Time to return to the screen: Movies you missed in 2024

2024 delivered a diverse cinematic landscape, with some hidden gems overshadowed by the year's biggest releases. This curated list highlights ten underrated films deserving of your attention.

Table of Contents

• Late Night with the Devil
• Bad Boys: Ride or Die
• Blink Twice
• Monkey Man
• The Beekeeper
• Trap
• Juror No. 2
• The Wild Robot
• It's What's Inside
• Kinds of Kindness
• Why Watch These Films?

Late Night with the Devil

This unique horror film, directed by Cameron and Colin Cairnes, draws inspiration from 1970s talk shows, creating a visually stunning and conceptually innovative experience. The story follows a struggling late-night host who, grappling with grief, stages an occult-themed episode with unforeseen consequences. The film transcends typical horror tropes, exploring themes of fear, mass psychology, and the manipulative power of media.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die

The fourth installment of the beloved Bad Boys franchise reunites Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett. This action-packed adventure sees the duo battling a formidable crime syndicate and navigating internal corruption within the Miami police department. The film maintains the series' signature blend of action, humor, and compelling character dynamics, fueling speculation about a fifth film.

Blink Twice

Zoë Kravitz's directorial debut, Blink Twice, is a psychological thriller starring Channing Tatum, Naomi Ackie, and Haley Joel Osment. The plot follows a waitress who infiltrates the world of a tech mogul, uncovering dangerous secrets in the process. While comparisons to real-life controversies have been made, the film stands on its own as a suspenseful and engaging narrative.

Monkey Man

Dev Patel's directorial debut and starring role in Monkey Man delivers a thrilling action story set against the backdrop of a fictional Indian city. Blending classic action sequences with social commentary, the film follows an underground fighter seeking revenge against corrupt leaders. Critics have lauded the film's blend of high-octane action and thought-provoking social themes.

The Beekeeper

Jason Statham stars in The Beekeeper, a high-stakes thriller written by Kurt Wimmer (Equilibrium). The film follows a former secret agent who is drawn back into the world of espionage after a friend's tragic suicide, linked to an online scam operation. Statham's commitment to performing many of his own stunts adds to the film's intensity.

Trap

M. Night Shyamalan delivers another suspenseful thriller, Trap, starring Josh Hartnett. The film centers on a firefighter who attends a concert with his daughter, only to discover the event is a carefully orchestrated trap to capture a dangerous criminal. Shyamalan's signature style shines through in the film's compelling narrative and atmospheric tension.

Juror No. 2

This legal thriller, starring Nicholas Hoult and directed by Clint Eastwood, follows an ordinary man who serves on a jury for a murder trial, only to realize his own involvement in the crime. The film explores themes of morality and justice as the juror faces a difficult moral dilemma.

The Wild Robot

This animated film, based on Peter Brown's novel, tells the story of Roz, a robot stranded on a deserted island. The film beautifully portrays Roz's journey of survival and integration into the island's ecosystem, highlighting the interplay between technology and nature. The film's stunning animation style is a notable highlight.

It's What's Inside

Greg Jardin's sci-fi thriller, It's What's Inside, blends comedy, mystery, and horror as a group of friends uses a consciousness-swapping device with unpredictable and dangerous results. The film explores themes of identity and relationships in the digital age.

Kinds of Kindness

Yorgos Lanthimos's triptych film, Kinds of Kindness, presents three interconnected stories exploring human relationships, morality, and the surreal aspects of everyday life. The film's unique style is characteristic of Lanthimos's previous works.

Why You Should Watch These Films

These films offer more than just entertainment; they provide thought-provoking narratives and unexpected twists, offering fresh perspectives on familiar themes and proving that cinematic gems can be found beyond the mainstream.