The 2024 Summer of Blockbusters and Horror

The summer delivered a slew of films worthy of notice for their care and craft. From billion-dollar blockbusters made with passion to indie horror films pushing genre barriers, the following recognizes the standouts worthy of appreciation.

“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga“

A prequel to the 2015 juggernaut “Mad Max: Fury Road,” director George Miller’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” is a supplementary action epic.

The fifth “Mad Max” entry, “Furiosa” pairs with “Fury Road” as a revitalization of the post-apocalyptic series begun in 1979. Set in a world fueled by diesel and bullets, 79-year-old Miller (“Three Thousand Years of Longing,” “Happy Feet’) directs with unparalleled veracity.

Anya Taylor-Joy stars as the cunning Imperator Furiosa. Joy (“The Menu,” “Last Night in Soho”) embodies a younger iteration of the character played by Charlize Theron in “Fury Road.” Joy gives a vengeful performance scheming against the biker-warlord Dr. Dementus – played by Chris Hemsworth.

“Furiosa” retains the savagely vibrant action of “Fury Road,” with a renewed emphasis on worldbuilding. Dementus is a batty antagonist deepend with glimpses of motivation. The film is a grandiose race through an Australian wasteland that rarely lets up from the gas.

“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” is available now on Max.

“Inside Out 2“

Following up another 2015 hit, “Inside Out 2” is a fresh Pixar heartwarmer.

Set inside the mind of high schooler Riley, her lifelong emotions cope with her new feelings of adolescence. Growing into her teenage years, Riley’s core emotions evolve from Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust to include self-conscious thoughts of Envy, Ennui, Embarrassment and Anxiety.

Amy Poehler and Phyllis Smith as Joy and Sadness still endear as a duo, whilst Maya Hawk’s Anxiety maniacally takes over Riley’s mind. Ensemble standouts such as Ayo Edibiri as Envy and Lewis Black as Anger add further comedy with their emotive voice-work.

“Inside Out 2” is a living testament to the anxieties of self-worth. The film encourages mental health embracing imperfections to further personal development.

“Inside Out 2” is available now on Disney+.

“Longlegs“

From Osgood “Oz” Perkins, “Longlegs” is a divisly chilling thriller.

When FBI agent Harker investigates a series of satanic killings, she discovers a personal connection to the killer known simply as “Longlegs.” The feature isn’t your typical horror-fare, harboring just a handful of jump scares heightened by a daunting atmosphere.

The permeable dread throughout is a testament to impeccable direction from Perkins (“The Blackcoat’s Daughter,” “Gretel and Hansel”). The camera emphasizes empty space and shadows which shield things from immediate view. The film is further elevated by what populates the empty space — demonic figures lurking in the shadows — easily missable details are bone-chilling to witness once seen.

Maika Monroe as Harker gives a detached performance that aids the film’s disconnected presence. The steady performance from Monroe (“It Follows,” ”Watcher”) pairs a polarizing one from Nicholas Cage as the killer Longlegs. Unnerving and oddly novel, Cage (“National Treasure,” “Pig”) presents an oddball persona that strikes fear as often as humor. The askewed performances match unparalleled visual storytelling for a sinfully arresting watch.

“Longlegs” is still in theaters and available for rent online.

“Deadpool & Wolverine“

One of the biggest blockbusters of the year “Deadpool & Wolverine” is a cheeky farewell to the past 20 years of Marvel under 20th Century Fox.

For decades, Marvel’s biggest characters have been cast apart over studio rights since the comic publisher auctioned them off in the ‘90s. With Disney acquiring Fox in 2017, Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” prods every jab at the corporate bureaucracy and fandom.

Reviving Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine from his swan song “Logan,” “Deadpool & Wolverine” finally places the hairy hero in his blue and yellow spandex after 24 years on screen. Jackman (“Prisoners,” “The Prestige”) gives an animalistic yet grounded performance while Reynolds (“The Proposal,” “Green Lantern”)  bounces off the wall with crass comedy and meta in-jokes.

Direction from Levy (“Night at the Museum,” “Stranger Things”) runs on autopilot, with the lead duo’s chemistry in full control. The narrative and action are serviceable but the driving comedy keeps the film a delight to watch. It’s difficult to deny the evident passion on display when deep-cut references end up as fan-favorite characters.

“Deadpool & Wolverine” is in theaters now.

“Cuckoo“

“Longlegs” may polarize for its atmospheric horror, but “Cuckoo” does the same as a Eurotrip creature-feature.

After her family moves abroad to the German Alps to run a hotel, teenager Gretchen slowly pieces together something sinister within the idyllic landscape. Still coping with her own past personal traumas, Gretchen discovers a deadly creature capable of warping the perception of time.

Hunter Schafer as Gretchen steals the show as an angsty yet confident youth, determined to protect her family. Direction from Tilman Singer equally compels with unsettling visuals and an engaging mystery to unravel.

Shining in its starpower and premise, “Cuckoo” takes on a zany third act not dissimilar to 2022’s “Barbarian.” Fun yet mind-boggling, the film wraps up in a gleefully disorienting way that takes pride in its own schlock.

“Cuckoo” is an entertaining flick that compels with its Euro-horror and B-movie creature-feature inspirations. At the very least, those turned off by “Longlegs” may appreciate its unresting momentum.

“Cuckoo” is in theaters now.