All in all, 2024 was a fantastic year for movies. Most particularly, it was a phenomenal year for acting. From big ensemble pieces likeRobert Eggers’s passion project,Nosferatu, to much smaller projects in terms of the scope of their cast, likeChallengers, there were a ton of films last year that, taking into consideration the performance of each member of their cast and how much chemistry they had with one another, were perfectly acted.
Comeback roles, “long-overdue-for-an-Oscar” narratives, breakout stars, and tried-and-tested stars delivering their usual exceptional work were allelements that defined how great 2024 was for big-screen acting. It’s always cool when a movie has a couple of excellent performances; but when the whole cast clicks together perfectly and delivers a collectively unforgettable piece of work,thoseare the films that are truly special.
10’The Last Showgirl'
Starring: Pamela Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Kiernan Shipka
Despite it being a modest box office sensation,The Last Showgirlstill isn’t getting talked about nearly as much as it deserves. Poignant, colorful, profound, and deeply vulnerable, it’s one of the most special movies from 2024. Its exploration of themes of new beginnings feel fitting, as it works as the comeback vehicle thatPamela Andersonhad deserved for quite some time.
It’s one ofthe actress’s best projects, but she’s far from being the only outstanding performer that makes the movie worth watching.Jamie Lee Curtissteals every scene she’s in,Dave Bautistagives a very vibrant performance that proves he’s got something truly special to offer as an actor, and other supporting actors likeKiernan Shipka,Brenda Song, andJason Schwartzmanare also phenomenal.Last Showgirlis a pretty solid movie overall, but the work of its cast is simply unreal.
The Last Showgirl
9’Nosferatu'
Starring: Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, and Bill Skarsgård
Every talented filmmaker has at some point had a project that they were dying to get made, but hurdles kept racking up along the way. That’sNosferatufor Robert Eggers. This past year, however, he finally managed to release thisDraculaadaptation and remake of the 1922 silent horror movie of the same title, one ofthe most important movies in the genre’s history.
This updated version ofNosferatumight just be the best version yet. Eggers’s haunting visuals are jaw-dropping, the pacing and atmosphere are pitch-perfect,and — of course — the vast ensemble does an outstanding job.Nicholas HoultandAaron Taylor-Johnsonboth give one of the strongest performances of their respective careers, but it’sLily-Rose Deppwith her physically stunning portrayal of Ellen Hutter andBill Skarsgård’s larger-than-life performance as Count Orlok that serve as the foundations of the entire picture.
8’Dune: Part Two'
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Austin Butler
The fact thatDenis Villeneuve(whose Oscar snub this year is perhaps the most talked-about of the bunch) not only managed to live up to the imagination thatFrank Herbertdisplayed inDune, but actuallyelevated many parts of it in ways that even die-hard fans weren’t expecting, is admirable. HisDune: Part Twois this generation’sThe Empire Strikes Back, with just as much vivid creativity, just as much epicness and emotion, and just as many outstanding performances.
Many actors from the first part returned for this sequel, likeTimothée ChalametandZendaya, delivering performances a dozen times more nuanced and compelling than the ones they gave back in 2021 — which were already great to begin with. New actors join the ensemble, too, likeFlorence Pughmaking the best of her limited screentime as Princess Irulan andAustin Butlerscaring the audience’s pants off with his portrayal of the ruthless Feyd-Rautha.Dune: Part Twois probablythe best sci-fi movie of the 2020s, and that’s in no small measure thanks to its unforgettable cast.
Dune: Part Two
Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Jonathan Bailey
Broadway adaptations for the big screen sometimes go poorly and sometimes go well. Not often do they go as remarkably as box office dynamite, critical sensation, and audience darlingWicked, though. One ofthe best movie musicals of the past quarter-century, it’s as good an adaptation of the source material (both book and stage musical) as it is a great film in its own right.
Audiences and critics alike loved the dazzling visuals, the beautiful musical numbers, and the riveting story.Something else whose praises they couldn’t sing enough were the performances, which are some of the best that the genre has seen in a while.Jonathan Baileygives a fantastic supporting turn,Ariana Grandeis both hysterical and emotionally stirring as Galinda, andCynthia Erivocompletely owns the role of Elphaba from beginning to “Defying Gravity.”
6’Saturday Night'
Starring: Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennott, and Cory Michael Smith
There are very few American TV shows more iconic and long-running thanSaturday Night Live. As such,it shocked no one when a movie,Saturday Night, was announced, chronicling the show’s mythologized origins— more specifically, the very first night that the series aired.The movie overall is just okay, but if there’s one thing about it that works flawlessly, it’s the cast.
