A24 has built a reputation for unconventional horror through its unique cinematic niche. A recent ranking of the studio's horror catalog examines the wide spectrum of their output, noting that even their less successful films often possess more intrigue than standard studio releases.

The 102-minute walrus experiment of Kevin Smith's Tusk

Kevin Smith's 2014 film Tusk sits at the bottom of the studio's horror catalog, according to the recent ranking . The narrative tracks a podcaster named Wallace as he travels to Canada, only to undergo a bizarre surgical transformation into a walrus . While the premise originated from a podcast rant, the report suggests the feature-length runtime fails to justify the absurd body horror and a lengthy Johnny Depp cameo.

The film is described as a "dull, splashing failure" that struggles to maintain coherence. Although Smith assembled a notable cast, the production reportedly feels more like a long, meandering joke than a structured horror film.

Zazie Beetz and Chance the Rapper in the forgettable Slice

The 2018 horror-comedy Slice represents another low point for the indie distributor, despite a cast featuring Zazie Beetz and Chance the Rapper. As reported in the ranking, the film attempts to blend humor with a plot involving the murders of pizza deliverymen in a small town. However , the production reportedly lacks the necessary wit to become a cult classic, resulting in a film that fails as both a comedy and a horror entry.

The racial and generational tensions of The Front Room

Sam and Max Eggers' 2024 debut, The Front Room, attempts to adapt a Susan Hill short story into a claustrophobic domestic thriller. The film features Kathryn Hunter as the unhinged Solange and Brandy as Belinda, a pregnant woman navigating a tense living situation . While the ranking praises Hunter's grotesque performance, it notes that the film's reliance on gross-out shock value often obscures its deeper commentary on inherited trauma and racial tensions.

Aubrey Plaza's struggle with grief in Life After Beth

The 2014 film Life After Beth offers a different kind of genre-bending experience, starring Aubrey Plaza and Dane DeHaan. The story centers on a man attempting to maintain a relationship with his girlfriend after she returns as a zombie. Although the film is noted for its heart and Plaza's strong performance, the report indicates that the narrative becomes muddled in its second half, struggling to balance its identity as a romantic comedy and a zombie film.

The debate over A24's shift toward domestic horror

The ranking highlights a tension between A24's risk-taking identity and the execution of its more ambitious projects. It remains to be seen whether the studio will lean further into the "muddled" psychological territory seen in Life After Beth or pivot toward the tighter, more visceral dread found in their top-tier successes. Additionally, the source does not clarify if the studio's recent move toward domestic horror, as seen in the Eggers' debut, represents a permanent shift in their creative strategy.