For many entertainment companies, there are so many filmmakers and decision-makers behind the scenes, and they produce many different films without adhering to a brand “identity,” if you will. What’s aquintessential Warner Bros. film? Paramount Pictures? Sony Pictures? There really isn’t one. The same isn’t true for independent entertainment companyA24. A24 was founded in 2012 and has now become known for its unique and risk-taking approach to films.
While many other companies go for safer bets with well-loved franchises and directors, producers, and screenwriters with proven track records, A24 has a more artistic approach. They are more open to giving greener filmmakers the space to explore weird and controversial topics. And don’t think this indie company only makes niche films that garner little attention.Greta Gerwig’sLady Birdwas distributed by A24 and nominated for five Academy Awards. Here are 10 more filmmakers who should direct an A24 movie.
10Elizabeth Banks
Elizabeth Banksis a talented actress and filmmaker. Her first major acting role that launched her into the public’s consciousness was as Effie Trinket in the film adaptation of the popular book seriesThe Hunger Games. Since then, Banks has gone on to act in several major films and got her directorial debut in the wildly successful sequelPitch Perfect 2.
In 2019, Banks directed the reboot ofCharlie’s Angelsand rolled the dice with her seemingly feminist messages when the original caters much to the male gaze, whereas Banks wanted to go against that. While the film didn’t do well commercially or critically, andBanks expressed regretover the marketing of it as a feminist film, it showed her ability to take risks. Even more so, the truly weird movieCocaine Bearproved Banks will not allow herself to get pigeonholed to one type of movie.
9Luca Guadagnino
Luca Guaganinois a director and producer whose unique upbringing influences his filmmaking. Though born in Palermo, Italy, he has an Algerian mother and grew up partially in Ethiopia. He toldPurple Magazinethat he’d consider himself an African or international filmmaker. His robust catalog of films shows his desire to not zero in on one region, as his characters come from and his films are set in a variety of places:The Protagonistsfollows Italians in London,Suspiriais about an American woman in Berlin, andBeckettan American in Greece.
Guadagnino’s most well-known film is set in his home country of Italy, however, with Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer starring in this book-to-screen adaptation ofCall Me By Your Name. His international scope in filmmaking would make him a great choice for A24’s ever-expanding audience.
8Jordan Peele
The nameJordan Peelebecame stamped in everyone’s minds after his 2017 directorial debutGet Outcaused waves throughout the entertainment industry and sparked many important conversations. For some, Peele seemed to have come out of nowhere and found instant success. Yet he’d been honing his craft for his genius blend of horror and comedy for years before, as an actor, comedian, and writer for programs likeMadTVandKey and Peele.
As shown withGet Out, Peele is a highly intelligent filmmaker who believes no detail is small enough and loves crafting smart, layered stories that culminate in a satisfying ending once the pieces are revealed. Peele has proven he can create masterpieces whether with a small budget (Get Out’s$4.5 million) or heftier investments (Nope’s $68 million). He weaves in social commentary in a complex way and both embraces genre conventions and turns them on their heads.
7Leigh Janiak
If there’s one genre that A24 excels in, it’s horror.A24’s horror moviesdon’t simply inspire fear in viewers (though they’re great at that too), but they push the limits in terms of topics and filming style.Leigh Janiakhas made a name for herself in the horror space after the wildly successful Netflix seriesThe Fear Street Trilogy.
The three movies were based on the R.L. Stine books and have classic slasher and supernatural elements. Janiak pays homage to some of the most iconic films in the trilogy, such asScream,I Know What You Did Last Summer, andFriday the 13th. With Janiak, you never truly know which character is safe because she leans on viewers’ expectations and plays with them.
6Mark Mylod
Mark Mylodworked on many popular television series, such as directing several episodes ofGame of Thronesbefore taking on the role of one of the directors and producers ofSuccession. He had a hand in a few films, but what really took him to the next level was his brilliant work in the 2022 black comedyThe Menustarring Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Nicholas Hoult.
