R-rated movies include content that’s too intense for younger viewers, whether it’s language, nudity, violence, or simply disturbing themes. As a result, these movies can hit harder than usual, a power that some directors use well and others abuse. Every year produces its share of R-rated gems and slop, and 2024 was no different. With this in mind, this list looks at some of the year’s very best R-rated filmmaking.
The following movies span a host of genres, from romantic comedies to horror and drama. Some of them are fairly tame, while others are unrestrained in their sex and gore. They’re all compelling, however, in very different ways, whether that’s the fun of Hit Man or the body horror wildness of The Substance. Either way, viewers should find more than a few gems to enjoy among them.
15
‘Heretic’ (2024)
Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods
Heretic stands out among 2024 releases for its unexpectedness, removing Hugh Grant from his usual comfort zone of romantic comedies and placing him as a subtly menacing villain. The movie itself is insular in setting and concept, following two Mormon missionaries, Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), who knock on the door of Mr Reed (Grant). At first, Mr Reed is pleasant and welcoming, but soon his tone shifts, becoming controlling and possessive. The core of the movie is Mr Reed discussing theology and questioning the girls’ faith.
The success of Heretic lies in its simplicity. The focus of the movie is the dialogue and leans heavily on Grant’s ability to deliver the demanding monologs that are not only narratively key but also theoretically dense. He manages to come across as controlling and knowledgeable whilst never losing the audience with regard to the words’ actual meaning. The end result is a slow-burn horror that creates such an unsettling sense of dread, grabbing the viewer by the throat and refusing to let go. —Gaby Shedwick
14
‘Kinds of Kindness’ (2024)
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
Following the critical triumph of Poor Things, there were high expectations for Yorgos Lanthimos next feature, but Kinds of Kindness broke every preconception. Structured in three parts, Kinds of Kindness tells three vaguely connected stories with the same cast playing different roles. It captures the signature whimsy of Lanthimos, but here his filmmaking is at its most eccentric. Bringing back Emma Stone, Willem Defoe, and Margaret Qualley, who have all worked with the director previously, presents a degree of creative control that is rare for such an ambitious concept.
Kinds of Kindness blends dark comedy with elements of horror and family drama, which creates a hallucinatory and unexpected narrative. It stands among other movies of 2024 due to its sheer bravery; it does something completely unique and was one of the most innovative cinematic experiences of the year. It flutters between bitingly funny to depressingly morbid in seconds, but despite the erraticism, everything has a place. It is the sort of movie that not many directors could make, but Lanthimos handles it expertly. —Gaby Shedwick
13
‘Longlegs’ (2024)
Directed by Osgood Perkins
“I know you’re not afraid of a little bit of dark because you are the dark.” This offbeat horror features Nicolas Cage as the titular Satanic serial killer and Maika Monroe as Lee Harker, the FBI agent investigating his cryptic clues. As Harker delves deeper, she uncovers unsettling connections to her past, including her mother’s involvement with the killer. From here, Longlegs keeps pivoting in fresh directions (even if the climax loses its grip a little), making for one of the year’s most entertaining horrors.
Cage delivers a wonderfully strange performance as Longlegs, a sort of wannabe rockstar/wizard figure. Other neat touches include the shadowy images of the devil scattered throughout the movie. This and other finely tuned visuals create a deeply malignant atmosphere, mirroring the characters’ internal battles. Osgood Perkins‘s direction is assured, like the opening scene where Longlegs lurches into frame for a split second, startling many a viewer.
12
‘Hit Man’ (2024)
Directed by Richard Linklater
“All pie is good pie.” Five-time Oscar nominee Richard Linklater returned to lighter fare with Hit Man, a romantic crime comedy starring Glen Powell as Gary Johnson, a philosophy professor leading a double life. By day, Gary is a reserved academic; by night, he collaborates with the New Orleans Police Department, posing as a hitman to apprehend individuals seeking to eliminate their adversaries. However, things get complicated when Gary becomes entangled with Madison (Adria Arjona), a woman aiming to hire a hitman to kill her abusive husband.
Hit Man is loosely based on real events, but it turns them into pure genre fun, intelligently executed entertainment. It’s fresh and funny, featuring strong performances and breezy storytelling. The climactic scene is fantastic: Gary is being recorded as he is sent to entrap Madison and must wordlessly help her outsmart the authorities listening in. It wouldn’t work without the committed, energetic performance from Powell, who delivers one of the best star-making turns of the new millennium and one of the best performances of 2024.
11
‘Babygirl’ (2024)
Directed by Halina Rejin
“I didn’t know love could look like this.” Nicole Kidman leads this erotic thriller film as Romy Mathis, a high-powered CEO who begins an affair with her much younger intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson). Antonio Banderas co-stars as Jacob, Romy’s unsuspecting husband. Through these characters, the movie delves into the complexities of power dynamics and sexuality within a corporate setting, as Romy’s clandestine relationship jeopardizes her career and family life.
