Scott’s Favorites of 2024

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS, 2024 EDITION 

Season’s Greetings, one and all! 2024 is almost over. 

Okay! Now that we’re done reminiscing, let’s talk about my favorite horror things from the last twelve months. They’re in no order, but they’re all super cool and worthy of your attention. 

The Cairnes’ Brothers’ LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL scratched an itch I didn’t know I had – a gaudy ‘70s talk show airs a live exorcism for ratings. Taut and creepy, it’ll stick with you. 

This particular reimagining of my youth is pretty much spot on with the aesthetic seediness and eye-popping ugliness we were forced to endure. (CORDUROY. The horror…) Beyond that, it tells a compelling story of a late-night host trying to hang on to his sanity; the exorcism “stunt” is a last-ditch effort to boost ratings, but as it proves to be all too real, our host finds himself dealing with demons, both literally and figuratively. David Dastmalchian is a giant in the horror scene (rightfully so), and he shows his considerable depth as the woeful host. Keep an eye on these intriguing filmmakers, and stay up late for this one. 

I watched the original Dutch SPEAK NO EVIL on Shudder before eyeing the inevitable English-language remake, this time from British filmmaker James Watkins (Eden Lake), and I’m glad I did. It certainly beats the other way around; watching Christian Tafdrup’s 2022 film will leave one with a dark mark on the soul. By contrast, Watkins’ remake lands on an ending of relief. Hope beats nihilism here, and while one shouldn’t spend all one’s time comparing apples to newer apples, it is inevitable. 

Join Scoot McNairy, Mackenzie Davis, and their daughter as they spend a weekend getaway at James McAvoy and Aisling Franciosi’s farmhouse in Devon, England. Meeting on vacation in Italy, the respective couples – the former, Americans in London, the latter, British in the countryside – and their kids (McAvoy and Franciosi’s boy Ant is mute), decide to reconnect months later. McNairy’s unemployment is causing strains in his marriage to Davis, so the getaway offered by McAvoy is a timely distraction for the couple. It isn’t long before McAvoy reveals himself to be much weirder than he was on holiday, and the family realizes – too late, too late – that they should have taken a staycation. 

This SNE offers the same caustic treats as the original—they are comedies of manners in which the protagonists could easily survive if they’d just ignore societal standards. It also offers up a great takedown of toxic masculinity; McAvoy leers and beats his chest, practically foaming as the ultimate alpha male, and McNairy’s passiveness is a beautiful running gag. And while the original gives the viewer a more realistic vision of stupidity in motion, the remake plays the absurdity for laughs, dark as they may be. Both films are terrific, but the one with some sun will hold my rewatch value. 

Speaking of comedies, I think Osgood Perkins’ LONGLEGS is pretty funny; even with variances in mileage, it’s not hard to see the absurdity as common ground and a great jumping point for Perkins’ unique take on serial killers. Yes, it is also smothered in an oppressive atmosphere, making it the creepiest film on this list. 

It’s SILENCE OF THE LAMBS until it isn’t; Perkins takes a trip to the supernatural, giving Nicolas Cage’s titular character a chance to stretch his satanic wings. Maika Monroe plays the young agent looking to prove herself, and she grounds the film in reality (Perkins’ version anyway, slightly removed and muted as it is) even when those around her turn a little goofy. This is my favorite Perkins film by quite a margin; there’s a playfulness that matches his talent and suits him very well. Cage is unnerving in a way I haven’t seen since PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED. Get on the good foot and “Hail Satan” today! 

Tilman Singer’s CUCKOO was my most anticipated film of 2024 and it did not let me down. I’m a huge fan of the German filmmaker’s LUZ; a stylish and weird thriller. Happily, CUCKOO is weirder than that, more stylish than most, and shines a very bright light on Singer’s nutty vision.  Hunter Schafer heads to the Bavarian Alps with her dad, stepmom, and younger mute half-sister to build a new resort for Dan Stevens. But Stevens (slipping into the Vincent Price role like a warm bath) entire reason for having the family there isn’t revealed until it’s too late. 

Singer excites me as a filmmaker because his style isn’t garish, made to draw attention to itself, but rather to serve the story; I’m engaged with it, not distracted. It’s a mad scientist movie, a monster movie, a sister movie, and a Hunter Schafer movie. She and Stevens make CUCKOO maybe my favoritest thing from 2024. 

Well, almost. My first book, A CUT BELOW: A CELEBRATION OF B HORROR MOVIES, 1950s-1980s, was released in February by McFarland Publishing. Three years from farm to table and I couldn’t be prouder of the end result. Folks like Gale Anne Hurd, Joe Dante, Bruce Davison, Josh Stolberg, and Clay McLeod Chapman are already on board, so ask your favorite bookseller to bring it in for you today! 

There were many more films this year that deserved attention and accolades: We have a funny Cronenberg member! Let’s hear it for Caitlin Cronenberg’s HUMANE, a hilarious take on sacrifice, its necessity or lack thereof, and familial ties of the rich and desperate. It’s a hoot. Arkasha Stevenson’s THE FIRST OMEN is my preferred “Nuns and their special little ones” film of the year; it’s visually stunning, filled with all the goofy religious fixin''s this filmgoer craves, and it knows exactly the type of hokum it is. Mine. 

ALIEN: ROMULUS is a kickass and muscular feature from Fede Alvarez, even with a couple of wince-inducing callbacks; cheers to STRANGE DARLING for doing what it does so well; THE SUBSTANCE shines a disgustingly wonderful light on the stress of women and aging; Dan Stevens again and a pirouetting vampire populate ABIGAIL, a fun and fast-paced bloodsucker; and Sébastien Vaniček’s INFESTED may be my favorite spider flick since KINGDOM OF THE SPIDERS. (Lack of a screaming cropduster pilot notwithstanding.) 

I missed so many films this year; I’m sure I will spend half of 2025 playing catchup, and I’m fine with that; horror will always be ready and waiting whenever I need it. I hope you embrace and enjoy it now and in the coming year. It will never let you down. All my best vibes, and I’ll see you down the road.