Another wave of new titles will arrive on Max in May 2024, and this month features several newcomers from production company A24 that are clear standouts.
A24’s movies are always a great option for movie nights, and depending on what you want to watch, the company has something for everyone. But our four picks this month land on the dark side of the catalogue, including a psychological thriller by Yorgos Lanthimos, two photographs by Willem Dafoe and a true sports tragedy.
We have a few A24 dramas in our selection of best Max films, so these four films definitely have a chance to make our list.
The Florida Project (2017)
Director: Sean Baker
Duration: 111 minutes
Age classification: R
Available to stream from: May 1
The Florida Project will be released on Max just in time for the summer, starring A24 returning actor Willem Dafoe. Set in the shadow of Walt Disney World, the most magical place on earth, it follows six-year-old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) who lives with her mother and struggles to make ends meet. During the summer months, Moonee makes the most of her surroundings and causes mischief by fooling and stealing from wealthy tourists. This ‘slice of life’ drama provides a powerful contrast between rich and poor, but focuses on childhood innocence.
The Iron Claw (2023)
Director: Sean Durkin
Duration: 132 minutes
Age classification: R
Available to stream from: May 10th
One of A24’s most recent productions will come to Max in May 2024. This sports drama by Sean Durkin is set in the 1980s and tells the true story of the Von Erich family. Starring Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson and Lily James. The Iron Claw shows the Von Erich family’s rise to wrestling royalty, followed by the devastating tragedies that plagued the brothers’ lives as a result of their controlling father who would do anything to achieve ultimate success.
The Lighthouse (2019)
Director: Robert Eggers
Duration: 109 minutes
Age classification: R
Available to stream from: May 1
After the success of his disturbing 2015 horror The witchEggers brought us The lighthouse – another uncomfortable watch, but one that will keep you glued to the screen. Set on a secluded island in the final years of the nineteenth century, this black-and-white horror follows two lighthouse keepers, Thomas Wake (Willem Dafoe) and Ephraim Winslow (Robert Pattinson). Together they find themselves in the middle of a massive storm and must maintain their sanity while remaining trapped, and it plays with the strangeness of mythical stories in really cool ways.
Killing a Sacred Deer (2017)
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Duration: 121 minutes
Age classification: R
Available to stream from: May 1
Before there were Oscar winners The favorite And Poor thingswith which Yorgos Lanthimos confused the audience Killing a sacred deer. Salt burn Barry Keoghan plays Martin who, after the death of his father, befriends Dr. Steven Murphy (Colin Farrell), who showers the young boy with gifts and welcomes him to his parents’ home. But when Martin is accepted into the family, the other members mysteriously fall ill, and the sins of one affect the others.