All 10 Best Picture nominees at the 2024 Oscars ranked worst to best
6. The Zone of Interest
If The Holdovers is a warm hug of nostalgia, The Zone of Interest is a cold reminder of our grim world history. This is a fantastic movie, but boy, will it make you feel bad. Directed by Jonathan Glazer, I was looking forward to watching this movie based on his past works and the previews released, and I was not disappointed.
The Zone of Interest's focus on evil people living what they consider normal lives is very challenging to watch. It definitely isn't for everyone, but it presents a very important lesson — one that's still super relevant today. The way people justify doing horrendous things is disturbing, to say the least.
The movie is also told as a non-linear plot, incorporating unexpected stylistic choices that'll get under the viewer's skin. Which is, of course, the whole point. The Zone of Interest is incredibly effective in what it's trying to say, and while I may never watch it again, I'll also never forget it.
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5. American Fiction
American Fiction is a fresh satire on stereotypes that'll make you feel all the emotions. While the situation protagonist Monk (Jeffrey Wright) gets himself into might not be relatable, his moral struggle of wanting to do the right thing while also trying to support himself and his family is something most of us can understand.
The performances, particularly from Wright and his co-star Sterling K. Brown, are both hilarious and thought-provoking, and it's easy to fall in love with the characters.
As Cord Jefferson's directorial film debut, American Fiction is truly a gem that should make him an in-demand talent.
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