, 70s music and fashion, first loves, broken homes, and chosen family all make up this timeless period film.
Streaming availability: Netflix
1. For when you just want to watch an incredible movie: Waves
Imagine having Animal Collective, Tame Impala, and Frank Ocean playing after the other in the background at the exact right moments, impeccable use of color, and mind-blowing performances from Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Sterling K. Brown as a father-son duo. No need to imagine, because Brown and Harrison, along with Lucas Hedges and the up-and-coming Taylor Russel star in “Waves,” Trey Edward Shults’ best drama yet. Harrison’s character, Tyler, struggles to manage the responsibilities he has as a normal teen in addition to the pressure he feels from his family, his wrestling team, his girlfriend, and the upcoming possibilities of what his life will look like after high school, so he copes in the only way he knows how. However, he finds out quickly that his decisions affect not only him but those around him.
Streaming availability: Showtime
These are the (semi) hidden A24 gems that I swear by. But why take my word for it? Go ahead and watch them yourself.