The Movies That Changed Me In 2024

a watchlist for freaks, outcasts, and masturbators

I watched 100 movies this year. Aside from being the behavior of a total shut-in, it really filled me up as an artist and, maybe more importantly, as a decision-maker. You can’t watch 100 movies if you can’t commit to one at a time. You can’t watch 100 movies if you’re overwhelmed by picking one and just default back to reality TV again and again (though I did watch my fair share of that). Really, this was a victory for nervous subs everywhere.

Looking back on my list, it wasn’t quite as horny as I expected (Mr. Dune got a lot of random action thrillers in there, as He is wont to do). However, there were some real stand outs as I got into cool girl classics I’d never seen. Allow me now to stock your watchlist for 2025, and/or remind you of the hits you’ve seen and undoubtedly loved.

GIRLS ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Working Girls (1986, dir. Lizzie Borden)

“What’s new and different?” is the way the yuppie madame of this upscale brothel answers the phone, and the answer is a movie about sex work that doesn’t center on a rescue narrative or infantilize the workers therein. We follow Molly (Louise Smith) through a day in her life as a “high class escort” slash full service sex worker from the moment she wakes up in bed with her girlfriend to the very end of her day. We see the ups and downs with clients, the moments where she has to set hard boundaries and the tender moments where she counsels men on how to be with other women or listens to the details of their lives, and as we live with her we understand the emotional underpinnings of the so-called oldest profession. It’s funny, it’s unflinching, it’s everything.

Desert Hearts (1985, dir. Donna Deitch)

The year is 1959 and the divorce ranch industry is booming. Nevada state law guarantees women an opportunity to initiate a divorce with their husbands if they establish residence in the state for a minimum of six weeks, hence the cottage industry of dude ranches opening their doors to women at a crossroads in their lives. If you thought this was a great opportunity for horse girls to make out in the rain, you’re thinking what I’m thinking. And what director Donna Deitch is thinking. Come for the well-executed sex scenes, stay for the 50’s costumes and unapologetically 80’s hair.

Anora (2024, dir. Sean Baker)

The first half of this movie was a frenetic fairytale, the second half a non-stop, high-stakes, comedic yet adrenaline-pumping thrill ride. The editing is so tight, the hair tinsel so perfect, you just want to live in it forever. And, speaking as someone who has taken a lot of pole classes, Mikey Madison’s floor work routines were actually really good!

I bought it on streaming the first day it was available to show my BFF and from the minute the goons came onscreen, they shot bolt upright and went, “Is there gonna be a goon arc?? An arc for the goon??” Long story short: we were gooning for the goon. Additionally, I think the ending is a Rorschach test for how much of a sex pervert you are. Some people thought it was very sad. Every perv I know thought it was achingly beautiful.

Shiva Baby (2020, dir. Emma Seligman)

Sugar baby + sitting shiva = a gloriously awkward self exploration amid family, cultural expectations, and the messes we make as we find ourselves. The brilliant Rachel Sennott is doing great things here.

CUNT SLAY MOTHER THE HOUSE DOWN BOOTS

The Devils (1971, dir. Ken Russell)

I’ve already told you about The Devils but let me reiterate — mustaches. A sword fight with a crocodile carcass. A nun orgy called the most blasphemous scene ever put on film. Ken Russell IS that girl.

The Lair Of The White Worm (1988, dir. Ken Russell)

This movie fucks. There’s really no other way to put it. We went in completely blind and I really think you should too. It’s our boy Ken Russell again not giving a FUCK. And you get to delight in a young Hugh Grant playing a foppish little guy. What’s not to like?

Party Girl (1995, dir. Daisy von Scherler Mayer)

This is one of those movies where if I saw it in college it would have been my entire personality for years. The amount of patterned tights I would have worn could have been tied together and stretched across the United States. Mary’s (Parker Posey) apotheosis from club girl to aspiring librarian of course gives moments of high camp and iconic fashion choices, but also perfectly captures that moment in your twenties when you’re starting to realize that being ambiently fabulous isn’t quite enough — you need purpose. And as Mary finds her own purpose, she lifts up her whole community and they’re all rooting for her. Unbelievably sweet, perfect, and a time capsule of the club kid scene of the mid-nineties in NYC.

Conclave (2024, dir. Edward Berger)

America’s Next Top Pope. RuPaul’s Pope Race. Popes¹ being bitchy, vaping, and ruining each other’s lives. Even without the perfect reveal at the end, this would have been so extremely my shit. I thought I was insane when I saw the trailer and knew I had to see it as soon as it came out, but I was later validated when the online response was exceptionally gay. More from the incomparable J.P. Brammer on this movie here.

Female Trouble (1974, dir. John Waters)

I’m ashamed to admit this was my first John Waters watch. Why did I wait so long, you ask? Severe emitophobia. Weirdly once I was in it, it was ok. Even the skid mark tighty whiteys sex scene was ok. Wonderful, even. This is the kind of film that makes sense to me, where I can see true American family values at work. Aunt Ida took the words right out of my mouth when she said “I worry that you'll work in an office, have children, celebrate wedding anniversaries. The world of the heterosexual is a sick and boring life.” If you read just the dialogue of this film it would be the finest poetry you ever consumed. And it’s a Christmas movie to boot! Perfect for annual viewing.

BOYS (I WANT SOME DI- DI- DI- DI…)

Gladiator II (2024, dir. Ridley Scott)

This movie is… bad? I don’t know, I was busy considering other elements.² I’m pretty sure Mescal was cast mainly for his famous paparazzi pics in running shorts. This was a movie about nipples and thighs. I was very pleased with the flashes of boy panties when they were wrestling in skirts, I loved Denzel absolutely chewing up the scenery with campy cape acting, I loved how every time two men were talking they looked like they were gonna kiss, and I especially loved how the ending was a total afterthought as though they had no idea how to get out of the movie. I’m glad the boys had fun together. Chef’s kiss.

Mr. Dune Was Correct

Out Of Sight (1998 dir. Steven Soderbergh)

I don’t know where else to put this Mr. Dune-initiated action-thriller but to be fair this one was sexy. Clooney and J Lo are essentially playing themselves and giving everything that needs to be given. A cop and a criminal falling in love - is it Stockholm syndrome or is it fate? Who gives a crap. ACAB in this case means A specific fictional COP is A BOMBSHELL.

What did you watch and love this year? Let us know in the comments!

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1. I know they are cardinals but the plural popes never ceases to amuse me.

2. I want some DI- DI- DI- DI- DI-