When it comes to the SAWards, there may be no categories that shine brighter than Best Character and Best Movie Moment. What the Oscars does is all well and good—we do many of the same categories, of course—but we can’t just let a good year go by without talking about the characters and those all-so-special movie moments.
Best Movie Characters
Disclaimer: I don’t think there’s a hard and fast rule about movie character eligibility, but I have my own set of internal rules and they appear to be largely followed by others on the site. I choose to nominate characters who are appearing on screen either for the first time ever or in some new iteration at least. The nominee must also be fictional—for example, I didn’t think Robert Oppenheimer should be a character nominee last year, and it appears my cohorts felt the same.
With these rules in mind, Paul Atreides is ruled out as a character here, but Feyd Rautha is on the board. The entire cast of Sing Sing is out as they are all portraying real people. Maxine Minx is out, but Count Orlok is definitely up for consideration. You get the drift.
Also, fair warning, THERE BE SPOILERS AHEAD. It is impossible to talk about characters and movie moments without entering spoiler territory. If you see a headline referencing a character or moment from a movie you haven’t seen and you don’t want to read spoilers, DO NOT READ THE ACCOMPANYING PARAGRAPH. Seriously, save yourself the trouble.
Longlegs (Longlegs)
While I found myself disappointed with the movie overall, there’s no doubt that Longlegs the character left his mark on pop culture in 2024, as much outside the movie as in it. Nicolas Cage’s radical transformation for the role and the creepy singing style have made Longlegs a standout.
Glinda (Wicked)
A lot of people had concerns going into Wicked about whether Ariana Grande could pull off Glinda; but those concerns were proven unnecessary on the screen. Glinda steals the show in Wicked as the vapid but heartfelt support to Elphaba and great comedic moments. Add in the iconography of the character and this is one that is going to stick with us far beyond 2024.
Benji Kaplan (A Real Pain)
When we watched A Real Pain earlier this month, I couldn’t help but find Benji very much like one of my past colleagues, which added an immediate authenticity to the role for me. Benji is wildly charming and also volatile—you feel the same way when Jesse Eisenberg speaks out about how he both loves and hates his cousin who lights up every room and then sets it on fire.
Mr. Reed (Heretic)
What if a Reddit atheist turned into a horror villain? Mr. Reed is an unforgettable character thanks to Hugh Grant going all in on the performance. A man obsessed with the unlikelihood of one true religion, Mr. Reed is constantly delivering epic monologues about how everything is an iteration, he’s singing Creep, he’s doing bad JarJar Binks impressions. He’s hilarious and yet intimidating.
Jean Kayak/The Beavers (Hundreds of Beavers)
This movie has gotten a lot of attention from us already, and the main character Jean Kayak, a ruined applejack salesman who must learn how to hunt beavers to survive and ultimately win the girl, is the propulsion that keeps the slapstick silent film going. But honestly, it’s the titular hundreds of beavers that really steal the show.
Terry Richmond (Rebel Ridge)
Terry Richmond is one of the cooler action characters to come along in years. He has a quiet intensity and his particular set of skills focused on a nonviolent approach make all of his action scenes that much better since he isn’t just doing what every other action hero does. He spends more time unloading guns in this movie than shooting them, and that makes his character badass.
Thelma (Thelma)
Subverting the classic noir tropes by making the lead a 90-year-old woman is brilliant, and June Squibb as Thelma delivers the requisite spunk and stubbornness to make a lasting impression.
The Lady (Strange Darling)
When we’re dropped into Strange Darling, we don’t know what exactly to think of The Lady as we see her first having a conversation about a one-night stand and then running for her life from the man she slept with. But the nonlinear story gradually reveals new layers to the character and Willa Fitzgerald delivers a performance makes The Lady one of the more complex and interesting characters of the year.
Anxiety (Inside Out 2)
The reason that Inside Out 2 works as well as it does is the introduction of Anxiety as the antagonist. The other new characters don’t get a chance to shine bright like she does. I was glad that, for the most part, Anxiety is treated as a legit villain even if her intentions are good. Anxiety is not quite useful the way sadness is. But in 2025, Anxiety is a character most of us are probably familiar with in our own lives, and seeing that personified on screen was a delight.