The film is something like a 2024 update of movies like Basic Instinct and Indecent Proposal. In this regard, Babygirl is a far cry from director Helina Rejin‘s last feature, the Pete Davidson-starring Bodies Bodies Bodies. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in late August, where Kidman took home the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. It received critical acclaim, with many reviewers praising the performances as well as the sharp, polished aesthetic.
10
‘His Three Daughters’ (2024)
Directed by Azazel Jacobs
“You all need each other. It’s good that there are three of you.” This drama features Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, and Elizabeth Olsen as three estranged sisters—Katie, Rachel, and Christina—who reunite in their father’s New York City apartment to care for him during his final days. As their father, Vincent (Jay O. Sanders), battles terminal cancer, the sisters confront long-standing grievances and navigate complex family dynamics. Throughout three volatile days, as death looms, grievances erupt, but the possibility of reconciliation also shines through the cracks.
His Three Daughters is a sparse movie with a small cast and limited locations, relying on good writing for much of its dramatic tension. A big part of what makes the movie work is the uniqueness of the trio of sister; they are very different from one another in their personalities. The leads rise to the occasion with layered performances, really making the characters feel like real people.
9
‘My Old Ass’ (2024)
Directed by Megan Park
“I thought I’d be happier at 40.” My Old Ass is a coming-of-age story (in more ways than one) starring Maisy Stella as 18-year-old Elliott LaBrant, who is eager to leave her family’s cranberry farm in Muskoka Lakes, Ontario, for university in Toronto. Then, during a psychedelic mushroom trip with friends, Elliott encounters her 39-year-old future self (Aubrey Plaza). This older version offers cryptic advice, but whether Elliott can follow it is another matter.
My Old Ass is, at its core, an introspective and understated piece. This approach sets it apart from similar comedies that might play this concept purely for laughs without taking it seriously at all. There’s character development alongside the gags and banter. Thus, the finished product is, by turns, hilarious and touching, anchored by strong writing and a career-highlight performance by the always charming Plaza, while Stella is already great as the Gen Z protagonist.
8
‘A Real Pain’ (2024)
Directed by Jesse Eisenberg
One of the tightest screenplays of 2024 came from A Real Pain, which was written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, with the actor also taking on the role of David. The movie feels extremely personal, following two distant cousins who reunite following their grandmother’s death. Eisenberg’s screen partner is Kieran Culkin, who won the Academy Award for his performance as Benji. The pair have clear chemistry that feels extremely realistic, with both attempting to process their grief in divergent ways.
A Real Pain is unapologetic in its honest portrayal of the aftermath of conflict and survivors’ guilt, yet it does it in such a tender and personal manner. It is the essence of Eisenberg that glues the movie together, he writes these candid monologues for his characters that feel unrehearsed and effortless despite their meticulous construction. It is an incredibly impressive representation of slow cinema in a busy 21st-century world. —Gaby Shedwick
7
‘Late Night With the Devil’ (2024)
Directed by Colin and Cameron Cairnes
“Some things are better left undisturbed.” One of the most creative horrors of the year, Late Night with the Devil takes place in the late 1970s and focuses on Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian), a struggling late-night talk show host desperate to save his sinking career. During a live Halloween broadcast, Jack plans an ambitious stunt involving paranormal experts, a psychic, and a young woman believed to be possessed.
Late Night with the Devil is a great recreation of the period and a clever mystery that hints at information throughout, slowly unspooling its secrets. The directors get the most out of their limited budget, using effects sparingly but impactfully (like the flaming electric demon-girl near the climax). On top of that, it’s simply a smart character study, delving deep into Delroy’s ambition, vanity, and grief. It may not be super scary, but Late Night with the Devil is engaging and enjoyable throughout.
6
‘A Complete Unknown’ (2024)
Directed by James Mangold
The movie industry is becoming increasingly over-saturated with music biopics, yet Timothée Chalamet’s commitment to embodying Bob Dylan makes A Complete Unknown stand out in the busy field. Having already dipped his toes in the world of biopics with Walk the Line, James Mangold encapsulates the enigma of Dylan in A Complete Unknown. The movie handpicks the essential components of the singer’s life but doesn’t over-indulge in accuracy. The end result is a feature that truly understands the spirit of Bob Dylan and the way he impacted every life he interacted with.
Chalamet gives a career-best performance, learning to sing and play guitar just like Bob Dylan. This time and energy given to his preparation allows his interpretation to have this raw authenticity. However, what gives A Complete Unknown its true magic is the supporting performances of Edward Norton, who is almost unrecognizable as Pete Seeger, and Monica Barbaro, who is enchanting as Joan Baez. It is unsurprising that all three of them received Oscar nominations. —Gaby Shedwick