Epigram’s Top 10 Films of 2024

By Featured Film and TV Writers and Curated By Max Bradley-Cole, Film and TV Editor

As 2024 draws to a close, Epigram’s Film and TV section has polled its writers to determine the very best movies of the year.

Here at Epigram, we believe that there is no such thing as a ‘bad year’ for film, although it is clear that this hasn’t been an ‘easy year’ for film either. Marked by the horrors of AI, recovery from the rightly deserved SAG-AFTRA strikes, corporate execs’ relentless push for reboots and sequels (no matter how poorly done), and filmmakers braving the wilds of incessant censorship, 2024 has not been smooth sailing for cinema. Yet, despite these setbacks, we are overjoyed to see so many artists remain steadfast and continue to create some seriously amazing films.

So, grab some popcorn or other movie-going snack and prepare to be guided through this year in cinema. (We’ll also tell you where you can catch these films!)

10. La Chimera (Dir. Alice Rohrwacher)

La Chimera is a period drama set in Italy in the 1980s. It follows British looter, Arthur, as he becomes mired in an international network of stolen artefacts from the ancient Etruscan civilisation.

From Arthur Wills
"La Chimera is Josh O’Connor’s less-recognised feature of this summer. Modestly working its magic, the film has a quiet, seductive energy that transports the audience to the enchanting time and place of 1980s Italy. It is impossible to resist the allure of Director Alice Rohrwacher's craft. With O'Connor, as the conflicted protagonist Arthur, flexing his Italian language muscles, and engaging with his sixth sense, the actor is not only able to tap into the tomb-based underworld, but to seemingly sniff out arthouse gold."

You can watch La Chimera on MUBI

9. Kneecap (Dir. Rich Peppiatt)

Kneecap follows the rise of Kneecap, a hip-hop trio from Belfast. Rapping in their native language, the trio, played by their real-life selves, overcome the forces of the police, paramilitaries, and politicians, who are consistently trying to silence them and their new sound.

From Nina Curmi
"This was an incredible film! I had no idea they were playing themselves until after me and my friends had left the cinema and looked it up. We genuinely thought they were professional actors. Kneecap is such a crazy and rambunctious story that truly shows the power of music in society. I can't remember the last time I cackled as much at a film as I did in this screening. The joy in this film was infectious, to the point that people even clapped at the end. I'm pretty sure it will definitely bag an Oscar nom for Best International Feature Film!"

You can watch Kneecap on Amazon Prime Video

8. The Zone of Interest (Dir. Jonathan Glazer)

The Zone of Interest, loosely based on Martin Amis' 2014 novel of the same name, focuses on the life of Auschwitz Commandant Rudolf Höss, his wife and his family, as they go about their daily lives in their family home next to the concentration camp.

From Nel Roden, Features Editor
"A truly chilling watch, incredible cinematography that is harrowingly subtle and understated. Probably one of the most hard-hitting holocaust films I’ve ever watched."

You can watch The Zone of Interest on Amazon Prime Video

7. The Holdovers (Dir. Alexander Payne)

The Holdovers follows a curmudgeonly (such a great word) classics teacher Paul Giamatti, at a boarding school in New England. Paul is to look after a group of students that are unable to go home over the Christmas Break and whilst doing so, he develops an unexpected bond with mischief-maker Angus, and school cook Mary.

From Meadow Wattret, Film and TV Deputy Editor
"Technically, this film emerged in October of 2023 for its US Christmas theatrical release, however in the UK this festive treat tugged at my heartstrings in the February of 2024. The Holdovers is so 70s and just so good. With the retro-style title cards, a Labi Siffre folk song serenading the closing credits, and the wonderful acting, (with Da'Vine Joy Randolph nabbing the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress) this film is a love-letter to character-driven dramedy. It's wonderfully bitter-sweet, with the quintessential Alexander Payne funky-outcast-archetypes, balanced by his beautiful, personal, directing."

You can watch The Holdovers on NowTV or purchase it on any digital platform.

6. The Apprentice (Dir. Ali Abbasi)

The Apprentice, is a biographical film set in 70s to 80s New York City that follows Donald Trump's journey as a real estate tycoon and his relationship with attorney and unofficial mentor Roy Cohn.

From Maisie MacDonald, Third Year Geography
"With absolutely captivating performances, the sliminess of each character seeps out of the screen, particularly Jeremy Strong's portrayal of Roy Cohn. This film might (will) make you worry about the future of the world!"

You can watch the Apprentice by buying or renting on any digital platform.

