Top Films of 2024 – The Cream of the Crop

Posted on by Grimoire of Horror

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It’s that special time of year when we get to take a look over some of our favourite films that we reviewed this year. So join us as we cast our mind’s eye back at some of the Top films of 2024. Links to all the articles can be found in the titles

List:

The Zone of Interest

As The Zone of Interest develops, the protagonists could be seen to suffer some side effects at having normalised the obscene situation. The visiting mother-in-law leaves unannounced, having witnessed the furnace’s nocturnal activity, and Hedwig Hoss, played by Sandra Huller, lets slip a dark threat that reveals her full knowledge of the camp’s activities. Even Rudolf, suffering some internal malady, pauses during his descent of a darkened staircase while the viewer is shown artifacts, displayed at the modern-day Auschwitz Museum, being moped, and wiped by cleaning staff. We’re left to ponder if his physical sickness might be in some way due to his actions, and how, possibly, Hoss might somehow grasp some concept of what he is a part of, and what his actions will ultimately achieve. – Paul

Idiot Boy

Idiot Boy (2023) Hope

An impeccably built character study of crimes lingering effect on a community, Idiot Boy is a hauntingly pragmatic glimpse into a society accustomely numb to being abandoned by the rest of the world. Whilst not an outright horror, the film has a graspable, dark atmosphere that is genuinely creepy at times. Yet with the slight inclusion of black humour and a handful of laugh-out-loud moments, the film unquestionably sits in the middle of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks and Harmony Korine’s Gummo. Though its visual design and unhurried pace may be off-putting to some, those with an interest in the two examples above or experimental cinema in general, are sure to get the most out of this uniquely compelling piece of film. – Jim

Late Night with The Devil

An outstanding example of nostalgic perfection, Late Night with The Devil is a meticulous recreation of the visually distinct era of 1970s television as well as the overwhelming panic at the moral degradation of society. With its incredibly compelling story, amazing performances, and top-notch special effects, the film is an incredibly thrilling plunge into the supernatural that’s sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats until the credits. – Jim

Sting

Sting

Sting is destined to become a cult classic. It’s a high-quality film with solid characters and a terrifying monster. It’s also relatable to most viewers in 2024, because so many of us have dealt with the heartbreak and healing after a family is broken/rebuilt, caring for senior parents, living in housing that always seems to need fixing, and feeling like we just don’t have enough time to do it all. Relationships take work, and misunderstandings can breed horror. Sting reminds us to step back and pay attention to the efforts others are making before taking things personally and overreacting. It’s not all seriousness, though. Although not billed as a comedy horror, there are plenty of laughs along the way, especially when Frank the Exterminator is in the scene. Humour is also used in the soundtrack, with apropos lyrics playing behind scenes in a tongue-in-cheek fashion. The comedy and horror are well-balanced and satisfying.  – Kate

Mind Body Spirit

Mind Body Spirit film review

Mind Body Spirit is not wholly unique in the found-footage genre, but it delivers everything fans will be looking for, especially those who appreciate a comedic edge. A highlight of The Unnamed Footage Festival, it should not be missed. – Adam

Do Not Watch

Captivating and mystifying, Do Not Watch’s drip-feeding of information undoubtedly inveigles the audience to become lost in its abstruse plot. With a deft intertwining of three unparalleled stories, wonderful performances from the entire cast, and a unique mix of cinegraphic styles, you should certainly ignore the film’s title and have a watch if you get the chance. – Jim

Flesh Games

Unnamed Found Footage Festival is an amazing source for pushing the boundaries of the found footage genre, and Flesh Game fits in perfectly with the line-up. – Adam

Nias

Nias (2024)

While Nias (2024) is only an hour long, and it should be that long only because the director has given so much already. Prolonging it would only make it fall under those found footage films that waste time prolonging a plot that does not actually deliver in the end. If Baptiste Rambaud can tell so much in such a short period, what else could he do with more time? – Dominic

Moor

The original ending that plays before the credits is somewhat of a letdown after the explosive climax, and leaves the audience with more questions than answers. Perhaps to remedy this, there is an additional 10-minute scene part way through the credits that seems like an attempt at tying up loose ends but feels more like a rushed bandage fix inserted to appease critics.  Despite this, The Moor is one of the best atmospheric horrors to come out of the UK in years. It was released in UK theatres on June 14th, and is coming to digital on July 1 via Bulldog Film Distribution. – Kate

