Three 2024 Movies Worth Watching
These three films, that were released to streaming in the later half of 2024, are drastically different from one another. But, they are all worthwhile watches depending on the sort of movie you’re in the mood for.
My Old Ass (2024)
Amazon MGM Studios, 89 minutes
If there were an award for the worst titled film of the year, the hands-down winner would be writer-director Megan Park’s My Old Ass, which is currently streaming on Amazon. One might think that an Amazon R-rated comedy with such a title would be a crass, Seth Rogen-stoner-type movie, but that couldn’t be further from what this film actually is. Because My Old Ass is actually a heartfelt, well-made coming-of-age story centering on an 18-year-old young woman named Elliot who’s about to leave home.
The twist of the story is that Elliot meets her 39-year-old self after a mushroom trip, and then begins to receive advice from the older version of herself. Maisy Stella stars as 18-year-old Elliot, and, in her first feature film role, she really does a fantastic job. Her character doesn’t feel cliché and seems more like an actual person than most movie teens.
The rest of the cast, which notably includes Aubrey Plaza as the older Elliot, also deliver quality, believable performances. As a whole, My Old Ass, which is only Park’s second film, has a lot of heart. There are some comedic moments too, but this is definitely more of a drama.
If you’re in the mood for a coming-of-age drama, this is the best one in recent memory. It’s also not overlong, which is a rarity for films these days. Just ignore the silly title and give this movie a try.
Grade: 8/10
Smile 2 (2024)
Paramount Pictures, 129 minutes
I was a fan of 2022’s Smile, a film that was more frighting and actually better quality-wise than I expected it would be. Is the movie basically a more violent, less “prestige horror” sort of version of It Follows? Sure, it is. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a worthwhile watch for horror fans.
Smile 2 is a movie that I’m not so sure we really needed, but that does deliver on what fans of the first film would want in a sequel. It ups the stakes in more ways than one. Smile 2 is more violent than the original. Also, our protagonist is an uber famous pop singer on the verge of her big comeback – she’s not just an ordinary person, like the doctor we followed in the first Smile.
This works against the movie in a way though. While Naomi Scott is very believable as Skye Riley, we’re not watching someone as likeable or relatable as the characters we followed in the first movie. I didn’t dislike the pop star character, but I definitely wasn’t rooting for her the way you’d want to root for a horror movie heroine to survive. It’s more just that the film is entertaining enough that you’re curious what will happen, but the emotional connection stakes aren’t there.
It's hard for a movie (particularly a horror one) to be superior to the original and Smile 2 is clearly an inferior version of Smile. Still, if you watch Smile and really want to know what happens after the events of that film, sure, check this one out. It’s not bad by any means. It’s entertaining and totally fine. I just would’ve rather seen Parker Finn, the writer-director of the two films, try his hand at an entirely different story.
Grade: 6.5/10
Conclave (2024)
Focus Features, 120 minutes
Conclave, as the title suggests, focuses on the papal conclave that’ll determine the new pope. Despite not having action sequences in the traditional sense, the film falls more into the thriller genre than any other. There are also definitely some mystery elements, both concerning what’s going on with different cardinals, as well as who’ll ultimately be chosen as the new pope.
I’m not sure how this movie is rated PG. Sure, there’s no violence or anything outwardly objectionable visually, but the story itself is a complex one. I’m not sure younger viewers would be sure to follow what’s going on in Conclave.
In a lot of ways, Conclave feels almost like it could’ve been a play. As with many plays, it’s the performances that really make it great. That’s certainly not to say that the movie isn’t without some really fantastic shots though – this is a superbly filmed movie, and the cinematography definitely deserves praise.
Still, it’s the acting here that’s the movie’s greatest strength. Conclave boasts an impressive cast, with everyone delivering outstanding performances. Ralph Fiennes plays Cardinal-Dean Lawrence and shows off that he’s one of the better, classically trained actors of present day.
Does the story get a little bit unbelievable at times? Sure. I’d wager this is a bit more exciting than an actual papal conclave, but the movie never doesn’t work for me. For anyone wishing to watch a quality movie with some first-rate acting, I’d recommend Conclave.
Grade: 8/10