A24 has built a cinematic universe where sadness is not weakness but a compass, guiding characters toward emotional truth. From Lady Bird to Midsommar, the studio transforms grief, longing, and existential dread into something intimate, beautiful, and deeply recognizable. This piece explores how A24 has evolved into something bigger than a studio, becoming a cultural mood, an aesthetic, and a shorthand for feeling deeply in a world that often rewards detachment.

Although the post-irony poison in our 2026 water may make us inclined to giggle at the prospect of an isolated group of crewmates being picked off by a mysterious “imposter” identical to themselves, John Carpenter’s 1982 masterpiece The Thing remains heralded as one of the greatest (horror) movies of all time–while the same cannot quite be said for its 2011 prequel. Taking a retrospective glance at both films, it’s evident what makes the classic so untouchable.