Best Wishes to All

An idiosyncratic piece of J-Horror cinema, Best Wishes to All is certainly a distinctive and stylish entry to the genre. With its atypical exploration of the quintessential aspects of this type of film, brilliant use of the score, and congenial performances from the entire cast, director Yuta Shimotsu displays an acute knowledge of creating an unhurried narrative of rising tension. – Jim

The J-Horror Virus

Indeed, this documentary’s framing and pacing might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Still, it is undeniably an archival gem for Western horror fans, especially those who love J-Horror. For someone wanting to conduct serious research on the topic without advanced knowledge of Japanese, relying solely on easily machine-translated materials like news articles can be limiting. Listening to these filmmakers directly is a privilege we shouldn’t take for granted. Appleton and Sharp had enviable access to these great figures and made the most of it. They asked the right questions and explored topics the average J-Horror fan would want to know about but never had the chance to ask. – Javi

In A Violent Nature

Writer/director Chris Nash’s first feature-length film, In A Violent Nature, sets the bar high for future slashers who want to be taken seriously. It’s more than Jason Vorhees, and it’s more than arthouse. In A Violent Nature is an utterly disturbing glimpse into the methodical patience and psychopathy of a supernatural being exacting his revenge, from his perspective. He shows no emotion, he never speaks, and he never breaks his stride. We dare you to watch it with the lights off, just like you did as a kid at sleepovers watching the Friday the 13th series, and experience the difference in Nash’s film. We guarantee you won’t be going camping anytime soon, and you’ll leave treasures found in the forest where they lie. – Kate

Crumb Catcher

John Speredakos in Crumb Catcher

Crumb Catcher takes a chaotic and absurd scenario and makes it work; for fans of humor and horror built solely off of character development, the movie is a true treat. Still, the dark comedy does lean toward appealing to the cinematic masochistic; myself a fan of the comedy of directors like Harmony Korrine, Jon Moritsugu, and Quinten Dupieux. For me, it was a near-perfect film in every aspect, with a few niggles keeping me from giving it a perfect score. Still, Crumb Catcher is a must-watch for fans of bizarre cinema, with its ability to evoke the same discomfort as a horror movie furthering appeal to those who seek out uniquely intense viewing experiences. – Adam

Fright

A celebration of the classic design of horror cinema from yesteryear, Fright is an astounding example of the expert building and implementation of atmospheric tension to create a charming narrative chock-full of unexpected twists and turns. With its claustrophobic environment, amazing performances from the entire cast, and admirable attention to detail, fans of an older structure of established horror are sure to get the most out of this love letter to a more traditional horror formula relatively missing from more recent titles. – Jim

Baby Assassins: Nice Days

By far one of the best action films of the year, Baby Assassins: Nice Days is an exhilarating escapade of meticulously crafted combat and sets an incredibly high bar for the next (if any) entry in the series. While its elements of buddy comedy and character development are still an important part of the narrative, Saksmoto’s shift in focus to a more combat-heavy portrayal unequivocally elevates the series from a micro-budget love letter to reside with the likes of some of the best of the genre. – Jim

Apartment 7A

Julia Garner in Apartment 7A

All things considered, Apartment 7A is so stunningly well constructed and executed that these few complaints only keep it falling short of perfection. It is a must-watch movie, one of the best horror films of 2024, and a testament to the skill of Natalie Erika James; horror fans need to keep an eye on anything she attaches her name to. – Adam

Ghost Killer

Takaish Akari in Ghost Killer

A thrilling mix of ethereal entanglement and gripping revenge thriller, Ghost Killer is certainly unorthodox yet magnificent in its fast-paced delivery. With impeccable performances from the entire cast, exhilarating action sequences, and sleek visuals, the film is an adventitious conglomeration of highly skilled individuals with a clear passion for the genre and a distinct artistic vision with a unique twist on the genre. – Jim

The Shade

The Shade

The Shade is an emotional journey through loss, terror, and feeling like you’re losing your mind. Please watch it if you feel safe to do so. Suicide may be the greatest horror anyone can experience, whether you’ve lost someone this way or survived it yourself. On a personal note, I’d like to thank the creators for telling this story, in this way. I feel seen. – Kate

