Hollywood is finally starting to get the memo: audiences crave stories that reflect the rich tapestry of cultures, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and abilities that make up the real world. In 2024, we’ve seen a surge of fantastic films celebrating diversity, both in front of and behind the camera. Here are a few of the best:
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2024)
This mind-bending martial arts dramedy from the Daniels duo (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) features Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn Wang, a stressed-to-the-max Chinese immigrant running a failing laundromat. When the multiverse fractures, Evelyn has to connect with parallel universe versions of herself to defeat a powerful villain and save existence… all while trying to get her taxes done. A wild ride that celebrates Asian American identity and the immigrant experience, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a poignant and hilarious exploration of family, regret, and the power of self-acceptance.
Summertime (2024)
This tender coming-of-age story from director Charles Officer follows two Black teenage girls, Precious (played by Amanda-Jayne Chio) and Demitri (played by Lauryn A. Jackson), as they navigate friendship, first love, and the complexities of growing up in a gentrifying neighborhood of Toronto. Shot in a lush, sun-drenched style, Summertime is a beautiful and authentic portrayal of Black girlhood, brimming with joy, longing, and the unshakeable power of female friendship.
The House on the Bayou (2024)
This horror film from writer-director Brittani Nichols puts a fresh spin on the haunted house trope. The House on the Bayou follows a widower (played by Wendell Pierce) who takes his teenage daughter (played by Lia McKay) to a remote Louisiana bayou to visit a mysterious plantation house passed down through his family. As secrets are unearthed and the past bleeds into the present, they must confront the legacy of racism and the lingering shadows of slavery. The House on the Bayou is both a chilling horror story and a powerful exploration of America’s dark history.
I am so freaking electric (2024)
This documentary from Radhika Sachdev follows transgender teen filmmaker Xavier Dolan as he creates his first feature film. I am so freaking electric is an intimate and moving portrait of a young artist finding his voice, navigating the challenges of coming-of-age and self-discovery, and the complex emotions of growing up transgender. Sachdev’s documentary is a must-watch for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, brimming with raw honesty and the power of creative expression.
Listen Up (2024)
This heartwarming dramedy from Victoria Wong stars Olivia Munn as Michelle a passionate high school ASL (American Sign Language) teacher who becomes determined to start a deaf high school bowling team. Despite facing resistance from the school administration and skepticism from the parents of hearing students, Michelle perseveres, inspiring her students to find their voices and challenge perceptions of deafness. Listen Up is an uplifting and engaging film that celebrates the deaf community and the power of inclusion.
These are just a few examples of the many incredible films that are celebrating diversity in 2024. As Hollywood continues to embrace inclusive storytelling, we can expect to see even more films that reflect the richness and complexity of our world.
It’s important to note that while 2024 has seen progress, there’s still a long way to go. Here are some ways we can continue to push for diversity in film:
- Support filmmakers of color, LGBTQ+ filmmakers, female filmmakers, and filmmakers with disabilities.
- Seek out and watch films that tell stories outside the mainstream.
- Hold Hollywood accountable for its representation choices.
- Advocate for unconscious bias training in the film industry.