Anora (Anora)
Anora, who goes by Ani, is tough as nails and in control as a New York City sex worker, and funny too. Foul-mouthed and fiercely fighting for herself, it isn’t until the film’s final moments that we see the real Anora begin to shine through as the shell of “Ani” begins to crack.
Best Movie Moment
Sandworm Ride (Dune: Part Two)
There’s a lot going on in the world of Dune, but there’s no denying that the giant worms are the standout. It was only a matter of time before Timmy Chalamet had his moment riding a worm, but Dune: Part One disappointingly didn’t go there. Dune 2 delivered though, and the way director Denis Villeneuve delivered on the scene didn’t disappoint, choosing to focus on the insane sand and wind whipping past Paul Atreides as he attempts to mount the worm, which really bolstered the intensity of the moment.
The Greatest Dam Escape in Film History (Hundreds of Beavers)
If you’ve been paying attention to SAW recently, we’ve been praising this movie left and right for its endless stream of visual gags. And they all pay off in the final 15 minutes or so of the movie when Jean Kayak finds himself in the beaver’s dam, leading to a gonzo feast of gags and action that has to be seen to be believed.
Putting you through your P.A.C.E.S. (Rebel Ridge)
We get the feeling throughout the beginning of Rebel Ridge that Terry Richmond is a simmering badass, and the movie finally rewards us with this scene where Richmond calmly explains to the corrupt police chief about the acronym P.A.C.E. and how the officers have pushed him to escalate the situation. It’s great that Terry’s confrontation with the chief intercuts with the officers inside learning that Richmond is literally on the Wikipedia page for the Marine martial arts training. And Richmond delivers what we’ve all been waiting for in a uniquely nonviolent fashion.
What kind of American are you? (Civil War)
No matter what you thought of Civil War, this scene gripped everybody who watched it. Jesse Plemons shows up so briefly, in his red-tinted sunglasses, and introduces us to a chillingly chaotic psychopath. As our heroes plead with him that they’re American, he iconically asks “What kind of American are you?” There’s a sense that the wrong answer will lead to someone getting shot, but just as much a sense that there is no right answer.
Mirror, Mirror (The Substance)
There are a ton of gonzo scenes in The Substance that could represent the film, but the one scene that has gotten the most buzz is Demi Moore trying to get ready for a date with a very average man she used to go to school with. She returns to the mirror again and again trying to change her makeup, paralyzed by unhappiness with her reflection. She ultimately smears her makeup all over her face in frustration in a moment that has rang true for so many women who have watched, a testament to the power of this movie.
Defying Gravity (Wicked)
Defying Gravity is everyone’s favorite song from the Broadway show, and everyone knew the movie was all building up to this moment. And Cynthia Erivo’s version of Elphaba delivers, belting out the classic song with new epic flare. We also get Elphaba in full Wicked Witch regalia for the first time, zipping all around the Emerald City on her broom. It makes for a rousing sendoff while we await part two.
Iterations (Heretic)
If all of Heretic were like this scene, it would maybe be my favorite movie of the year. Mr. Reed brings his two mormon visitors into his home and begins his monologue about Monopoly, “The Air That I Breathe”/”Creep”, and Jesus and Jar Jar Binks. His argument: that religion, like these games and songs and stories, is nothing more than new iterations on a classic idea. Hugh Grant’s delivery is hypnotic and pulls you. in for the entire scene.
*Final match (Challengers)
I still haven’t seen Challengers, but I wanted to throw in the idea that this scene is likely to make it in, as many people have talked about how great of a payoff it is. And SAW writers mostly love Challengers, so I’d expect to see this get a nomination.
Courtroom transformation (Red Rooms)
I am going to avoid spoiling this too much as I know far fewer people have seen Red Rooms, but there is a scene in the courtroom later in the movie involving the main character that has stuck with me. A shocking, disturbing turn that will have you going “WTF?”
