Film lovers around the world have engaged in discourse on the future of film culture, primarily online. People have discussed the decrease in theater goers and the lack of intention to the craft in general. As attention spans head to an all-time low and new releases quickly become available on streaming platforms, it seems that all signs point to a decline to the film industry we know and love.
The production house, A24, stands out against these decreasing box office sales. In the last 5 years, the production house has had multiple hits, including The Iron Claw, Marty Supreme, and Materialists.
Though despite the recent success, A24 struggled in its early years because of its unconventional and bold film style. As of recent, many people have grown to dislike how films attempt to garner only to “hits” and “attention” rather than creating timeless, original stories. Many people have grown to dislike the rise of live-action remakes, which seem to benefit from notoriety rather than quality.
When researchers compared the 1967 Jungle Book to the 2016 remake, they noted that the recent version lost the “the bright colors and lighthearted music” (McGee). Out of all of the 13 remakes they studied, “only 3 were rated higher by audiences than the original.”
It can be said that A24 does not attempt to profit off known names or safe remakes. Their drive to remain authentic and bold began showing signs of prowess as they brought more diversity and shaped the expectations of film goers. A24 adheres to their vision, meaning that every film chosen to produce always aligns with their mission of unconventional, but honest storytelling.
One of the founders, Daniel Katz arrived at the name for the production house will driving down a road an Italy, named A24 highway. From the jumpstart, the founders, wanted this to be more than an average Hollywood hub for money and success. Instead, they made it a point to strive for wild creation within a structured industry.
Acclaimed actor, Robert Pattinson, who starred in The Lighthouse, said that he felt A24 is “creating a kind of renaissance in filmmaking.”
Now the production house is not just bold choices and unique film styles, it’s also a critically acclaimed success. In 2023, it earned the title of being the only studio to gain six Academy Awards. These quirky films are exactly what many film lovers were looking for. Although the average cinephile has many movies to browse through on streaming platforms, A24 is bringing the art, rather than the science, of film back to the big screens.
These films stand in direct contrast to what all film lovers fear. As we continue to see the uprise of artificial intelligence in creative fields, A24 strives to uphold human creativity. In a society that may prioritize mass production and successful hits, there is much hope in seeing a production company that holds creativity to the highest degree.
