Lynne Ramsay, who has been in the film industry for 25 years, will soon complete her fifth feature film, Polaris. This will be her first film since 2017, and she is known for her consistently excellent work despite not being very prolific. The only known detail about her upcoming project is that it is set in Alaska during the 1890s and involves an encounter between an ice photographer and the devil. The cast includes real-life couple Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara, who could potentially play either role. However, Ramsay’s talent is unique and cannot be replaced. She is skilled in portraying psychological violence and blending brutal realism with stylistic elements. This new project takes her into unfamiliar territory, but the minimalistic setting of the snowy and icy landscapes aligns with her focus on the inner struggles of her characters. Unfortunately, Ramsay was unable to make her western film, Jane Got a Gun, but Polaris may give us a glimpse of what could have been.
MaXXXine
Franchise fatigue can lead to a sense of regret and disappointment when looking forward to highly anticipated sequels. With the endless possibilities for sequels and franchises, it’s easy for film fans to feel overwhelmed and lose the enjoyment of a unique installment every few years. However, the creation of a small-scale, experimental franchise by Ti West and Mia Goth offers a refreshing break from this cycle. Their first movie, X, was a clever take on 70s slasher films with a focus on the adult film industry. Its prequel, Pearl, was shot back-to-back and now the duo is set to complete their trilogy with MaXXXine, featuring Goth’s character from X as she pursues her dreams in Los Angeles. While it’s unclear how the horror elements will fit into this story, X remains one of my top films of the decade due to its humor, sensuality, and intelligence. The unexpected prequel was clearly a labor of love for both West and Goth, and with their impressive track record, I can’t help but feel excited for the sequel.
Dune: Part Two
Although I was unable to complete the book and am not typically a fan of sci-fi, I am eagerly anticipating the delayed release of Dune: Part Two. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that Dune was the first movie I saw in theaters after the pandemic, and the combination of a grandiose screen, intense Hans Zimmer soundtrack, otherworldly atmosphere, and serious tone felt like a drug. Or maybe it’s because upon multiple rewatches, at varying levels of sobriety, I have found Denis Villeneuve’s angst-filled and politically complex adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, featuring Timothée Chalamet’s sincere declaration of “desert power,” to be both convincing and unintentionally amusing. It could also be the presence of sandworms or the fact that the first movie only told half of the story. Nevertheless, Dune: Part Two has become a source of great excitement for me, fueled even further by its revealing and hype-inducing trailers. An intergalactic war, conniving Florence Pugh, unsettling Austin Butler, and Zendaya in more than two scenes? This is exactly the type of pop culture extravaganza and intense escapism I crave in 2024.
Megalopolis
If only Megalopolis, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, had been released earlier. He could have joined other octogenarians such as Michael Mann, Hayao Miyazaki, Martin Scorsese, and Ridley Scott in the “Avengers assemble” trend of 2023. These directors made a comeback last year with expensive and ambitious projects that challenged the franchise-focused film industry, while also revisiting themes from their past works. Coppola’s Megalopolis would have been a perfect fit. The film, which he began writing in the 1980s and is currently in the editing process, has been described as a sci-fi successor to Apocalypse Now, depicting the downfall of a civilization. We only have limited information about Megalopolis, which has a budget of $120 million and stars Adam Driver, as Coppola is financing the project himself. No studio would invest in such a unique and original concept, similar to Apocalypse Now. Whether Megalopolis is a success or a failure, it will be an important event, showcasing another legendary filmmaker who refuses to conform to algorithms and the popularity of franchises like Avengers.