All This Time

With exceptional performances, stunning visuals, skillfully mysterious narrative, and stunning visuals, All This Time is certainly a film to look out for upon release. Rob’s expert direction and extraordinary visuals from cinematographer Jordan Lee equate to an engrossing horror that will keep audiences guessing until the end credits. – Jim

The Stickman’s Hollow

A tremendously unfeigned piece of found footage, The Stickman’s Hollow relays an astute verisimilitude that continues to its very end. With a compelling, overarching narrative, fantastic performances, and great camerawork, the film is sure to entice fans of the genre with its masterful representation of why found footage is so effective in horror. – Jim

Lake Jesup

Enjoyably dumb fun from beginning to end, Lake Jesup not only pokes fun at the stereotypes of creature features but throws a few of its own into the mix. With an outstanding cast of memorable characters, non-stop hilarity, and an appropriate level of special effects,  the film is an enjoyable exaggerated escapade in everyday Florida. If you’re looking for a less self-aware horror comedy, you should certainly take a trip down to Lake Jesup! – Jim

Kill Your Lover

A hauntingly relatable tale of toxic partnership, Kill Your Lover certainly exceeds this reliability with its visceral depiction of body horror. With amazing effects, stunning cinematography, and outstanding performances from the cast, Kill Your Lover certainly provides the very best of both worlds with its blending of genres into a rollercoaster of degradation of interpersonal relations. – Jim

Mr. Crocket

Mr. Crocket's World!

Demented fun for all the family, Mr.Crocket is a distinctive blend of The Ring and children’s public access TV that’s sure to stay with audiences long after the TV has been switched off. With incredible performances from its cast, enchanting effects, and developing visuals, the film is a remarkably unique take on nostalgic horror and is sure to entice those of a certain age who remember these shows with a certain level of underlying fear. – Jim

An Taibhse

A masterful exercise in dread and atmosphere with a refreshing spin on the classic ghost story, John Farrelly’s An Taibhse is definitely one of the scariest films of the year and a must-see for fans of Supernatural horror. – Jayson

Girl Internet Show: A Kati Kelli Mixtape

Title card for Girl Internet Show a Katy Kelli Mix Tape

Jane Schoenbrun and Jordan Wippell, who put together Girl Internet Show: A Kati Kelli Mixtape, have not only done a wonderful service to the memory of the incredibly talented YouTube creator but have created a time capsule to the glory days of the internet where individuality could thrive. Anyone interested in the internet culture of the 2010s must absolutely check out Girl Internet Show: A Kati Kelli Mixtape. – Adam

We’re Not Here to Fuck Spiders

A chaotic mix of drugs and violence, We’re Not Here to Fuck Spiders is a challenging but rewarding addition to the found footage genre, effectively balancing on the edge of extreme cinema with its starkly brutal portrayal. Featuring outstanding performances from the entire cast, a captivating storyline, and an undeniable sense of realism, the film takes the audience on a wild journey of highs and lows that immerses them in the dark realities many encounter in everyday life. – Jim

Phallacies

An outrageous collection of some of the most controversial shorts ever made, Phallacies is a bold and unapologetic look at one of censorship’s biggest fears. With its unbridled exploration of taboo subjects, the tentative blending of creative innovation, and the embrace of atypical structure; the film is a diverse assemblage of some of the best underground filmmakers around. Although, as with any anthology, certain shorts will undoubtedly resonate with some audiences more than others. However, those with a taste for the extreme (and a hunger for dick) are sure to get the most out of this figurative middle finger to the suppression of art. – Jim

MadS

MadS is, after all, a horror film that focuses on the drug-blurred experiences of three teenagers, whose evening plans happen to coincide with a humanity-ending viral outbreak. The performances are surprisingly good and suitably realistic, convincingly portraying the gradual shift from stoned reveler, desperate for help, to blood-crazed infected, added to by the single take direction which makes MadS feel as though it could find a home alongside Found footage features, documenting the early stages of a zombie plague or outbreak of a civilisation ending contagion. Because of its engaging camera work and original attempts at reworking an all too often-tired horror trope, I can forgive its elements of forced contrivance, required to push the story along, the unnecessary teen dramatics, and its attempts at explaining the rules of this particular infection to try and make it stand apart from your basic feral cannibalism. This is a pleasing and far more entertaining addition to the infected genre than it really has any right to be. A great little hidden gem that’s well worth checking out. – Paul

Smile 2

Bigger, bolder, and bloodier, this is one of those rare sequels that promises and ultimately delivers. – Jayson

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