While A24 was once the popular distributor known for acquiring and producing the coolest, most exciting projects from independent and arthouse filmmakers, the “underdog studio” is more mainstream with a series of box office hits and major coproductions. Film fans looking for the next studio to pin their hopes for the industry’s future may have to look at NEON as their next ideal company.
NEON hasproduced a series of excellent filmssince its inception in 2017, includingParasite,Spencer,Palm Springs,The Worst Person in the World, andApollo 11. These 10 movies from the company aren’t as high-profile but are possibly the studio’s most underrated.
10’Crimes of the Future' (2022)
WhileDavid Cronenbergseemed content with making experimental social satires likeCosmopolisandMaps to the Starsin recent years, he finally returned to the body horror genre that he’s so well known for withCrimes of the Future.
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Crimes of the Futuretakes place in a future where exotic, grotesque surgery is viewed as performance art, and starsViggo MortensenandLea Seydouxas a pair of popular performers. Those expecting nothing but shocking body horror may be surprised to find a surprisingly funny and often thoughtful critique of the artistic process.
9’Colossal' (2016)
NEON’s first film,Colossal,is one of the best kaiju movies ever made in America. The film uses a disastrous kaiju attack in South Korea to parallel the struggles of the alcoholic writer Gloria (Anne Hathaway), who returns to her hometown after her boyfriend (Dan Stevens) breaks up with her.
Upon rediscovering her childhood memories and the origins of her self-abusive patterns, Hathaway realizes that she secretly controls the same kaiju that is causing havoc overseas.Jason Sudekisgives the best dramatic performance of his career as Gloria’s childhood bully.
8’Ingrid Goes West' (2017)
NEON produces many horror films, but few are quite as terrifying as the realistic depiction of social media obsession shown inIngrid Goes West. The dark comedy follows the Internet junkie Ingrid (Aubrey Plaza) as she stalks and attempts to become best friends with her idol, the social media influencer Taylor Sloane (Elizabeth Olsen).
It speaks to Plaza’s range as an actress that Ingrid becomes so scary, hilarious, and heartbreaking at the same time.O’Shea Jackson Jr.is also particularly strong in a hilarious supporting role as Ingrid’s potential boyfriend.
7’Borg vs McEnroe' (2017)
Sometimes a good, old-fashioned sports rivalry film can go a long way.Borg vs. McEnroeexplores the decades-spanning competition and eventual friendship between rival tennis players Björn Borg (Sverrir Gudnason) and John McEnroe (Shia Labeouf) ahead of the 1980 Wimbledon Championships. The rivalry intensified due to McEnroe’s increasingly temperamental relationship with the news media coverage of the event.
All that is needed to make a film like this work is electrifying competition sequences and a duo of great performances; thankfully, directorJanus Metz Pedersen, Dudnason, and Labouf all do their part to make the perfect “dad movie.”
6’Vox Lux' (2018)
Vox Loxis purposefully inflammatory and is guaranteed to ruffle some feathers; not only is it a highly stylized, experimental work of arthouse filmmaking, but the film begins with a horrifying school shooting sequence that shows some extremely graphic content on screen. In the wake of the tragic event, the teenage girl Celeste (Raffey Cassidy) writes a song of healing that is subsequently noticed by a major music producer (Jude Law).
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As part of the film’s bifurcated structure,Natalie Portmanplays an older version of Celeste, who finds herself in a similar situation when another act of gun violence disrupts her upcoming tour.
5’Wild Rose' (2018)
Wild Roseis a relatively straightforward “rise to fame” music movie, but it’s made special because of the extraordinary breakout performance byJessie Buckley. Although she’s now known for the moody, troubled characters she portrayed inMen, I’m Thinking of Ending Things, andThe Lost Daughter, Buckley is remarkably energetic and charismatic in this inspirational story.
Buckley stars as Rose-Lynn Harlan, a Glasgow native who dreams of traveling to Nashville and becoming a country singer. Her rendition of the original song “Glasgow (No Place Like Home)” is quite charming.
4’Possessor' (2020)
NEON apparently enjoys being in business with the Cronenbergs. BeforeInfinity Pool,Brandon Cronenberghelmed the psychological science fiction horror espionage thrillerPossessorfor the studio, which marked him as a talent worthy of his father’s name.
Possessorfollows the assassin Tasya Vos (Andrea Risenborough) as she transfers her consciousness between bodies to take out high-level targets. While the film employs incredible attention to detail in the prosthetics and visual effects work, Cronenberg treats the film as much as an old-fashioned spy thriller as he does a horror film.
3’Clemency' (2019)
Clemencyis not an easy film to watch. Still, its attention to detail dealing with some of the most critical subjects in American prison reform makes it necessary and educational to watch.Alfre Woodwardgives her career-best performance as prison warden Bernadine Williams, who tries to live past her sins as she deals with the upcoming trial of the death row inmate Anthony Woods (Aldis Hodge).
TilldirectorChinonye Chukwudoes not shy away from the intimate facts of what goes on behind closed doors in the particularly brutal facility.
2’The Beach Bum' (2019)
Harmony Korine’s films certainly aren’t for everyone, andThe Beach Bumis about as deeply steeped in theSpring Breakersdirector’s style as it can get. The film follows the bittersweet midlife crisis of the Florida Keys stoner (and aspiring philosopher) Moondog (Matthew McConaughey) as he is called upon to take responsibility for his actions.
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Is there a deeper meaning toThe Beach Bum? Korine’s dedicated fanbase may argue that there is, but for those simply interested in a goofy stoner comedy, McConaughey’s performance is so unlike anything else he’s ever done that the film is worthwhile in that aspect alone.
1’The Lodge' (2019)
Released in theaters a month before theaters shut down during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic,The Lodgenever got the attention that it deserveddue to the fragmented release schedule. It’s unfortunate because the horror film fromGoodnight MommyfilmmakersVeronika Franz and Severin Fialahas the makings of a new classic within the genre.
The LodgestarsRiley Keoughas an ex-cult leader trapped in an enclosed cabin during a winter blizzard after her new boyfriend (Richard Armitage) invites her to spend the holiday with his children (Jaeden MartellandLia McHugh).
