I was very fortunate to attend this year’s South by Southwest Festival for the first time. Throughout the eight-day-long festival, I managed to catch 22 films, and sitting down to compile my ranking was a challenge in itself. After a few days of marinating and constantly switching titles around, the list was created.
Here are all 22 films I saw at SXSW, ranked from best to worst:
1. Ghostlight
Ghostlight is a beautifully honest examination of grief and loss, along with the power of how theater can heal you in the darkest periods of your life. Keith Kupferer’s work is utterly devastating. I can’t recall the last time I was at a screening with a single dry eye.
2. It’s What’s Inside
The directorial debut of Greg Jardin knocked my socks off. A stylistically gorgeous mindfuckery that leaves you howling with laughter and screaming with terror. My recommendation is to go into It’s What’s Inside knowing as little as humanly possible, as that’s the best way to experience this gem.
3. Monkey Man
Monkey Man made me go bananas in the best possible way. A brutally epic directorial debut from Dev Patel, injected with visceral action sequences and a deeply emotional story at its core. You can feel the love that Patel and the team poured into this.
4. We’re All Gonna Die
We’re All Gonna Die left me incredibly surprised with how much poignancy was underneath the surface, yet it was a perfect companion to the comedy. The work from Ashly Burch and Jordan Rodrigues is wonderful. This really hit me in the feels.
5. Música
Música was, pun intended, music to my ears. Rudy Mancuso brings his story to life with so much charm and heart, blending it with outstanding stylistic choices. There was wonderful banter between him and the always lovely Camila Mendes. As a New Jerseyan, this definitely hit home.
6. Omni Loop
Omni Loop brings an unconventional spin to the “stuck in a time loop” genre, by incorporating more emotional heft. Some of the best acting from Mary-Louise Parker and Ayo Edebiri is on display. A touching look into accepting death and living life to the fullest.
7. The Fall Guy
The Fall Guy is what we love to see in a big action romcom and further showcases why comedic Ryan Gosling never disappoints. His chemistry with Emily Blunt is electric. The stunt work is outstanding. This acts as, not only, a celebration to stuntmen, but the crew as a whole.
8. Babes
Pamela Adlon’s Babes is wonderful. Ilana Glazer and Michelle Buteau’s chemistry is pitch-perfect. The perfect amount of raunchy comedy blended with a heartwarming message about the power of friendship. A bonafide crowd pleaser.
9. Civil War
I am very pleased to report that Alex Garland’s Civil War gets a thumbs up from me. From a filmmaking standpoint, it’s absolutely masterful. The sound design is as enthralling as you could imagine. My heart can’t stop racing. The IMAX was otherworldly.
10. I Wish You All The Best
Tommy Dorfman’s directorial debut doesn’t break any molds in the coming-of-age genre. Yet, it captures personal identity with such sincerity that makes it one to keep your eye out on. Corey Fogelmanis is a true revelation in their breakout role.
11. My Dead Friend Zoe
My Dead Friend Zoe showcases a devastatingly raw turn from Sonequa Martin-Green in a heartbreaking, yet surprisingly heartfelt story about a military veteran battling PTSD and regret. Definitely won’t be listening to a certain Rihanna song the same way again.
12. Road House
I had an absolute blast with Doug Liman’s reimagining of Road House. You can’t go wrong with Jake Gyllenhaal kicking butt and adding his charisma, but an unhinged Conor McGregor left me howling. Certainly not perfect, yet I had the biggest smile.
13. Sasquatch Sunset
Certainly the boldest title I caught at SXSW. Sasquatch Sunset may feel unappealing to some on the surface, but it’s thanks to its wholesome, earnest story of family that makes it worth the watch. The makeup work is truly exceptional, as is the dedication of the actors’ performances.
14. Audrey
The dysfunctional family genre is one that always resonates with me, with Audrey garnering a spot for one of the comedically dark entries in recent memory. While the comedy loses steam halfway through, the leading performance of Jackie van Beek kept me glued to the screen.
15. Backspot
Reservation Dogs’ Devery Jacobs delivers a dynamite turn in this grueling sports drama, centered around competitive cheerleading. Not the most inventive of the genre, but the brave filmmaking from D.W. Waterson can’t be pushed aside. The cheerleading choreography left my jaw on the floor.
16. Cuckoo
Cuckoo is a nail-biting horror-thriller led by an exceptionally riveting Hunter Schafer, in her first leading role in a film. It is filled with bonkers-inducing twists and turns and creative scares. If you’re a fan of Dan Stevens, get ready to see him at his most unhinged yet.
17. Timestalker
Timestalker contains an array of twists and turns on the romantic genre, thanks to the wicked work from star/writer/director Alice Lowe. If Cloud Atlas was 90 minutes shorter and more on the comedic side, this is what you’d get.
18. The Greatest Hits
The Greatest Hits’ intentions are meaningful in how it tackles grief and moving on. Despite wonderful turns from Lucy Boynton and Justin H. Min, the film’s execution deteriorates midway through to disappointing results. I loved the approach of making it akin to About Time but with music. Yet, there was a note that wasn’t being tuned correctly.
19. Y2K
Y2K is an over-the-top ‘90s disaster comedy that started on a high and took a swing that fizzled its potential midway through. Kyle Mooney’s directorial debut injects enough entertainment to make the film watchable, yet it left me wanting more, considering the talent in front of and behind the camera.
20. The Uninvited
While The Uninvited has a solid ensemble anchoring the product, it’s a chamber piece that doesn’t feel earned as a feature-length film. The film struggled to keep me invested and was getting incredibly repetitive after the 30-minute mark. It would’ve benefited as a short film or a stage production. I’m fascinated to see more work from Nadia Conners though.
21. Things Will Be Different
A very exciting concept is to be found in Things Will Be Different and while the leading turns from Adam David Thompson and Riley Dandy are great, the script undermines the rest of the film. What starts off as an intriguing puzzle-box mystery, quickly gets tedious and loses the freshness that had hooked me in the opening minutes. Maybe more emotional depth would’ve helped juice this up for me.
22. I Love You Forever
I Love You Forever is a tonal misfire, due to its shallow screenplay and inconsistent performances, outside of a wonderful Sofia Black-D’Ella in the lead. A film, aiming for comedic punches, using mental abuse and toxic relationships, failed to convey a cohesive tone. I’m curious to see the reception around the film when it hits the public eye.
List Courtesy of Bryan Sudfield
Feature Image from SXSW 2024
Recent Comments