Mean Girls
We need to discuss the upcoming 2024 remake of Mean Girls. The movie will feature songs from the Broadway version of the original, references to iconic moments from the 2004 film, and a young cast. The directors Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr, along with screenwriter Tina Fey, have a big task ahead of them as they try to appeal to both Gen Z and those who are familiar with and love the original. The trailers look promising and I am looking forward to starting off 2024 with this film. – Veronica Esposito
Joker: Folie à Deux
The original Joker, directed by Martin Scorsese and featuring a bold use of Gary Glitter’s music and a controversial portrayal of mental illness, was not universally well-received. However, I found it to be a refreshing attempt at blending the fantastical world of superheroes with a touch of reality. That’s why I am eagerly anticipating Folie à Deux, which seems to be upping the ante with its focus on shared psychosis. Not only has Lady Gaga been cast as Harley Quinn, the prison psychiatrist who falls for Joaquin Phoenix’s character, but the film is also a musical. If it can capture the same atmospheric and unconventional approach as the first film, rather than falling into the dull and formulaic trap of most superhero movies, then it has my support.
The End
Some of the most talented filmmakers have a tendency to take their time. For instance, it took Jonathan Glazer nine years to release his films Under the Skin and The Zone of Interest. Similarly, Alexander Payne’s latest film, The Holdovers, comes six years after his previous one. However, in 2024, we can expect a new project from Joshua Oppenheimer, who shook up the documentary world with his films The Act of Killing (2012) and The Look of Silence (2014). The upcoming film, titled The End, is a mysterious apocalyptic musical that will center around a wealthy family living in a bunker after an apocalypse that they played a role in causing. The film stars Michael Shannon as the patriarch, Tilda Swinton as his wife, and also features George MacKay, Lennie James, and Tim McInnerny. This is a rare film that offers little information about its plot, but is guaranteed to be a grand and captivating experience.
Nosferatu
Robert Eggers’ adaptation of Nosferatu is a perfect match of director and material, almost too fitting to be a coincidence. Eggers, known for his gothic style in films like The Witch, has always been heavily influenced by German expressionist works and FW Murnau’s original Nosferatu. His upcoming films, The Lighthouse and The Northman, show a steady increase in ambition. With Willem Dafoe, who previously portrayed Count Orlok in Shadow of the Vampire, taking on the role of a mad vampire hunter, and Bill Skarsgård, known for his unsettling performances in Barbarian and John Wick: Chapter 4, as the titular character, it seems like the perfect cast. However, it is Eggers’ meticulous attention to historical accuracy that truly sets his version of Nosferatu apart. His dedication to creating an authentic period setting adds a unique flavor to this classic story that has been revisited many times before.
Holland, Michigan
Last year’s intense romantic film Fresh may not have received the attention it deserved (it’s interesting what happens when you release a movie meant to captivate a large audience in the oversaturated world of streaming), but it showcased first-time director Mimi Cave as a remarkable talent, leaving eager anticipation for her next project. Thankfully, the wait has been short as her new “Hitchcockian” thriller Holland, Michigan has been released this year. Nicole Kidman (staying true to her promise of bringing back “sexy, date-night movies” with this and her upcoming erotic office thriller Babygirl) portrays a woman who suspects her husband of living a secret life, but soon realizes that things may be even worse than she initially thought as she embarks on an affair of her own. The film gives off a nostalgic 90s vibe, reminiscent of glossy yet deceitful domestic dramas, and boasts an intriguing supporting cast including Matthew MacFadyen, Rachel Sennott, Jude Hill, and Gael García Bernal. With Cave’s proven ability to shock and push boundaries, it promises to be an exciting watch. Benjamin Lee
Problemista
There are several films that were supposed to be released last year, but due to the simultaneous WGA and Sag-Aftra strikes, they were delayed. However, this year, they will finally make their way to theaters. One film that I am particularly excited about is “Problemista,” written, directed, and starring Julio Torres, a writer for SNL and co-creator of HBO’s “Los Espookys.” The story follows Alejandro, a toy designer from El Salvador who is trying to succeed in New York before his work visa expires. In the trailer, it is clear that his only chance at success is by assisting a quirky artist, played by Tilda Swinton, who is known for her neon pink hair. “Problemista” promises to be a unique and visually captivating experience.
