Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
Mar 30, 2025
Table of Contents
PHOTO CREDIT: IMDb
How A24’s Secret Recipe Gives Freedom to Filmmakers
A24 is more than just a film studio. It’s a name that associates a sense of trust, an unwavering stamp of quality in the eyes of cinephiles and casual moviegoers alike. As the powerhouse continues to push boundaries, release groundbreaking acclaimed films, and become synonymous with innovative storytelling, it’s clear that A24 has transformed the indie film landscape. But amid its growing commercial success, one question persists: Is A24 the last true indie studio?
Let’s be honest. In today’s entertainment landscape, there’s no such thing as “the last” of anything. Filmmakers will always find new ways to bring their stories, films, and ideas to life, constantly breaking records and pushing boundaries. That’s just part of the creative process. So, claiming that A24 will be the last indie studio wouldn’t be entirely accurate. But the last true one? Maybe. The last one for a while? Again, possibly.
Founded in 2012 by Daniel Katz, David Fenkel, and John Hodges, A24 quickly became a beacon for filmmakers and audiences seeking something different. The studio’s ability to blend artistry with accessibility allowed it to carve out a unique space in the entertainment industry. A24 was not just producing films; it was curating an experience. Unlike its counterparts, which often took a more commercial approach, A24 challenged conventions with films that took risks— stylistically, conceptually, and narratively.
What makes A24 so trusted, especially in a landscape dominated by major studios and streaming platforms, is its consistency. From Barry Jenkins‘Moonlight’ (2016), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, to the genre-defying ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2022), which took home seven Oscars, A24 has become a symbol of risk, reward, and the craft of storytelling. Their films are more than movies—they’re conversations, cultural touchstones, and narratives that transcend far beyond the screen.
A24’s commitment to unique voices and original ideas has allowed it to maintain a level of trust with audiences that few other studios can claim. Take ‘Hereditary’ (2018), a psychological horror with elements of supernatural thriller, or the coming-of-age story ‘Lady Bird’ (2017), or an offbeat dramedy like ‘The Farewell’ (2019)—A24 has built a brand that cinephiles eagerly follow. When A24 releases a film, it’s not just another movie—it’s an event.
The Tension Between Indie Values and Commercial Success
But here’s the catch—while A24 may have started as a true indie studio, it now operates at a level that most indie studios can only dream of. So, is it still an indie studio? The line between art and commerce has blurred for A24, and the studio now faces the tension between staying true to its indie roots and capitalizing on its growing commercial success. It’s clear that A24 has found a delicate balance between maintaining its unique artistic voice and reaching wider audiences. The question is: for how long?
And let’s face it—Hollywood, with all its glamour and competitive nature, has come to recognize that indie studios are essential for keeping the industry grounded in authentic, human-centered stories. These are the films that break free from formulaic blockbusters, offering raw and original narratives that often capture what big studio productions can’t.
A24’s films are now reaching broader, mainstream audiences, whether through strategic partnerships with streaming services like Apple TV or through its now iconic distribution model.
Just look at ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’, which grossed over $100 million. But with such success comes inevitable pressure: will A24 continue to be the risk-taking studio that has redefined the indie landscape, or will it eventually fall in line with industry norms?
This is where A24’s true uniqueness thankfully comes through. Despite its commercial success, it has managed to retain a sense of independence that many major players have lost. In a film industry dominated by massive studio giants like Disney, A24’s commitment to keeping the artist at the heart of its projects remains a rare, vital force. This allows the company to stay independent while operating at a higher level. So, kudos to A24 for getting the best of both worlds.
This leads us to the second, much-debated question: Is A24 the last true indie studio? And as mentioned earlier, there will never truly be a “last” of anything in this industry.
But for the sake of this discussion, as more and more “indie” studios are absorbed by larger conglomerates or adapted to the streaming era, A24 stands as a symbol of what independent filmmaking can still attain in a corporate-dominated landscape. But can it and will it continue down this path?
The real difference between A24 and other studios, even ones that claim to be “indie,” is how much creative freedom it offers its filmmakers. While larger studios like Universal or Sony may produce independent films, their funding and oversight often come with strings attached—scripts are rewritten, budgets are slashed, and artistic control is compromised. A24, on the other hand, places a heavy emphasis on giving filmmakers the space to explore their visions fully. This is one of the reasons filmmakers like Greta Gerwig (‘Lady Bird’) and Ari Aster (‘Hereditary’) have found a creative home at A24, with both publicly praising the studio for giving them complete control over their films and their vision.
However, as A24’s influence grows, the question sticks: How long can it keep this independence? The studio is becoming a major player in the industry, and with success comes the temptation to pursue safer, more commercially viable projects. The landscape is changing quickly—streaming giants like Amazon, Netflix, MAX, and Disney+ are dominating the conversation, and even studios like A24 must evaluate their next moves carefully to stay competitive. Will A24 continue to be a bastion of independent cinema, or will it be forced to bend its principles to avoid becoming pariahs in an evolving industry?
A24’s future remains both exciting with its 2025 busy schedule.
Projects like ‘Death of a Unicorn’ (2025), starring Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, and Will Poulter, showcase the studio’s commitment to experimenting with fresh stories and new voices.
‘Warfare’ (2025), staring Helena Zengel, Finn Wolfhard, Emily Watson, and Willem Dafoe, demonstrate A24’s dedication to bringing extraordinary films to the screen.
In the end, A24’s legacy might not be defined by its commercial success or how many Oscars it wins—it will be remembered for its ways to trust filmmakers, embrace the weird, and produce films that have lasting cultural impact. It’s this dedication to creative freedom and cinematic innovation that makes A24 stand out in an ever-changing industry.
But as the studio grows, it’s worth asking: Can A24 continue to hold the title of “the last true indie studio” in a world where everything is being swept up by larger, more powerful forces? For now, A24 remains an embodiment of what happens when art and commerce go hand and hand without compromise.
By Emma Gladstone
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc.
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
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