It has been a little over ten years since A24 made its presence known as a haven for some of the best independent projects out there, and one genre they have continued to make strides in is horror. The moment you see that A24 logo pop on the screen, you know you're in for a treat. Talk To Me is just one of their latest success stories in the world of horror as they continue to be the home for some of the most groundbreaking horror films in recent memory.

A24 has become a distribution company with its own built-in fanbase. Movie fans and even casual moviegoers know that a majority of A24's content is top-notch, and their name alone indicates a unique experience that won't be as cookie-cutter as most studio efforts. A24 has maintained a name for itself because they have been meticulous regarding its acquisitions, which are frequently mixed with a well-thought-out marketing campaign.

Their roster of original films has made them a beacon of independent filmmaking, and even though they haven't made truly blockbuster films, their projects have become enough hits that they transcend their independent beginnings. The awareness that A24 gives their movies feels like an event in the indie world, and having them attached to a release is like a cinephile stamp of approval.

Horror Has Become the Backbone of A24's Success

A24 has dabbled in just about every genre, but horror has been their backbone. When an A24 horror film is on the horizon, there is this built-in buzz that permeates throughout the industry. For a genre that tends to get minimal respect at times, A24 has managed to add a prestige gloss to its horror efforts.

2022's Scream poked fun at the rise of "elevated horror" within the industry, and that is a concept that has been embraced by some and rejected by others. "Elevated horror" seems to suggest that the viewer is typically not a fan of the genre, but this particular project appealed to their sophisticated tastes because it was smarter than the average scary movie.

A24 may not purposely seek out more prestige horror films, but it's clear that they don't want to merely distribute something we've already seen before. The distribution company is so good at what they do that they can even release less serious midnight movie fare and still present it in a way that feels cut from the auteur cloth.

Related: Talk to Me Soars to Near-Record Box Office Heights for A24

A large part of A24's success within the horror genre is their desire to work with filmmakers that are outside the box. Whether it's Ari Aster or Robert Eggers, A24 wants to embrace directors that inject more nuances and themes into their projects. Independent filmmaking can bring the best out of any genre, but horror seems to give a lot of filmmakers more of a chance to experiment.

A major studio might not want to gamble on a risky idea, but independent distributors almost use it as a hook to sell the final product. The artistic vision comes first, and then it's up to them to create a marketing strategy that's just as original as the project they're promoting. Smaller budgets also lower the cost of risk, so if A24 can spark enough interest ahead of a film's release, the return is almost always worth it. They have created a model that has made it frequently easy for them to recoup their investment.

If you're a fan of horror, there are different branches of the genre that offer many different things to enjoy. Some fans love a slasher film that allows you to check your brain at the door and have a good time, while others are looking for more gore and viscera that makes them unable to look away from the carnage on screen.

A24 has played in a lot of these areas, but what has made them truly stand out is that the horror films they have invested in explore complex themes. For instance, while Hereditary is a psychological horror film with supernatural elements, it is, first and foremost, a family drama.

The characters respond to their trauma and grief in different ways, which becomes a driving part of the story before it becomes a full-blown nightmare. Ti West's Pearl, which has bursts of violence that genre fans certainly loved, is more of a compelling character study into the mind of a very troubled central character. A24 likes a horror movie with layers, and it has become obvious that some moviegoers are seeking more from the genre as it continues to evolve.

A24 Has Become Synonymous With Challenging and Unique Horror Films

A24 has been so successful in picking horror films to distribute that they almost feel like their very own genre. The strength in their releases is so palpable that some almost forget they're not always the creative force driving the films but simply the place giving them a home.

They seem to nurture talent and either leave them to their own devices or find projects from original voices and let their work speak for itself. They take considerable risks that typically pay off, and they seem aware that their name alone has gained so much clout that they can take chances that most major studios wouldn't.

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This weekend proved to be another example of A24's success when it comes to groundbreaking horror following the release of Talk To Me. The distribution company became aware of the feature debut of brothers Danny and Michael Philippou out of the Sundance Film Festival and came out on top following a bidding war that had the likes of Universal Pictures interested in the project.

A24 won and acquired the rights to distribute the film in the U.S. following one of their signature marketing campaigns to build awareness, Talk To Me opened to $10.4 million, marking A24's best debut since 2018's Hereditary.

Critics also praised the film, gracing it with a 95 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many calling it the best horror movie of the year so far. The Philippou Brothers crafted a unique horror effort, but the A24 name didn't hurt selling it to the target audience.

Due to their films presenting complex and innovative storytelling, A24 has broken the mold by introducing new ideas to the horror genre that challenges moviegoers. The monsters of the past that have become a staple of the genre are still very much relevant, but A24 stands behind movies that illicit fear from what's buried deep within our psyche.

They aren't the first production company to throw their weight behind ambitious horror films, but they have certainly become the most consistent supporter of challenging genre efforts. For an independent distributor, they've managed to make their horror releases feel mainstream without diluting their indie sensibilities.