From Killers of the Flower Moon to Rustin, these are the films I want to win at the 2024 BAFTA awards
And the award goes to…
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The 2024 awards season is in full flow and, while the Oscars is fast approaching, we’ve got the 77th BAFTA Film Awards to look forward to first.
The biggest annual event on the British movie calendar will take place on Sunday, February 18 – and there are plenty of fantastic flicks that have been nominated ahead of this year’s ceremony. A number of them are available on the world’sbest streaming services, too, so you should watch them ASAP to see which ones you think deserve to win.
Before the big day arrives, I’ve looked at the nine most prestigious award categories, and picked which movie I want to win each prize. Some of my choices aren’t the favorites to triumph in their categories, mind you – indeed, I’ve based my selections on who Ithinkshould win, not the frontrunners for each gong. Get ready for some spicy takes, dear reader.
Best Film – Killers of the Flower Moon
Where to stream it:Apple TV Plus
Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimeris a shoo-in to land this award, but I believe Martin Scorsese’s latest multi-hour crime epic is as deserving of the Best Film gong as its cinematic cousin.
Killers of the Flower Moonis a riveting and at times harrowing historical drama that is, in my opinion, Scorsese’s best work since 2013’sThe Wolf of Wall Street. It’s beautifully shot, thrillingly acted, assembled with the upmost precision and care, and delivers on its promise to authentically represent Indigenous people – particularly the Osage Nation – in front of and behind the camera.
It’s a cinematic masterpiece that’s fully deserving of its place on ourbest Apple TV Plus movieslist. You can see where it ranks in ourbest Martin Scorsese moviesguide, too.
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Best Director – Jonathan Glazer (The Zone of Interest)
Where to stream it:only in theaters
Yes, I know what you’re thinking – two awards into this list, and I haven’t picked Nolan (who for the record I expect to land this award) andOppenheimerto win two of this year’s biggest prizes.
WithThe Zone of Interest, though, Glazer has delivered a gut-wrenching historical drama that’s as purposefully devastating as it is monstrously mundane. It’s an A24-developed film that’s difficult to stomach from thematic and storytelling viewpoints – indeed, its extraordinarily inhumane tale of Nazi commander Rudolf Hoss, and his decision to build his ‘dream home’ next to Auschwitz’s concentration camp, makes for a deeply unsettling watch. Equally, however, it’s also a profound film whose presence looms large over the cultural zeitgeist. A landmark movie that needs to be seen on the biggest screen possible to be fully appreciated.
Best Actor – Colman Domingo (Rustin)
Where to stream it:Netflix
Cillian Murphy seems nailed on to secure this gong for his portrayal of Robert J. Oppenheimer in the eponymous movie. But it’s another actor playing a historically significant individual who’s my pick for the Best Actor prize: Colman Domingo, who plays Baynard Rustin in the Netflix drama Rustin.
A stirring biopic about the man who helped Martin Luther King organize the famous 1963 Washington March, Domingo is a force of nature in one of 2023’s finalnew Netflix movies. Shining on a light on Rustin’s public self-assuredness and privately complex persona, Domingo brings purpose and poise to the film’s empathetic protagonist. Rustin is an astonishing personal story about a man fighting for his race and his sexuality, and Domingo embraces his role with grace, humility, and genuine warmth.
Best Actress – Carey Mulligan (Maestro)
Where to stream it:Netflix
Emma Stone’s delightful performance as Bella Baxter inPoor Thingsmakes her the favorite for this trophy. As wonderful as she is, though, I’d be casting my vote for Carey Mulligan inMaestro, one of my36 best movies of 2023, if given the opportunity.
Maestromight be all about Bradley Cooper – he wrote and directed the film, and stars as its lead character (real-life composer Leonard Bernstein) – but Mulligan is the film’s biggest asset. Delivering a characteristically towering performance, Mulligan is enchanting as Bernstein’s wife Felicia Montealegre. It’s a portrayal dripping with dramatic gravitas, with Mulligan bearing Montealegre’s soul in strikingly emotional fashion throughout. It’s an outstanding performance that, if not for Stone (or evenBarbie’s Margot Robbie), would see Mulligan land her second Best Actress BAFTA after her 2009 triumph forAn Education.
Best Supporting Actor – Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer)
Where to stream it:Peacock(US), rent or buy (UK and Australia)
This year’s Best Supporting Actor award is one of the most fiercely contested. Any other year,All of Us Strangers' Paul Mescal,Barbie’s Ryan Gosling, andThe Holdovers' Dominic Sessa would all be prize winners – but, in a rare move, I have to agree with the majority who believe Downey Jr. will scoop the gong.
