The Best New Movies of October 2024

As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of cinema, I can confidently say that October 2024 is shaping up to be a truly exceptional month for movie lovers like myself.

Starting in October, the serious competition for this year’s Oscars begins – it’s when many of the year’s best films are released. Here are some top picks from this month, including one movie that is strongly contending to make my list of favorites for the entire year.

The Outrun

Stories of addiction recovery have real-world significance, bridging connections between individuals who have experienced or are experiencing the torment of escaping addiction’s grip. However, these narratives don’t always translate effectively on screen. A character typically reaches their lowest point, followed by a painstaking climb out—and it’s this prolonged struggle that can make a film feel sluggish. Director Nora Fingscheidt skillfully sidesteps this issue in The Outrun, an adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s 2016 memoir detailing her return to her Orkney family farm and her journey toward sobriety. Unlike traditional narratives, Fingscheidt allows the story to establish its own pace. The protagonist, Rona, portrayed exceptionally by Saoirse Ronan, embodies a character whose face perpetually seeks answers, leaving nothing final or conclusive about her. As Rona, Ronan lives each day and heartbeat, creating an experience where our heartbeats seem to match hers, gradually accumulating over time.

Conclave

Experiencing actors like Stanley Tucci and Ralph Fiennes donning cardinal attire and strolling around a film set replicating the Vatican is both amusing and captivating, which is one of the charms of Edward Berger’s papal drama, Conclave. For instance, Stanley Tucci sporting his red Zucchetto at an angle reminiscent of 30s newsboy style or Ralph Fiennes suggesting the immense responsibility on his shoulders exceeds the weight of his scarlet capelet are enticing visuals that I’m drawn to. Conclave, a drama centered around cardinals plotting and strategizing as they strive to select a new pope, is entertaining. However, it should be noted that while it beautifully portrays the appeal of Vatican fashion—with its gold ecclesiastical necklaces and soft red leather slippers—it also delivers a larger, profound message: the Catholic Church needs reform to prevent it from becoming as lifeless as ancient relics. [Read the full review.]

The Apprentice

In contemporary American cinema, it’s rare for filmmakers to make direct political statements. However, the timing for Danish-Iranian director Ali Abbasi’s film “The Apprentice” couldn’t be more apt. This movie offers a nuanced and insightful portrayal of America and the world’s current predicament regarding a specific past and potential future president, without resorting to sensationalism. Sebastian Stan portrays Donald Trump in the 1970s and ’80s, a socially awkward, insecure figure in his father’s real estate empire at the time. Jeremy Strong plays Roy Cohn, the ruthless lawyer known for his role in the Army-McCarthy hearings. Cohn, a closeted gay man who died of AIDS, mentors the young Trump, teaching him three rules: attack, admit nothing, deny everything, and always claim victory—never acknowledge defeat. The film isn’t just history; it’s a reflection of our politically divided present. Trump is reportedly enraged by the movie, threatening legal action that hasn’t been initiated yet. “The Apprentice” is a subtle form of resistance, and even in its restraint, it’s considered risky. We live in a time where subtleties are not easily understood, but everyone understands the meaning of “attack, attack, attack.“. [Read the full review.]

Anora

In simple and engaging language: Sean Baker is an extraordinary filmmaker known for his open-hearted and creative storytelling. His latest film, titled ‘Anora,’ introduces us to Ani, a young sex worker from Brooklyn who prefers not to use her real name, which is the same as the movie’s title. However, by the end of the film, she seems to embrace it as fitting her tender yet resilient spirit. Ani works in a Manhattan strip club and one night, her boss asks her to meet with a client who wants a Russian-speaker. Since she is Uzbek-American and used to speak Russian with her grandmother, she fits the bill. This leads her to meet Ivan (played by Mark Eydelshteyn), a humorous, endearing character who claims to be 21 but seems younger. He’s as playful as a puppy and tosses around hundred-dollar bills like toys.

2024-10-31 22:06

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