Lynne Ramsay, who has been working in film for 25 years, will soon release her fifth feature film, Polaris. This will be her first project since 2017, and she is known for taking her time with her work. The only information available about Polaris is that it takes place in Alaska during the 1890s and involves an ice photographer meeting the devil. It has been revealed that real-life couple Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara will star in the film, and either of them could potentially play either role, making for an intriguing combination. Ramsay is highly regarded for her unique talent in portraying psychological violence and blending brutal realism with stylistic freedom. While Polaris will be a departure from her previous projects, the stark landscapes and minimalism of the Alaskan wilderness align with Ramsay’s focus on the inner turmoil of her characters. This film may also serve as a glimpse into what Ramsay’s western film, Jane Got a Gun, could have been.
MaXXXine
Franchise fatigue can be a tough thing to deal with, especially when it leads to disappointment and regret after eagerly anticipating a new installment. Nowadays, it seems like almost anything can be turned into a sequel or franchise, draining the joy out of the experience. However, there are some smaller, more experimental franchises that stand out among the rest. One such franchise, created on a whim by Ti West and Mia Goth, includes the films X and its prequel Pearl, with a third installment, MaXXXine, already in the works. While it’s unclear how the gruesome violence of the previous films will fit into this new story, X is personally one of my favorite movies of the decade due to its humor, sensuality, creepiness, and intelligence. The unexpected prequel was clearly a labor of love from both the director and star, and with their strong track record, I can’t help but get excited for the sequel.
Dune: Part Two
Despite my lack of interest in science fiction and not being able to finish the book, I am eagerly anticipating the delayed release of Dune: Part Two. Perhaps it’s because Dune was the first movie I saw in theaters after the pandemic, and the combination of a large screen, intense Hans Zimmer soundtrack, and otherworldly atmosphere felt like a drug. Or maybe it’s because upon rewatching multiple times, both sober and not, I found Denis Villeneuve’s dramatic and politically complex adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel to be convincing and unintentionally comical. It could also be because of the sandworms or the fact that the first movie only told half of the story. Regardless, Dune: Part Two has become a source of excitement for me, especially with its revealing and hyped-up trailers. An intergalactic war, scheming Florence Pugh, unsettling Austin Butler, and Zendaya in more than two scenes? This is the kind of indulgent entertainment I crave in 2024.
Megalopolis
If only Megalopolis, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, had been released earlier, it could have been part of the “Avengers assemble” trend in 2023, joining other veteran directors like Michael Mann, Hayao Miyazaki, Martin Scorsese, and Ridley Scott. These directors all made a comeback last year with expensive and ambitious passion projects, defying the current trend of franchise films and revisiting familiar themes, potentially making them their swan songs. Megalopolis, which Coppola has been working on since the 80s and is currently in post-production, seems to be a science-fiction follow-up to his film Apocalypse Now, exploring the downfall of a civilization. With a budget of $120 million and Adam Driver as the lead, Coppola is funding the film himself as no studio was willing to take on such a unique and original concept, similar to Apocalypse Now. Whether it is a success or a failure, Megalopolis is sure to be a significant cinematic event, with Coppola standing as another legendary filmmaker refusing to conform to the algorithm-driven blockbuster trend.
Mean Girls
We need to discuss the upcoming 2024 remake of Mean Girls. The movie will feature music from the Broadway adaptation of the original film, references to iconic moments from the 2004 version, and a young cast. It aims to appeal to both Gen Z and those who are familiar with and love the original. The first-time directors, Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr, along with Mean Girls alumna and screenwriter Tina Fey, have a big task ahead of them. The trailers have been promising and I am eagerly anticipating this film to kick off my 2024. – Veronica Esposito
Joker: Folie à Deux
The original Joker, with its Martin Scorsese stylings, unrepentant use of Gary Glitter on the soundtrack and controversy-baiting depiction of serious mental illness, was never going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but I thought it really had something: an attempt to reconcile the quotidian derangement of superhero movies with something approximating reality. Hence I am really looking forward to Folie à Deux, which with its subtitle suggesting a theme of shared psychosis, would appear to be amping up the weirdness levels: not only has it cast Lady Gaga as – we are told – the prison psychiatrist Harley Quinn (who falls in love with Joaquin Phoenix’s Arkham asylum-confined Fleck/Joker) but that it’s going to be (of all things) a musical. Well, if it gets anywhere near the first film’s superb feel for atmosphere, and willingness to completely step away from that boring irradiated weightlessness that characterises the vast majority of superhero movies, it’s got my vote. Andrew Pulver
The End
Some of the most talented filmmakers have a reputation for making their audience wait. For instance, Jonathan Glazer waited nine years before releasing “The Zone of Interest” after “Under the Skin.” Similarly, Alexander Payne’s latest film, “The Holdovers,” comes six years after his previous one. However, it’s worth clearing your schedule and ignoring phone calls because in 2024, Joshua Oppenheimer will release an apocalyptic musical that is sure to be just as groundbreaking as his 2012 documentary “The Act of Killing” and its 2014 companion piece “The Look of Silence.” Not much is known about “The End,” except that it follows a wealthy family living in a bunker after causing the very apocalypse they are now trying to survive. The film stars Michael Shannon as the patriarch, Tilda Swinton as his wife, and also features George MacKay, Lennie James, and Tim McInnerny. It’s rare to come across a film that leaves you completely in the dark about what to expect, but one thing is for sure – it will be nothing short of majestic.
Nosferatu
Robert Eggers brings a unique perspective to the story of Nosferatu, making it an almost inevitable match between director and material. His previous works, The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman, have all shown a strong Gothic influence, reminiscent of FW Murnau’s Nosferatu and other German expressionist works. The casting of Willem Dafoe, known for his role as Count Orlok in Shadow of the Vampire, as a crazed vampire hunter adds to the perfect pairing. And Bill Skarsgård, known for his unsettling performances in Barbarian and John Wick: Chapter 4, seems like a fitting choice for the title role. What sets Eggers apart is his attention to historical accuracy, immersing himself in the period and creating an authentic atmosphere. This dedication to detail adds a unique flavor to this oft-told tale. Scott Tobias
Holland, Michigan
Fresh, a thriller from last year, may not have caused much stir (it’s funny how a film meant to provoke a large audience can get lost in the crowded world of streaming), but it showcased Mimi Cave’s talents as a first-time director. She is a marvel and many are eagerly anticipating her next project. Luckily, we didn’t have to wait long as her “Hitchcockian” thriller Holland, Michigan was released this year. Starring Nicole Kidman (who is living up to her promise of bringing back sensual date-night movies with this and her upcoming erotic office thriller Babygirl), the film follows a woman who suspects her husband of having a secret life but soon finds herself entangled in her own affair. With a throwback to the glossy yet deceitful domestic dramas of the early 90s and a unique supporting cast including Matthew MacFadyen, Rachel Sennott, Jude Hill, and Gael García Bernal, coupled with Cave’s talent for shocking and provoking, it promises to be an exciting watch.
Problemista
Numerous movies scheduled for release last year were postponed due to simultaneous strikes by the WGA and Sag-Aftra, but they will finally be shown in theaters this year. One highly anticipated film is Problemista, written, directed, and starring Julio Torres, a writer for SNL and co-creator of HBO’s Los Espookys. The plot revolves around Alejandro, a hopeful toy designer from El Salvador struggling to establish himself in New York before his work visa expires. The trailer suggests that his only chance is to assist an eccentric artist, played by Tilda Swinton, who is redeemed by her vibrant pink hair. The film promises to be a unique and surreal visual experience. Alaina Demopoulos.
