I’ve been lamenting to anyone who will listen to me that there are so few ‘dramatic punk’ films now, as compared to the audacious works of the 80s, 90s and naughts. We need more DOOM GENERATIONs! If anything, this list is a celebration of 2024 punk filmmaking because, fuck, we need punk films now more than ever.
So, barely in time for time for the Oscars, in no particular order are my favorite films of 2024:
DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS
I’m disappointed, but not surprised, that Ethan Coen’s latest was overlooked, if not intentionally ignored by most. Is it ramshackle? Yes, but that’s a feature — not a bug. It’s funny, propulsive, often surprising in acts of violence as well of acts of lust. This is an extremely horny, extremely queer road-trip criminal comedy of errors and an utter delight.
I SAW THE TV GLOW
I loved Jane Schoenbrun’s weird, wild head-trip that was WE’RE ALL GOING TO THE WORLD’S FAIR, so I expected her sophmore effort I SAW THE TV GLOW to be a shaggy creepypasta affair.
I SAW THE TV GLOW and it is a head-trip and, yes, facets of it can be considered creepypasta — the reliance on faux-90s TV shows to blend fictional horror with reality — it is mannered instead of shaggy. It’s an emotional character study that can mean so much to so many people but is, first and foremost, a uniquely trans allegory.
CHALLENGERS
Exactly the tense, sizzling, visually inventive sort of sports film you would expect from Luca Guadagnino as in: it’s not really about sports but power dynamics. Sexy power dynamics with the backdrop of sweat-covered tennis provide a rollercoaster of movement and emotions that is only slightly marred by the nausea-inducing closing game shot from the perspective of the tennis ball.
THE PEOPLE’S JOKER
Admittedly, I almost skipped catching when creator Vera Drew brought it to Chicago. In fact, in a first I warned my friend that I might have to remove myself and that they shouldn’t take it personally.
(If you’re wondering why I was concerned? I’ll just leave this here.)
Thankfully my concerns were unfounded and I was able to enjoy this absolutely unbridled mindfuck musing on identity. THE PEOPLE’S JOKER is punk from top-to-bottom, pop culture sharply loudly blended, then vomited into your eyes and ears. It’s a cacophony that resonates in a way that’ll be heard for years to come.
THE SUBSTANCE
Hard to think of an angrier punk film this year than this feminist body horror screed that recalls TETSUO: THE IRON MAN.
THE FALL GUY
Delightful fun. Great, well-lit stunts that aren’t just a muddy blur. Colors! Chemistry! Did I mention the stunts? This should have been the summer movie and I still don’t understand why it wasn’t, because you really missed out if you didn’t see it on the big screen.
NO OTHER LAND
I’m cheating a bit, as I saw this documentary in February but, as it’s self-distributed and I saw it in theaters as soon as possible, I will count it.
Watching Israel upend and destroy the homes of the Palestinian denizens of Masafer Yatta is devastating; footage that few in the US have seen, footage that is difficult to watch, footage that is almost unbelievable.
Worse is seeing the timestamps of the coverage: 2019-2023.
All I could think the entire time was:
“Fuck. This is just the beginning. It gets so worse.”
Honorable Mentions: BETTER MAN; I’M STILL HERE; LOVE LIES CRUSHING