5. The Substance (Dir. Carolie Fargeat)

The Substance is a fucked-up horror film, that follows dwindling star Elisabeth Sparkle, who after being fired by her producer because of her age (she is only 50!), resorts to a black market drug that grows a younger, sexier version of herself that emerges from her body. The only rule, they must switch their conscience every 7 days, or suffer revolting consequences.

From Max Bradley-Cole, Film and TV Editor
"Stomach-turning, nauseating, and hilariously absurd. The Substance is such a visceral film, it is shot like a lipstick advert on crack. The sound is insane, I felt like my head was being wrapped in latex and slammed against the wall. And don't get me started on Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley's performance, dedication is an understatement. To round off, I return to my favourite Letterboxd review 'Mama, a girl inside of you.' I am delightfully horrified."

You can watch The Substance on MUBI

4. Anora (Dir. Sean Baker)

The film follows Anora, who would much rather be called Ani, through her whirlwind romance with the Russian Oligarch heir, Ivan. After an impulsive marriage between the two, their romantic world begins to fall apart as the news of their nuptials reaches Russia.

By Abbie Holmes, Second Year English
"Anora might just be Sean Baker’s ticket into the big leagues, and for good reason. The film is a refreshing take on sex work and the ‘sad girl narrative’ typical of Baker’s filmography. Mikey Madison is a total powerhouse, and paired with Mark Eydelshteyn’s endearing performance, Anora is a story that will no doubt make you laugh and cry."

Anora is still in select cinemas

3. Dune: Part Two (Dir. Denis Villeneuve)

I'd be shocked if you didn't know about Dune, and to try and summarise it succinctly is a bit of a challenge. But long story short, in Dune: Part Two, we re-join Paul Atreides as he unites with the Fremen, the native population of the planet Arrakis, to carve a warpath of revenge against House Harkonnen, who killed his family and seized control of the planet's spice production, the magical drug that allows for space travel. Definitely cut a few corners but I think that's about right.

From Felix Glanville, Second Year History
"A beautiful film in every way, with the most amazing performances from the GOAT Timmy C, Austin Butler, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya. These are perfectly complimented by the incredible cinematography of Greig Fraser and Hanz Zimmer’s unbeatable score. People will look back on this in a few years and realise that this is a film that set the standard. The entirety of the arena scene is beautifully scary and awe inspiring, the level of scale in the film really is the epitome of the movie experience."

You can watch Dune: Part Two on NowTV or purchase it on any digital platform.

2. Wicked (Dir. Jon M. Chu)

If you haven't seen Wicked yet, or any of its accompanying memes, (let's hold space for this guys) I would be shocked. But for those who haven't Wicked is essentially a fanfiction of the Wizard of Oz. We follow Elphaba (The Wicked Witch of the West), and Galinda (The Good Witch of the North) as they attend Shiz university and build an unlikely friendship. It weaves a beautiful backstory to the events that occur in the 1939 film, and its packed with some absolute tunes.

From Beth Nugent
"The production design for this movie has set the standard for future films. Forgoing large amounts of CGI and green screen for practical sets has made a statement that it clearly pays to build a 52ft set to place your film in. The grandness of this production and how much care and thought went into it on an $145 million budget, has instilled hope in me that not every movie needs to waste some $350 million on bad CGI. Cough cough… Avengers Endgame."

Wicked is still in cinemas!

1. Challengers (Dir. Luca Gaudagnino)

We've made it to NUMBER ONE! Challengers is undeniably the sexiest film of the year, following Tashi Duncan, Art Donaldson, and Patrick Zweig in a love triangle of epic proportions. However, all of there tension, chemistry, and sweat is never seen in the bedroom, it is instead saves for the court. I would like to quote from the magical pen of Stevie Wonder, All is fair in love and ~~war~~ tennis.

From Leah Matthews, Third Year Classical Studies
"Sexy, moreish, addictive, exciting, beautiful, clever. I could watch this film every day and not get bored- is there a bigger compliment than that?"

From Harry Gillingham
"Challengers is an intimate, magnetic, sweat inducing encapsulation of relationships. It is a film that recognises relationships are a sprawling back and forth across a tennis court, trusting that someone will return the ball."

From Arthur Wills
"One of the best things about seeing a good film is when the hype around it is proved to be justified. In the case of Challengers, I felt it was like a well-oiled machine with every piece working at its best. The performances were incredible, the soundtrack was relentless, and the plot found its way through the runtime smoothly, like steam."

You can watch Challengers on Amazon Prime Video