Best of 2023: Top 20 Acting Performances

 

It's always a difficult task to narrow down the year's best film performances. The art of acting continues to impress and surprise me every year, as talented performers reveal humanity at its best and worst. After much deliberation, I finally landed on these 20 standouts, ranging from an undead Victorian era woman, to a chaotic, bisexual heartbreaker.

20. Fantasia Barrino in The Color Purple

Barrino's expressive voice makes a beautiful transition from musical stages to the big screen.

19. Paul Mescal in All of Us Strangers

An utterly disarming and seductive performance.

18. John Magaro in Past Lives

A quietly devastating portrayal of a man forced to question whether his love was meant to be.

17. Andrew Scott in All of Us Strangers

A raw evocation of queer insecurity and pain.

16. Leonardo DiCaprio in Killers of the Flower Moon

DiCaprio like you've never seen him before, brilliantly embodying cowardice and evil.

15. Lily Gladstone in Killers of the Flower Moon

A performance of tremendous grace and poise.
14. Cillian Murphy in OppenheimerA wrenching performance, digging deep into thought-provoking moral dilemmas.
13. Robert Downey Jr. in OppenheimerSlithering and pompous, it's his best role to date.
12. Emma Stone in Poor ThingsAn incredibly challenging character handled with amazing skill.
11. Colman Domingo in RustinAnother exciting transformation from one of our best chameleons.
10. Natalie Portman in May DecemberPetty, nasty, campy and all around delicious.
9.  Emily Blunt in OppenheimerA scene stealing performance that impressively stands out among the year's best ensemble.
8. Mark Ruffalo in Poor ThingsA hilarious performance with some of the year's best line readings.
7. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor in OriginIt's a gift to behold this soulful, deeply emotional performance.
6. Ben Whishaw in PassagesBen Whishaw once again proves that no actor conveys vulnerability like him.
5. Ayo Edibiri in BottomsOne half of the year's most entertaining comic duo.
4. Rachel Sennott in BottomsOne half of the year's most entertaining comic duo.
3. Franz Rogowski in PassagesSexy and infuriating in equal measure, it's one of the year's most unforgettable characters.
2. Teyana Taylor in A Thousand and OneA divine portrayal of motherhood that grabs you by the collar and never lets go.
1. Sandra Hüller in Anatomy of a FallAn impeccable masterclass that knows when to hold back and when to knock you out.