4 Low-Budget Movies From 2024 That Turned Out to Be Better Than Blockbusters
A story of loss, self-discovery, and the crisis of cinema.
It's not always big money that makes a movie great. Here's a list of four low-budget films that will prove craftsmanship and ingenuity are key.
1. His Three Daughters, 2024
Three sisters gather at the home of their dying father to spend his final days together. Domineering Katie, vulnerable Christina, and nurturing Rachel spend their first minutes together remembering why they chose not to communicate – each sister has her own outlook on life and her own interests.
And yet, for the sake of their father, they remain in the sun-drenched apartment, trying to find the one common thread that will help them survive the coming days and perhaps restore long-lost connections.
Azazel Jacobs' film shows the subtle choreography of family relationships and imbues it with a painful yet luminous melancholy. The outstanding performances by Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen and Carrie Coon have been hailed by critics as some of the best of their careers.
2. Black Dog, 2024
Summer 2008, preparations for the Beijing Olympics are in full swing. Lang returns home after serving an eight-year sentence for manslaughter. His hometown is in a state of pre-redevelopment decline: people are leaving, houses are empty, and homeless animals roam the streets.
Lang gets a job as a dogcatcher, but unexpectedly becomes attached to a black dog that the locals believe is a rabid carrier. The man's decision to adopt a dog further complicates his already difficult situation.
Black Dog by Guan Hu is the winner of the Cannes Un Certain Regard program. It is not only a story about loneliness and an unexpected friend in the form of a loyal dog, but also about finding one's role in a rapidly changing world.
3. The Second Act, 2024
In the satirical comedy The Second Act, director Quentin Dupieux plays with the boundaries of reality by following actors as they step out of their roles, discuss the plot, joke, and criticize the industry in which they work.
Florence tries to introduce her boyfriend David to her father, but the situation is complicated by David's plans to break up with her and set her up with his friend Willy.
Conversations about love, art and the crisis of the film industry turn into bizarre self-examinations of the characters, full of meta-humor. Quentin Dupieux has once again managed to surprise by relying largely on the power of words.
4. Good One, 2024
Seventeen-year-old Sam goes on a camping trip with her father, Chris, and his best friend, Matt. What begins as a weekend quickly turns into a tense exploration of family conflict and human frailty.
Sam becomes an unwitting witness to the crises in the men's lives, and through her thoughtful gaze, the subtle dynamics of relationships are revealed.
Good One is a powerful directorial debut from India Donaldson. The gorgeous mountain scenery contrasts with the characters' inner tensions, and the modest style immerses the viewer in Sam's world, leaving room for personal reflection.