To wrap up a great year at The Independent Picture House, we asked the cinema staff to tell us their favorite films of 2024. Their picks — ranging from a grimy, bloody classic from director Sam Peckinpah to a hypnotic sci-fi romance that spans centuries — reflect the eclectic, inspired fare you’ll find at IPH every day.
Flow: It was beautifully animated, tugged at my cat-lover heart and surprised me with its incredible storyline — no human voice needed!
— Caroline Bedenbaugh
Good One: Quiet, understated and really special.
A Different Man: There has not been a single day since seeing it when I haven’t sung I Wanna Get Next to You. Sebastian Stan and Adam Pearson have the juice.
— Riley Hamilton
Sometimes I Think About Dying: Daisy Ridley’s performance blew me away, and I loved the risks the film took. It effectively captured the mundaneness of everyday environments such as the office workplace.
Bring Me The Head of Alfredo Garcia: We had a great lineup of repertory films this year, but this one really stuck with me. I am a big Sam Peckinpah fan, so getting to see one of his films on the big screen was a dream come true. I almost fell out of my seat when Kris Kristofferson showed up, may he rest in peace.
— Ali Harris
Evil Does Not Exist: A baffling film that is an ode to, an observation of and a plea for nature. Filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi displays an unbelievable level of control, expanding the narrative through ellipsis into something grand, while maintaining a patience and intimacy that contains a mystery that never fully reveals itself. The most confidently made film in years.
The Beast: A film that risks becoming silly and ridiculous but is instead a sprawling, beautiful tale of the enduring, and possibly futile, human desire to search for love and intimacy in a system that offers suffering and emptiness. The scream that punctuates this film rivals the one in the climax of Brian De Palma’s Blow Out.
— Landon Huneycutt
Challengers: This film was an exhilarating watch with an incredible score and a new take on a toxic love triangle. Even when you’re not watching a tennis match in the film, you are still engrossed in the back-and-forth repartee of the characters and their power dynamics.
Oddity: I had the pleasure of watching this in the Microcinema with a packed and engaged audience. Even when you know the turn the movie is about to take, you’re still jumping out of your seat and screaming to the characters to survive!
— Claire Lechtenberg
Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color: A true homage to the original movie. Excellent retelling of the tragic consequences of humanity’s violent follies.
Kneecap: Irreverent, sometimes vulgar, frequently hilarious story about two Irish rappers trying to make it big, with a bit of heart and politics thrown in for spice.
— Michael McCauslin
Hundreds of Beavers: The most fun you will ever have in a cinema with strangers! The gags are constant, and the technical genius of this super-low-budget DIY film is a beacon of inspiration for filmmakers to go out there and make their film.
Green Border is a harrowing, bleak film that is emotional and direct in its pursuit of finding humanity in the darkest of situations. The film is not an easy watch, but it is hauntingly beautiful, with stunning cinematography and sound design, while at the same time being deeply dark and depressing. It will make you weep, get you angry and ultimately make you think.
— Jay Morong
Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person takes the top spot. Refreshingly funny and sweet, I found this offbeat coming-of-age story entirely relatable. It nimbly evades cliches and expertly navigates around potentially groan-inducing tropes. Much to my delight, I left the auditorium with a warm, satisfied feeling that is all too rare.
Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color; Dinner in America; The Beast; Paris, Texas: A four-way tie for the No. 2 spot.
— Brandy Ray
The Beast: I knew nothing about this movie going in, which was perfect. It twists, turns and evolves throughout — engaging the entire time!
Babymetal Legend – 43 The Movie: It combines the genres of metal and idol music to make something special. Their shows are always a spectacle!
— Tripp Tiffany
The Taste of Things: I am someone who loves cooking, especially for people I love. My love language is food, so this movie just brought me so much joy.
Wicked Little Letters: Because I always like to expand my vocabulary, especially in the foul-language department (lol).
— Ivana Woodcock