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Here are the most underrated movies of 2024
Last year was a big one for movies. Here are some you might have not heard about and must add to your watch list.
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There are a ton of TV shows in the midst of great seasons right now. “Severance” just wrapped up its second season, “The Pitt” and “The White Lotus” are headed toward their finales, and “Adolescence” is holding steady as Netflix’s most-watched show.
I plan to devote multiple editions of this newsletter to chronicling the very best of these in the coming weeks – just as soon as I fully catch up on a few more of these buzz-worthy shows.
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But for this week’s edition of The Queue, I am closing the book on 2024 in film.
Four movies you may have missed
Because my life descends into chaos without organization, each year I meticulously track all of the new movies I’ve watched on a spreadsheet. One day before the Oscars, I rank them all. If you’re curious, you can see my ranking of all 110 new releases I saw last year, from the best (“The Brutalist”) to the worst (“Argylle”) over on Letterboxd.
While doing this, I realized there were a few movies I watched in 2024 that I really liked, but had not yet recommended in this newsletter or my weekly streaming guide. All of them are a bit strange, especially the last one, Conner O’Malley’s “Rap World.” They’re not for every taste, but I nevertheless give all four my wholehearted recommendation.
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“Problemista” (Max): Comedian Julio Torres wrote, directed, and starred in this surreal comedy about an immigrant toymaker (Torres) in New York City forced to work for an eccentric, delusional artist (Tilda Swinton) while navigating the impossible bureaucracy of visas and work permits that will let him stay in America.
“Better Man” (Paramount+): Finishing a distant third behind “Wicked” and “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” on the list of most popular 2024 movies starring CGI monkeys, “Better Man” managed to tell a harrowing tale of a singer (Robbie Williams) stuck in the pop music machine while also being a lot of fun to watch.
“Trap” (Netflix): M. Night Shyamalan’s latest frustrated a lot of viewers, but if you go into the film expecting a comedy instead of a horror-thriller, you may enjoy watching the machinations of a serial killer (Josh Hartnett) attempting to escape a sting while at a concert with his daughter.
“Rap World” (YouTube): Comedian Conner O’Malley, whose decade-long satirizing of small-town incels qualifies as performance art, attempts to record a hit rap album with his friends in one night. There’s humor in thirtysomethings chasing teenage dreams, and pathos in seeing the real-world impact of a lost generation of men.
The Massachusetts TV corner
Who knew there were so many locals reaching a national audience over the airwaves? After writing about “Survivor,” “The Traitors,” and “The Bachelor” in last week’s newsletter, here are three more updates on Massachusetts residents currently on TV.
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“The Voice” (Peacock): Two current students at Berklee College of Music met different fates on the latest episode of “The Voice.” Senior Bryson Battle, whose audition got the attention of all four judges earlier in the season, won his battle with a performance of Muni Long’s “Made for Me.” Songwriting major Naomi Soleil, who previously landed on Michael Bublé’s team with her rendition of “Stars” by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, lost her battle, and was sent home.
“The Bachelor” (Hulu): Newton woman Juliana Pasquarosa survived the Fantasy Suites episode of “The Bachelor” Season 29, meaning she is one of two suitors still vying for Grant Ellis’ heart in Monday’s season finale. Grant seemed to be leaning toward picking venture capitalist Litia Garr, 31 in the most recent episode, but Juliana, 28, still has an outside shot at securing the final rose.
“A Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read” (Max): The second Karen Read trial hasn’t officially started yet, but Investigation Discovery went ahead and made a docuseries about the heavily debated case anyway, which the Canton woman accused of murdering her boyfriend calls “my version of testifying.” My colleague Abby Patkin, who has covered the Read case from the very beginning, shared her thoughts on the first two episodes of the five-part series.
Play or Skip
Have a show you can’t stop watching? Email me about it at [email protected], and your recommendation may appear in a future edition of The Queue.
Press play on these new movies:
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“Anora” (Hulu): The Best Picture winner, which finally made its streaming debut this week, is a romcom from the red light district, a slapstick comedy in stilettos, and a white-knuckle road movie that never leaves the confines of the Five Boroughs, all rolled into one.
“Wicked” (Peacock): The most financially successful of the Best Picture nominees makes its streaming debut this week as well, with Peacock offering both the theatrical cut and a sing-along version, so you can annoy your upstairs neighbors instead of fellow theatergoers.
“Sing Sing” (Max): Based on the real-life arts rehabilitation program at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in New York, “Sing Sing” features a stirring performance from Clarence Maclin, who spent 17 years as a prisoner at Sing Sing (and participated in the theater program) before being cast in Greg Kwedar’s film.
But go ahead and skip this one:
“Kraven the Hunter” (Netflix): “Madame Web,” the other Sony Spider-Man Universe (SSU) movie released in 2024, was so bad that it was good. “Kraven the Hunter” is almost equally incoherent, but a lot less fun to watch.
End Credits
That’s a wrap on this edition of The Queue. If you’re a fan, please consider recommending this newsletter to your friends.
PS: Mara Wilson, best known for playing the title role in “Matilda,” wrote an illuminating and heartfelt remembrance for Vulture about her friend and fellow child actress Michelle Trachtenberg, who died in February at the age of 39. Give it a read, but prepare to get misty-eyed at your desk.
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Until next time, good stream hunting, everyone!
— Kevin
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