Thomas Howells

When watching an A24 film, you instantly realize the care and attention to detail in the cinematography, story telling, characters and all-round atmosphere. Not one film follows the same script as the other, giving each film a strong feeling of individuality. This could also be down to the studio using multiple directors for their films such as Ari Aster, Ti West and Alex Garland, each sliding their individual mannerisms into their craft.

No horror trope or cliché is to be expected from an A24 film. It’s extremely rare to see new horror films where the scares don’t rely upon cheap jump scares, which makes the scares in A24 films feel so refreshing. With scares usually comprise of anticipation, discrete characters lingering in the background or slow uncomfortable shots, these scares always feel like a first time experience for the viewer.

Cinematography also plays a major role in any A24 film. From the dark and almost grainy look of ‘Hereditary’ to the over exposed and bright colors of ‘Pearl’, the aesthetic doesn’t limit their ability to scare. More notably, ‘The Lighthouse’ is completely in black and white on a 1.19:1 aspect ratio, almost as if it was filmed around the time the film is set (1890’s). Due to this simple artistic choice, as an audience member you feel more immersed in the picture, multiplying the feelings produced by scenes during the film.

It is clear to see that every aspect of A24 films are made with passion to the craft of filmmaking. Every picture with more excitement and notability than the last from the cult-like following they have amassed over the years. Hopefully more independent film companies follow suit and go against the grain with their films and ideas. It is needed more than ever in a time of films being squeezed out purely for making money with no originality or real meaning behind them.