This year's films certainly weren't lacking in brilliant acting, across varying genres and languages. And if you've seen the outstanding performances listed below, I'm sure you'll agree that they speak for themselves. So without further ado, here are my Top 20 Acting Performances of 2024.
20. Karren Karagulian in Anora
His portrayal of an exasperated handler is one of the film's highlights.19. Mark Eydelshteyn in Anora
Eydelshteyn imbues one of the year’s most insufferably immature characters with such lovable innocence.
18. John David Washington in The Piano Lesson
Washington gives his best, most charismatic performance to date.
17. Karla Sofía Gascón in Emilia Pérez
This film may have its problems, but Gascón's complex performance is not one of them.
16. Mikey Madison in Anora
This star-making performance radiates confidence and a commanding screen presence.
15. Nicole Kidman in Babygirl
Yet another fully committed performance from the brilliant Nicole Kidman.
14.
Zoe Saldana in Emilia Pérez
Lithe and dynamic, Saldana's bravura performance lights up the screen.
13.
Mzia Arabuli in Crossing
Such a lived-in, wonderful performance of immense humanity.
12.
Andrew Garfield in We Live in Time
A beautifully sensitive performance that leaves you swooning and shedding a tear or two.
11.
Adria Arjona in Hit Man
An endlessly captivating performance making up one half of the year's most charming romantic pairing.
10.
David Webber in Hard Truths
A deceptively small performance that deftly conveys the weight of a patience-testing marriage.
9.
Justice Smith in I Saw the TV Glow
A performance brimming with tremendous honesty and raw emotion.
8.
Cynthia Erivo in Wicked
The role she was born to play, bringing deeply sympathetic pathos.
7.
Colman Domingo in Sing Sing
With this soulful performance, Domingo once again proves to be a true thespian.
6.
Clarence Maclin in Sing Sing
A breakout performance grounded in such palpable truth.
5.
Kirsten Dunst in Civil War
This unsung performance expertly displayed lived-in, world-weary fortitude.
4.
André Holland in Exhibiting Forgiveness
Holland's vulnerability in this role is so moving to watch.
3.
Salha Nasraoui in Who Do I Belong To
Nasraoui's expression of inner turmoil and anguish left me mesmerized.
2.
Ralph Fiennes in Conclave
Fiennes' portrayal is so precise and utterly entertaining.
1.
Marianne Jean-Baptiste in Hard Truths
Jean-Baptiste's magnificent performance gives this irascible character such empathetic fragility and soul.