A24 Films Arriving on HBO Max in July 2025: A Look at Their Critical Reception
Subscribers to HBO Max (soon to revert to its original ‘Max’ branding in some regions) can anticipate a significant expansion of their A24 film library this July. Since December 2023, when Max became the exclusive streaming home for A24 titles in select markets, over 100 movies from the celebrated independent studio have been added to the platform’s collection.
July 2025 marks the streaming debut for *three* additional A24 features, two of which premiered in cinemas earlier this year. However, based on their reception among critics, as reflected by their **Rotten Tomatoes (RT) scores**, these new arrivals present a mixed bag, with one film standing out significantly.
Here’s a breakdown of the trio set to join the Max lineup, ranked according to their critical standing:
### 1. Opus
* **Max Release Date:** July 11, 2025 * **Runtime:** 1 hour 44 minutes * **Rating:** R * **Key Cast:** Ayo Edebiri, John Malkovich, Juliette Lewis, Murray Bartlett, Tony Hale, Young Mazino, Amber Midthunder * **Director:** Mark Anthony Green * **Rotten Tomatoes Score:** **40%** (Based on critic reviews)
Despite featuring a notable ensemble cast including “The Bear’s” Ayo Edebiri and the always compelling John Malkovich, *Opus* appears to fall short of expectations. This cult-themed thriller has drawn comparisons to A24’s earlier film *Midsommar* but reportedly struggles to replicate its predecessor’s psychological tension, narrative depth, or horror elements. While Malkovich is highlighted for a particularly memorable performance, the film as a whole is described as largely unmemorable.
### 2. Death of a Unicorn
* **Max Release Date:** July 25, 2025 * **Runtime:** 1 hour 44 minutes * **Rating:** R * **Key Cast:** Jenna Ortega, Paul Rudd, Will Poulter, Anthony Carrigan, Tea Leoni, Richard E Grant * **Director:** Alex Scharfman * **Rotten Tomatoes Score:** **54%** (Based on critic reviews)
Another A24 offering blending horror elements, *Death of a Unicorn* also boasts a recognizable cast led by Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega. However, critical response suggests that while the actors, particularly Rudd and Ortega in their father-daughter roles and Poulter and Grant as villains, deliver strong performances, the film is hampered by a convoluted plot. Described as a satirical creature feature, the movie reportedly suffers from an inconsistent tone that undermines its potentially interesting themes and story.
### The Standout: A Critically Acclaimed Third Film
While details for the third A24 film arriving in July 2025 were not provided in the source information, it is **crucially noted as possessing a significantly higher Rotten Tomatoes score** – implicitly a “perfect” or near-perfect rating – distinguishing it sharply from *Opus* and *Death of a Unicorn*.
This highly-rated, unnamed film is positioned as the **must-watch** of the July A24 batch, based purely on its strong positive reception from critics.
**Key Takeaway for Viewers:**
For HBO Max subscribers looking to dive into A24’s latest additions this July, critical consensus points towards **one clear winner** in terms of quality. While *Opus* and *Death of a Unicorn* feature talented casts, their low to mixed Rotten Tomatoes scores suggest they may not satisfy all viewers. The third, highly-rated film is presented as the essential viewing experience among this new group.
These additions continue to bolster Max’s position as a primary destination for fans of A24’s distinctive cinematic output, offering a range of genres and critical successes for subscribers to explore.
