Best of SXSW Sydney 2024: Highlights and Recommendations

South by Southwest Sydney® has established itself as a leading force in genre-focused storytelling. The SXSW Sydney 2024 festival takes place from 14–20 October, and Mother of Movies is thrilled to have reviewed several exciting titles. Read our early review of the awesome “Witches” and absurdist “The Gesuidouz.”

The festival first five headliner films: The Front Room, Smile 2, Pavements, Nightbitch, and Saturday Night marked what lay ahead. These films exemplify bold, genre-centric storytelling. This is a hallmark of the SXSW Sydney 2024 Screen Festival. The festival is proudly presented by IHG Hotels & Resorts.

The Front Room

“The Front Room”: Max & Sam Eggers deliver a new A24 horror film. It features pop sensation Brandy. She plays a newly pregnant woman. She must confront her worst nightmares when her mother-in-law, played by Kathryn Hunter, moves in. The title was screened on Tuesday 15 October 2024.

Smile 2

“Smile 2”: The highly anticipated sequel to the 2022 box office phenomenon stars Aladdin’s Naomi Scott as global pop sensation Skye Riley. As she embarks on a world tour, Skye encounters a series of increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Director Parker Finn made waves at SXSW Sydney, where he proudly presented the film. The title was screened on Wednesday, October 16.

Pavements

“Pavements”: An audacious hybrid of narrative, scripted, documentary, musical, and metatextual elements crafted by the visionary director Alex Ross Perry (Her Smell), this film delves into the world of the iconic indie rock band, Pavement. Co-written by Ross Perry and Pavement’s own Stephen Malkmus, this piece of cinema made its debut at SXSW Sydney after a great reception from audiences at the Venice and New York film festivals. The title premiered on Thursday, 17 October.

Nightbitch

“Nightbitch”: Amy Adams stars in a dark comedy. It reinvents the fairy tale narrative through the eyes of a stay-at-home mother. She feels stifled after forsaking her artistic ambitions for the grind of parenting. Then, she transforms into a dog. This film, adapted from Rachel Yoder’s acclaimed cult novel of the same name, showcases Adams’ outstanding performance, which has already generated significant Oscars buzz following its premiere at TIFF. The title was screened on Friday, 18 October, and my most anticipated title.

2024 Film Festivals and Favorites: BHFF 2024 |

Saturday Night

“Saturday Night”: Jason Reitman’s film, fresh from Telluride and TIFF, boldly explores the true story of whirlwind moments. These moments led up to the inaugural broadcast of Saturday Night Live. The film showcases a lineup of some of the industry’s hottest young acting talents. These include Gabriel LaBelle (The Fabelmans), Rachel Sennott (Shiva Baby), Dylan O’Brien (The Maze Runner franchise), Nicholas Braun (Succession), Kaia Gerber (Bottoms), and Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things). The cast is joined by iconic legends like Willem Dafoe and J.K. Simmons. “Saturday Night” is packed with humor, chaos, and the undeniable magic of a revolution that nearly slipped away. The film was screened on Saturday, 19 October.

Feature Films Hot Off the Festival Circuit

“Unstoppable”: Amazon MGM Studios presented the Australian Premiere of this sports drama. It comes Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s Artists Equity production company. Directed by William Goldenberg Unstoppable features a powerhouse cast. This includes Jharrel Jerome, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Anthony Robles, alongside Don Cheadle and Jennifer Lopez. An inspiring true story of Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome). Born with one leg, he exhibits an indomitable spirit. His unyielding resolve allows him to defy the odds and relentlessly chase his dreams.

“Y2K”: Disaster comedy directed by Saturday Night Live’s Kyle Mooney. Starring Rachel Zegler (The Hunger Games: The Ballard of Songbirds and Snakes), Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2), Jaeden Martell (It), and Australia’s own Kid Laroi as high school juniors fighting for their lives. Then Y2K becomes a reality at a New Year’s Eve party in 1999 and chaos ensues.

“Messy”: Screening as an International Premiere, Alexi Wasser’s film stars Wasser, Ione Skye, Adam Goldberg, Thomas Middleditch, and Jack Kilmer. It follows Stella Fox (Wasser), a self-aware, promiscuous love addict who moves to New York after a devastating breakup, detailing her disappointing romantic dalliances over a summer. Wasser attended SXSW Sydney and participated in a live recording of their podcast, Weirder Together, with Skye and husband Ben Lee.

“Pools”: SXSW Sydney hosted the World Premiere of Sam Hayes’ debut feature film starring rising stars Odessa A’zion and Mason Gooding alongside Ariel Winter. It follows Kennedy (A’zion), stuck at summer school after flunking her sophomore year. Amidst a heat wave, she gathers a crew for a pool-hopping adventure through Lake Forest, Chicago, where secrets lead to a night of fun and self-discovery. Hayes attended SXSW Sydney as a guest.

Episodic Program Highlights

“Shrinking” Season 2: Apple TV+ presented a sneak peek of the critically acclaimed series starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford. Created by Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein, “Shrinking” follows a grieving therapist who begins breaking the rules and directly confronting his clients, leading to significant changes in their lives and his own. Fans could visit Palace Central Cinema from 15-16 October for a special “Shrinking” photo opportunity or the Apple TV+ Presents Screen Happy Hour on 15 October at Private Kitchen Chippendale to enjoy a drink and catch up on Season 1 before the Season 2 advanced screening.

“Plum”: The World Premiere of Brendan Cowell’s eagerly-anticipated ABC TV series stars Asher Keddie, Jermaine Clement, and Cowell, following football star Peter Lum (Cowell), whose ideal life in Cronulla is disrupted by a diagnosis linking his concussions to a brain disorder.

Closing Night

Comedy sweethearts Alexei Toliopoulos and Gen Fricker hosted a live script read of “Two Hands” to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the beloved Aussie comedy/crime film, joined by some of Australia’s favourite performers.