A24 is an American entertainment company created just over seven years ago that has taken the world by storm. The company began specializing in film distribution but has since expanded into film and television production. From small beginnings, the company has turned into a worldwide brand for striking and well-crafted indie films that can permeate the mainstream film world. In that short period-of-time, they have distributed almost 100 different films, worked on several TV shows, and their works have also earned 25 Academy Award nominations and multiple other awards from other organizations. They have also entered into deals with different media groups like DirecTVCinema, Amazon Prime, and Apple. Their meteoric rise has shown no signs of slowing down, so when their name is attached to a new film or television project, people can trust that it is going to be something special.
The Kill Team
Set to be released October 25th of this year, The Kill Team is an action drama war film written and directed by Dan Krauss, Oscar-nominated documentarian for films like The Death of Kevin Carter (2005) and Extremix (2016). The film is an adaptation of Krauss’s 2014 documentary of the same name that won the Grand Jury Prize at the Tribeca Film Festival. This adaptation that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April stars Nat Wolff, Adam Long, Osy Ikhile, Anna Francolini, and Alexander Skarsgård in a story that follows a US soldier who faces an internal crisis and perceived threats from his platoon following the murder of civilians in the Middle East.
Uncut Gems
Set to be released December 13th, 2019, Uncut Gems is the new crime comedy-drama from the Safdie Brothers following their critically praised Good Time (2017). The film stars Adam Sandler, Lakeith Stanfield, Idina Menzel, and more. The film looks to be about Sandler’s character Howard Ratner, a New York City jeweler, as he tries to find success and balance his business and family while also making his way to the top. It is scheduled to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, but based on what is known about the film and the Safdie’s previous works, it should be stylistic and please most critics but may some viewers may also not enjoy their tight claustrophobic cinematography and tragic subject matter.
Low Tide
Low Tide is a drama film and feature-length debut for writer and director Kevin McMullin starring Keean Johnson, Alex Neustaedter, Daniel Zolghadri, and Kristine Froseth in a story about a group of kids who discover treasure during their summer at the Jersey Shore boardwalk. The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in April of this year and will be released through DirecTV video-on-demand service on September 5th while also seeing a limited theatrical release on October 4th.
After Yang
Currently filming, After Yang is a science fiction drama written and directed by Kogonada, former video essayist and director of the critically acclaimed film Columbus (2017). Based on the short story Saying Goodbye to Yang by Alexander Weinstein, the film stars Colin Farrel, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Haley Lu Richardson in a story about a father and daughter who attempt to save the life of their robotic family member, Yang, after it has become unresponsive.
Waves
Waves is a musical drama film written and directed by Trey Edward Shults. This comes following his moderately successful and critically acclaimed film It Comes at Night (2017). The film stars Lucas Hedges, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Taylor Russell, and Alexa Demie in a story about two young couples who grow up and fall in love. The music for the film is by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross who have worked together in the past on projects like The Social Network (2010) and Gone Girl (2014). The film is scheduled to be released on November 1st.
The Death of Dick Long
The Death of Dick Long is a dark comedy-drama film scheduled to be released on September 27th after premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in January. The film is directed by Daniel Scheinert, one half of the Daniels directing duo known for their previous film Swiss Army Man (2016). The film stars Michael Abbot Jr., Virginia Newcomb, Andre Hyland, Jess Weixler, and Sarah Baker in a story about two friends who try to cover up how their friend died the night before.
False Positive
False Positive is an upcoming horror film directed by John Lee and written by Lee and Ilana Glazer. The film should be very interesting considering the previous subject matter from Lee and Glazer who both have worked almost entirely in comedy on shows such as Wonder Showzen and Broad City. The film stars Glazer, Justin Theroux, Pierce Brosnan, Sophia Bush, and Josh Hamilton in a story about a couple who end up using the fertility doctor’s sperm to have their baby. Filming began in April of this year.
In Fabric
In Fabric is the latest film from Peter Strickland, director of the critically acclaimed film Duke of Burgundy (2014), and stars Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Hayley Squires, Leo Bill, and Gwendoline Christie. In the film, a recent divorcee searches for a dress that will transform her life. She finds the perfect dress, but eventually, that dress unleashes a curse and an evil that threatens everyone who comes in its path. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2018 and since then was released in the United Kingdom on June 28th, 2019, and is also scheduled to be released in the United States on December 6th of 2019. The film has received universal acclaim from critics who praise the film’s Giallo elements and surreal horror style.
On the Rocks
Currently filming, On the Rocks is a comedy-drama film written and directed by Sofia Coppola, director of films like Lost in Translation (2003) and The Beguiled (2017). The film stars Rashida Jones and Bill Murray in a story where a young mother tries to reconnect with her playboy father on an adventure in New York. The film is the first original film in a partnership between A24 and Apple where A24 would produce original films for Apple’s worldwide video unit.
The Lighthouse
Scheduled to be released October 18th of this year, The Lighthouse is a black-and-white psychological horror film from Robert Eggers, his follow-up to The Witch (2015). Eggers wrote the film alongside his brother Max Eggers. The film showcases the story of two lighthouse keepers, Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson, as they deal with each other and their own crumbling sanity. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19th and was met with great critical acclaim for the technicality of the film, as well as its direction and the performances of Dafoe and Pattinson. Possibly a divisive and alienating film for mainstream audiences, but for now critics like Owen Gleiberman of Variety view the film as “darkly exciting” and “made with extraordinary skill.”
The Souvenir Part II
The Souvenir Part II is an upcoming drama film written and directed by Joanna Hogg that is a follow-up to The Souvenir that was released this year. The film stars Honor Swinton Byrne, Tilda Swinton, Charlie Heaton, Harris Dickinson, and Joe Alwyn in the follow-up to the first film that dealt with a young film student and her complicated relationship with an “untrustworthy” man. Filming began in June of this year.