TheMarvelalumnus, who wowed fans as theMCU’s Tony Stark/Iron Man for 11 years, gives a titanic performance inOppenheimeras Lewis Strauss, the reserved but volcanic rival of the titular theoretical physicist. If his displays as Stark in the MCU proved that Downey Jr. deserved another crack at the Hollywood filmmaking machine, his role inOppenheimerreaffirms my view that he’s one of the most talented actors of his generation. This is a performance that deservedly earned him every plaudit imaginable.
Best Supporting Actress – Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers)
Where to stream it:Peacock (US), only in theaters (UK and Australia)
Like Downey Jr., it’s hard to look pastThe Holdovers' breakout star Da’Vine Joy Randolph as the worthy winner of 2024’s Best Supporting Actress BAFTA.
Anchoring Alexander Payne’s period comedy-drama as Mary Lamb, the warm and sympathetic cafeteria manager of the movie’s New England-based boarding school, Randolph is an illuminating presence who brings an emotional air of solemnity to proceedings. Indeed, with Lamb silently grieving the death of her son throughout the flick, Randolph imbues her with heart-rendering relatability.She’s been sweeping the boards in the Best Supporting Actress category across 2024’s awards season to date for her role inThe Holdovers, and I expect her to continue her hot streak here.
Best Animated Film – Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Where to stream it:Netflix (US), Sky/NOW TV (UK),Prime Video/Binge (Australia)
One of my favorite movies of 2023, and a no-brainer inclusion on ourbest Netflix movieslist after it landed on the streaming giant. With its absolutely stupendous, multi-tiered art styles and reams of creativity, I can’t not wantSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verseto snag the 2024 BAFTA for Best Animated Feature.
That might be a tad controversial, given the widely reported crunch that its crew was subjected to; however, determined as I am to not exonerate the movie’s executive team of any blame over that, the second Miles Morales-ledSpider-Mananimated flick is an absolute joy. It combines the very best of comedy, drama, animation, superheroes, and filmmaking ingenuity that perfectly blends together to form one of thebest superhero moviesof all-time. And, amid all the negative press it garnered for the aforementioned crunch periods, award wins might go a small way to showing its 1,000-strong cast and crew how much we adore every minute detail hidden within its engrossing story and universe. See where it ranks in ourbestSpider-Manmovieslist while you’re here.
Best Foreign Film – Past Lives
Where to stream it:Paramount Plus(US), Netflix (UK), rent or buy (Australia)
WithSociety of the Snowon the cusp of breaking Netflix foreign film records,20 Days in Mariupoltelling the distressing tale of the besieged Ukrainian city amid Russia’s ongoing invasion, andThe Zone of Interestearning rave reviews, one of these films has to win the Best Foreign Film category, right?
Not necessarily.Past Lives, Celine Song’s feature directorial debut that tells the story of childhood friends across a 24-year period as they navigate their changing relationship, earns my vote. A semi-autobiographical movie,Past Livesis a powerfully poignant tale that makes strikingly keen observations about the human condition. Its leads – Greta Lee and Teo Yoo – are captivating as Nora and Hae, whose lives continue to intersect despite the diverging nature of their personal journeys. A deeply meaningful flick that lingers long after the credits roll, and one to add to ourbest Paramount Plus movieslist.
Best Documentary – Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie
Where to stream it:AppleTV Plus
Also a contender for the Foreign Film category above,20 Days in Mariupolmight end up snagging 2024’s Best Documentary BAFTA. While it would be a richly deserved win for the team that documented the horrors of the Ukraine war, though, there’s something just as quintessentially moving aboutStill, which lands my vote for this award.
Maybe it’s the fact that Michael J. Fox is one of my all-time favorite actors. Maybe it’s the fascinating way it’s been shot. Maybe it’s the deeply personal way he opens up about his battle with Parkinson’s – an awful illness that’s affected members of my own family. Or, perhaps, it’s a combination of all three; an emotionally fraught mix that makesStill: A Michael J. Fox Storyan intimate, honest, and stirring watch.
My picks for every other 2024 BAFTA Award
I’d love to wax lyrical about every film that I’d like to see triumph in the 2024 BAFTAs' other categories, but I’d still be writing this article now if I did.
Rather than spout off about certain categories I’m not an expert in, too, I felt it would be best to round up the rest of my choices in a snappy list. So, from the movie I want to secure the award for Best Costume Design, to the banging soundtrack that convinced me to give the Best Original Score prize to a particular flick, here are the rest of my picks for this year’s other trophies.
For more film-based streaming coverage, read our guides on thebest Prime Video movies,best Max movies,best Hulu movies, andbest Disney Plus movies.
As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.
Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.
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