Mylod took an idea of a dinner with a bunch of snobbish people and turned it into a wild psychological thriller that critiques and pokes fun at celebrity chefs and the culinary industry, class, and cults. The performances of the actors who didn’t act as though they were in a campy movie made it all the more fun. Choices the characters make (or don’t) may have viewers scratching their heads, and this type of film that actively engages its audience would be perfect for A24.
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5Ruben Östlund
Ruben Östlund’s films are no stranger to wide recognition. He won two Palme d’Or Awards at the Cannes Film Festival for his innovative storytelling. In his 2022 filmTriangle of Sadness, Östlund examines the lives of rich people, the people who work for and cater to them, and online influencers.
While other movies have broached these topics, the humor present in the film, as well as the unexpected turn in the third act breathes fresh air into these time-old discussions. With an ambiguous open ending, Östlund doesn’t spoon-feed his audience and challenges them to fill in the blanks. With natural dialogue and interesting shooting techniques, Östlund is a director to watch.
4Ava DuVernay
Ava DuVernayhas worked with movies in a variety of ways — film publicist, screenwriter, producer, and director. This wide breadth of knowledge is reflected in her work which is smart, well-paced, and incredibly commercial. She has won and been nominated for countless awards at the Sundance Film Festival, Golden Globe Awards, and Academy Awards, among others.
One of her best works was the 2014 historical dramaSelmastarring David Oyelowo and Carmen Ejogo. The film revolves around the American civil rights movement, specifically the 1965 marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama advocating for voting rights. DuVernay often highlights the experiences of Black people in her work, and A24 is known for its diverse catalog of stories. With her range from children’s films to historical stories, DuVernay would be a solid director choice.
3Peyton Reed
Peyton Reedhas several successful films under his belt. However, a past project of his that shows he’d be great with an A24 film is his directorial debutBring It On. When hearing a brief synopsis of the film (a story about two rival high school cheerleading squads) and seeing it on nearly every list of perfect slumber parties, it can be easy to overlook the depth this film has.
For a teen film, it tackles the subjects of race, privilege, sexism, and so much more in a nuanced way. The humor in the film pushes so many buttons, and it’s not always the most P.C., yet it works. There’s a sense that no one was holding back while filming this, and if Reed brings that same energy to an A24-backed project, he could have another cult classic on his hands.
Related:Bring It On: How the Kirsten Dunst Movie Still Holds Up Today
2Debra Granik
Debra Granikis a filmmaker with a knack for bringing out the best in young talent. Her 2010 coming-of-age filmWinter’s Bonehelped put Jennifer Lawrence on the map and catapult her career. And while actress Vera Farmiga had done several films before she collaborated with Granik in the 2004 dramaDown to the Bone, many view that as her breakout performance. Because of the several famous names attached to her, some may not realize Granik’s tendency to use less-experienced actors in her projects, giving them an extra sense of authenticity.
Some of A24’s best films don’t feel like big productions; they feel more human. Her intense focus on characters makes it easy to get attached to her films. She told theSundance Institutethat with characters she likes to see “the cycle of effort, obstacles, trying again…these are the lives that I want to document and portray.”
1Patty Jenkins
Patty Jenkins’ most popular directorial work was the 2017 smash hitWonder Womanstarring Gal Gadot. While superhero films aren’t a genre that A24 is most known for, Jenkins’ body of work demonstrates that she is a versatile and competent filmmaker. Many of her works center women in all their complexities, the good and the bad. While highlighting strong and resilient women is a common thread, they never lose sight of their humanity and the vulnerabilities that come with it.
Also, she loves to utilize setting and film locations in her work to give viewers a visually captivating experience. DespiteWonder Woman’s success, Jenkins faced an uphill battle to stick to her vision. In the end, it paid off. With Jenkins not returning to direct a potential third installment, her sharp directorial eye could fit right at home with a studio unafraid to embrace different styles.
