Top 10 Mysterious Movies of 2024
2024 has been a thrilling year for movie enthusiasts, especially for fans of the mystery genre. From psychological thrillers to supernatural enigmas, the year's releases have kept audiences on the edge of their seats. Here are the top 10 mysterious movies of 2024 that you won't want to miss.
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1. The Wrath of Becky (2023)
2. Monkey Man (2024)
3. The Last Stop in Yuma County (2024)
4. Self Reliance (2024)
5. LaRoy, Texas (2024)
Sometimes, especially when you’ve gone without it for so long, you would do anything for a shred of respect. "LaRoy, Texas" depicts exactly that, with store owner Ray being so unwilling to stand up for himself that his wife cheats on him with his brother, who also steals from the family business. It's a terrible situation, of course, but it's played out in a dry, comedic way as detective-wannabe Skip pokes at the wound while trying his best to solve the case. Each surprise reveals the small town's incompetence in dealing with things. While it doesn't quite compare to the neo-Westerns of the Coen brothers it’s inspired by, "LaRoy, Texas" is both fun and tragic, and a promising debut for writer-director Shane Atkinson.
Our staff rating: 7/10
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Thriller
Cast: A.J. Buckley, Alex Knight, Bob Clendenin, Brad Leland, Brannon Cross, Darcy Shean, Dylan Baker, Emily Pendergast, Galadriel Stineman, Ian A. Hudson, John Magaro, Matthew Del Negro, Megan Stevenson, Mimi Fletcher, Rio Alexander, Steve Zahn, Teagan Ireland, Vic Browder
Director: Shane Atkinson
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6. The Kitchen (2024)
Besides the futuristic tech that pops in and out, there’s not a lot about "The Kitchen" that signals it as a sci-fi film. Neglected housing projects and violent raids have become too common to count as dystopian, so it often feels like "The Kitchen" could’ve gone without labeling itself as part of the genre (the real world is bad enough). But underneath those layers is a subtle but tender story about a father and son finding each other amid the rubble of real life. First-time directors Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out, The Black Panther) and Kibwe Tavares delicately balance the personal and the political, never undermining the former as many socially aware films do. If Kaluuya and Tavares had fleshed out the world they built a little more and removed the parts, such as the sci-fi elements, that did not work, then Izi and Benji’s story would have been memorably devastating instead of just affecting.
Our staff rating: 6.9/10
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Science Fiction, Thriller
Cast: BACKROAD GEE, Cristale, Dani Moseley, Demmy Ladipo, Ewart James Walters, Fiona Marr, Henry Lawfull, Hope Ikpoku Jnr, Ian Wright, Jedaiah Bannerman, Kane Robinson, Karen Williams, Lola-Rose Maxwell, Neville Watson, Rasaq Kukoyi, Rhys Yates
Directors: Daniel Kaluuya, Kibwe Tavares
Rating: R
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7. Murder Mubarak (2024)
Mystery films and whodunits have placed the rich and powerful in their crosshairs for generations now, and "Murder Mubarak" proudly follows in that tradition through a tried and tested formula. While there isn't anything particularly surprising here, the film nails the tone it needs, smartly placing the focus away from the central crime and poking fun at the entire ecosystem of privilege and ego that gets revealed in its wake. Unfortunately, the movie doesn't sustain this momentum till the end, as it abruptly stumbles toward its inevitable revelations without giving itself time to let the consequences breathe. When it's all over, it actually feels like we don't know many of these individual characters any better than the overall situation they're in.
Our staff rating: 6.7/10
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Cast: Aashim Gulati, Brijendra Kala, Deven Bhojani, Dimple Kapadia, Grusha Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Purnendu Bhattacharya, Sanjay Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan, Suhail Nayyar, Tara Alisha Berry, Tisca Chopra, Varun Mitra, Vijay Varma
Director: Homi Adajania
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8. Trigger Warning (2024)
"Trigger Warning," directed by Indonesian filmmaker Mouly Surya (known for "Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts"), is a technically impressive film with beautiful cinematography and skillfully choreographed action sequences. However, it falls short due to a mediocre and occasionally inconsistent script, as well as a less-than-stellar lead performance by Jessica Alba. Alba's stunt double performs well, but Alba herself struggles to command her scenes, feeling lightweight in comparison. The CGI-heavy cold open also sets a disappointing tone for what initially promised to be a strong film.
Our staff rating: 6.5/10
Genre: Action, Thriller
Cast: Anthony Michael Hall, Gabriel Basso, Hari Dhillon, Jake Weary, Jessica Alba, Kaiwi Lyman, Mark Webber, Nadiv Molcho, Tone Bell
Director: Mouly Surya
Rating: R
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9. The Beekeeper (2024)
"The Beekeeper" starring Jason Statham portrays a compelling revenge story fueled by the anger of a man whose elderly friend falls victim to a phone scam, losing her life savings. Statham's character's journey to confront the scammers and bring justice is thrilling, particularly when he takes matters into his own hands with explosive action sequences. Director David Ayer expands the narrative into a nationwide scandal involving the U.S. government, which adds a ludicrous yet entertaining twist to the film.
However, enjoyment of "The Beekeeper" hinges on your tolerance for random bee facts and silly bee puns scattered throughout the story. Despite this, it remains a decent choice for an action-packed watch.
Our staff rating: 6.5/10
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Cast: Jason Statham, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Jeremy Irons, Minnie Driver, Josh Hutcherson, Phylicia Rashād, and many others
Director: David Ayer
Rating: R
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10. Mea Culpa (2024)
"Mea Culpa," a Tyler Perry film, struggles to captivate in its first half with a predictable plot and a surprisingly flat performance by Trevante Rhodes, especially considering his acclaimed work in "Moonlight." Rhodes, despite playing a character with supposed charisma, fails to engage, making it challenging to connect with his role as a perennially horny man. Conversely, Kelly Rowland shines with her dynamic performance, effectively carrying the emotional weight of the film.
While "Mea Culpa" picks up momentum and becomes more thrilling in the second half with twists and revelations, it's a case of too little, too late. By that point, the film's attempts to shock may not land as intended, particularly if the audience has struggled to remain engaged earlier on.
Our staff rating: 6/10
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Cast: Angela Robinson, Connor Weil, Kelly Rowland, Kerry O'Malley, Nick Sagar, RonReaco Lee, Sean Sagar, Shannon Thornton, Trevante Rhodes
Director: Tyler Perry
Rating: R