Director Oliver Stone recently revealed his favorite films of 2024, and the first one isn't what we expected.
Oliver Stone is one of those directors who willingly share on the networks their feelings regarding current film production. Over the past two years, the director of JFK notably posted on Twitter his rave opinion on Oppenheimerhis complex appreciation of Megalopolisand his big disappointment with Gladiator 2.
At the end of the year 2024, Oliver Stone has chosen to a little summary of his most beautiful discoveries of the yearamong which some choices may surprise. It is in particular the film that the director places at the top of his list which surprises, and that is perhaps all the better!
Oliver Stone's unexpected top 1
Without specifically saying whether this is his “top 2024”, Oliver Stone presented on his Twitter account, on December 31, a numbered list of 6 films that he saw in 2024 and which he particularly liked. As a preamble to his short reviews, he provided a short introduction:
“I am delighted to share with you my enthusiasm for a small anthology of recent films that I have seen. There are so many good ones, and so many gifted filmmakers! I haven't seen them all yet, so my apologies for those I don't include, but of the ones I have seen…”
And at number 1, Oliver Stone elected the musical Wicked directed by Jon M. Chu. The filmmaker was quick to proclaim loudly his love for this film, a style that is nevertheless very far from his own cinema full of political thrillers:
“Wow! I had never seen the stage version or followed the promotion of the film, but I simply loved its sensuality and intelligence. I didn't know these two actresses, but what a surprise to discover their performance so unique and refreshing. Ariana Grande is wonderfully cute with her sparkling eyes (I wonder who could have given birth to such a charming fairytale creature?), and Cynthia Erivo brings depth and intelligence to Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. particularly moving!”
We could wonder if it was more the film or the actresses who enchanted the filmmaker, but Oliver Stone does not forget to also salute the production:
“Jon M. Chu is a great director, tackling difficult material with this prequel that completely turns everything we know about The Wizard of Oz on its head. It’s all the more incredible that he succeeded in his bet with a Hollywood studio.”
Stone therefore really appreciates Wicked both for the intrinsic qualities of the film and for the prowess of such an ambitious and original production withina system that leaves less and less room for creativity. This is proof that an accomplished artist is capable ofloving with all one's heart works that have nothing to do with one's own.
In second position in his top, Oliver Stone places the biopic on Bob Dylan A complete strangerwhich is followed by Conclave in third position. In a second tweet, the director also mentions The Brutalist (which will be released in France on February 12, 2025), Anora et Emilia Perez. See you at the end of 2025 to find out if the second part of Wicked, For Goodwill also be Oliver Stone's film of the year! Its release is scheduled for November 26, 2025.
