Salute to Stunts: “The Fall Guy” Leads a Stellar 2024 Film Year

2024 proved to be a year of cinematic delights, with a refreshing shift away from superhero fatigue and an explosion of diverse genres. From spine-chilling horrors to heartwarming rom-coms, films of every stripe captivated audiences worldwide.

But amidst this cinematic boom, one film truly leaped from the screen: “The Fall Guy.”

Editor’s note: Warning: Although we’ve done our best to avoid spoiling anything too major, please note this list does include a few specific references to several of the listed films that some might consider spoiler-y.

Marvel Studios took a well-deserved breather this year, opting to forgo their usual barrage of superhero movies. This strategic pause allowed space for other cinematic offerings to shine. Horror, in particular, dominated 2024 with a slate of terrifying treats exploring various subgenres. Body horror buffs found solace in “The Substance,” Satanic Panic fans were served “Late Night with the Devil,” and those seeking psychological chills immersed themselves in “Heretic.” From haunting tales like “The Oddity” to the intriguing blend of romance and revenge in “Your Monster,” and a fresh take on the classic “Nosferatu,” horror reigned supreme.

But the entertainment wasn’t confined to the horror aisle. Adored sequels like “Inside Out 2” and “Dune: Part 2” arrived alongside the compelling prequel “Furiosa.”

The Fall Guy – A Stunt Spectacular

I love to mentally check out with a good movie when I fly. So, on a recent trip to New York City for Technicon, I settled into my narrow (definitely-not-my-couch) airline seat and fell head over heels for “The Fall Guy,” a film based on the TV show I remember watching as a teen back in the ’80s.

Directed by David Leitch (Deadpool 2, the John Wick franchise), “The Fall Guy” is pure entertainment—part rom-com, part action, funny as heck, and super meta. Leitch is perfectly suited to direct a film about a stuntman, having been one himself (he was Brad Pitt’s stunt-double five times). And the actors clearly are having a ton of fun roasting the industry, while also paying tribute to the invisible heroes of any movie: the stunt performers.