The production design is phenomenal and the score is a delight through and through, sure, but it’s the acting that makesSaturday Nighta must-see for everyone, whether they grew up withSNLor have never even heard of it.Cory Michael Smithis perfect asChevy Chase,Dylan O’Brientransforms into youngDan Aykroydin a way that’s almost eerie, andGabriel LaBellecarries the weight of leading such a large cast like a pro, while still channeling his innerLorne Michaelsadmirably well.
Saturday Night
Starring: Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, and Yura Borisov
One of the most celebrated movies of the year and the most recent winner of the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or, no less than one of the most prestigious awards in the film industry,Anorais being called by somenot only Sean Baker’s best film, but the best film of 2024 all around. What starts out as a charming rom-comà laPretty Womansuddenly turns into anUncut Gems-like thriller, only to become a gut-wrenching character drama in the end.
Anorafeels richly lived-in, incredibly complex, and emotionally riveting in every way.
One of thebest movies by beloved indie studio NEON,Anorafeels richly lived-in, incredibly complex, and emotionally riveting in every way. All of these qualities owe an awful lot to the movie’s amazing cast.Mikey Madisonis unbelievably transcendental in a performance that’s sure to make her a massive star, classically-trained Russian actorYura Borisovcame out of nowhere and earned a much-deserved Oscar nod, andMark Eydelshteynis masterfully pathetic as the titular protagonist’s very-temporary husband.
4’The Brutalist'
Starring: Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce, and Felicity Jones
Nearly four hours, with a 15-minute intermission. A massive,highly experimental character piece with a comparatively minuscule budget. A work of art so complex and ambitious that, by all accounts, it shouldn’t have worked half as well as it did. These are all things thatThe Brutalistis, and that barely covers a fraction of everything thatBrady Corbet’s gargantuan masterpiece is.
The waythe movie breaks down the American Dreamis sensitive, layered, intelligent, and incredibly thought-provoking, but the rich thematic work isn’t the only thing that makesThe Brutalistone of the most commendable cinematic achievements of the past decade. It also has haunting music, gorgeous visuals, masterful direction, and a flawless cast.Adrien Brody’s cathartic performance is as sad as it is endearing,Guy Pearceis highly imposing yet occasionally quite funny, andFelicity Jones, despite not appearing in a huge chunk of the film, may just have the most powerful scene of acting from the whole 3-and-a-half-hour thing.
The Brutalist
3’Conclave'
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow
The Papal dramaConclaveis as much of an ensemble piece as it is a religious dissertation, a political thriller, and a near-masterpiece. It’s not often that a film comes along that not only deals intelligently and meaningfully with its subject matter (in this case, the Catholic Church as a human institution), but also with modern society and political systems at large.
One of2024’s best book adaptations,Conclavehas a twist that may not work for everyone, buteverything else has been pretty much universally praised for good reason. This, of course, includes its cast.Ralph Fiennesgives one of the best performances of his career as one of the most complex characters he’s ever played,Stanley TucciandJohn Lithgoware both fantastic, andIsabella Rossellinisteals scenes like it’s nobody’s business.
2’Challengers'
Starring: Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor
One of the most beloved and acclaimed films from last year,Challengersis as much of a sports drama as it is a steamy romance, and it works equally well on both fronts. It’s no small feat for a director to release two great movies in the same year, and with this andQueerunder his belt, Luca Guadagnino proves that he’s still very much got the spark.
The fact thatthe film got zero Oscar nominationsis one of the wildest mass snubs in the modern history of the Academy Awards, but also proof thatmovie awards honestly mean less than it’s made out to seem. What really cements that idea is the fact that the movie’s three leads, who have unbelievable chemistry and are pure actorial dynamite in their roles, weren’t Oscar-nominated. Zendaya is seductive and tortured and incredibly compelling,Mike Faistis rugged and vulnerable but very sneaky in his emotional power, andJosh O’Connor’s charm almost emanates through the screen. In terms of acting alone, it’s one of the most memorable trios of the 21st century.
Challengers
1’Sing Sing'
Starring: Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin, and Paul Raci
Sing Singis set in the titular correctional facility, focusing on the members of the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts program, which seeks to give incarcerated individuals a chance to find catharsis and redemption through theater. It stars the legendaryColman Domingoand the underratedPaul Racialongside a group of real alumni of the RTA playing themselves.
Raci is fantastic, andDomingo unsurprisingly gives what might just be the greatest and most transcendental acting performance of 2024, but the real surprises ofSing Singare its other supporting cast members. The fact that a large group of non-professional actors, whereClarence Maclin(who also co-wrote the movie) stands out as a breakout star to look out for, were able to find such strong chemistry and deliver such strong and impactful individual performances is a testament to the movie’s message: That there is no force at humans' disposal more powerful than art.
