Great performances don’t just entertain—they resonate, haunt, and sometimes even redefine what we expect from an actor. Every year, a handful of performances transcend mere acting and become something truly unforgettable—transforming films, elevating storytelling, and leaving audiences in awe. In 2024, we saw performances that pushed boundaries, breathed life into complex characters, and made films unforgettable. It was an insane year that rewarded film lovers with a bounty of riches. Horror saw an influx of quality work from a number of actors and the more prestige films had so many great performances, it felt like it was anyone’s night at the Oscars. Some shattered expectations, some cemented their legendary status, and others became the faces of a new generation. Here are the performances that truly defined cinema in 2024.
These are the 50 Best Movie Performances of 2024.
50. Josh Hartnett as Cooper in Trap
Trap is a perfect example of Shyamalan the writer bumping up against Shyamalan the director. All of the negatives (minus casting his horribly untalented daughter as the Taylor Swift type singer at the center of things) come down to the writing. If the script was better, this could’ve been a fun thriller but because it’s so laughably stupid, the only enjoyment comes from Josh Hartnett’s lead performance which is genuinely fun. As Cooper Abbott, a seemingly ordinary father who harbors a dark secret as the infamous serial killer “The Butcher,” Hartnett masterfully balances charm, vulnerability, and menace. His ability to switch between these layers—sometimes within the same scene—creates an unsettling tension that keeps the audience on edge. What makes his performance particularly compelling is how natural he makes Cooper’s duality feel. When he’s interacting with his daughter, he exudes warmth and concern, making it easy to believe in his facade. Shyamalan may not be the best director but he can still manage to get amazing performances from his actors (most of the time), and while it’s not on the same level as anyone from The Sixth Sense or Unbreakable, Hartnett is still nevertheless bringing his A game.
49. Javier Bardem as Stilgar in Dune: Part Two
In Dune: Part Two, Javier Bardem delivers a standout performance as Stilgar, the Fremen leader. He masterfully balances the character’s stern leadership with moments of warmth and humor, adding depth to the role. This nuanced portrayal makes Stilgar both endearing and, at times, intimidating, especially in his unwavering devotion to Paul Atreides. Bardem’s ability to seamlessly transition between lightheartedness and solemnity enriches the narrative, providing much-needed levity without compromising the story’s gravity. Any other director would’ve cast Bardem in any one of the many villain roles due to the actor’s proclivity towards the dark side but Villeneuve knew Stilgar needed an actor of immense intensity which Bardem can do in his sleep. It’s not a big role but it’s an essential part of the narrative that Bardem utterly owns.
48. Dennis Quaid as Harvey in The Substance
While I’m sad that we were robbed of another great performance from the late Ray Liotta, his unfortunate passing left the door open for Dennis Quaid, who honestly needed the bump more than Liotta. Quaid has always had an awful career punctuated with occasional greatness. He’s either cursed or simply has the worst agent in history. I’m glad Fargeat recognized his talents because few directors would’ve even considered him and he might be the most entertaining part of the film. He completely embraces the over-the-top, almost campy portrayal of a predatory industry figure. His depiction is both unsettling and darkly humorous, adding a layer of satire to the film’s critique of Hollywood’s obsession with youth and beauty. Quaid’s commitment to the character’s repulsive nature enhances the film’s impact, making his performance an undeniable standout.
47. Justice Smith as Owen in I Saw the TV Glow
I do not think Justice Smith is a good actor. I haven’t seen everything he’s done but of the things I have seen, he’s always the blandest thing on screen whenever he shows up. And for the majority of I Saw the TV Glow‘s runtime, I thought he was miscast. Throughout the film, he has a flat, monotone delivery and it feels as if he’s incapable of communicating any sort of emotion. As if he was a mannequin who was turned into a man through a wizard’s spell who then got shot by a tranq dart that’s slowly taking effect as the film goes on. But then the freakout at the end happened and it all clicked. That scene recontextualized his entire performance. I still don’t think he’s a good actor but he’s perfectly cast as a young man stuck in a life and body that is not his own. Normally, his mumbly line delivery and his meek persona are negatives but in this, they’re the film’s greatest strength.
46. Hunter Schafer as Gretchen in Cuckoo
Cuckoo is a mess of a film that only works in fits and starts but is still worth watching for three reasons: 1. Tilman Singer’s direction 2. Dan Stevens and 3. Hunter Schafer. Singer directs the hell out of this thing. His screenplay is wonky and doesn’t entirely work (I’m still unclear on what exactly is going on in the thing) but the Lynchian vibes are immaculate. Stevens always delivers a fun performance, so that’s to be expected but the real stand out is relative newcomer Schafer. I haven’t seen Euphoria or that unnecessary Hunger Games prequel, so this is my first exposure to her and it’s a damn good almost debut.
She plays Gretchen, a 17-year-old American navigating the eerie confines of a Bavarian alpine resort where weird things are afoot. Due to the fact that she’s trying to navigate the trauma of having lost her mother, while also dealing with her new home (while also having to handle a family that is just the worst), her character is a bit much to deal with at times but it’s never not realistic. There’s a fine line between annoying, stupid and relatable and somehow Schafer expertly walks it. Vulture included her in their list of the 17 Best Film Performances of 2024 and while I think that’s a bit too high, I love that they acknowledged how great she actually is.
45. James McAvoy as Paddy in Speak No Evil
You can gauge how impactful a foreign horror film is based on how quickly the American remake gets greenlit. Speak No Evil feels like it came out yesterday and yet the remake is already available on Blu-ray. More of a psychological thriller than outright horror film, the original is a future Danish classic that delves into the unease and discomfort that can arise from cultural differences, social etiquette, and the terrifying consequences of failing to heed one’s instincts. It’s a brutal and unflinching look at real evil that has an ending that’s unforgettable.
Which is why horror fans were incensed that anyone would even try and top it. They were partially right in the sense that the remake isn’t as good but it does have one thing going for it that equals the original: an unhinged performance by James McAvoy. He masterfully balances charm and menace, creating a character that is both engaging and deeply unsettling. With Split, It: Chapter Two and now this, it seems like he’s starting to pivot to horror and I can’t wait.
44. Édouard Baer as Salvador Dalí in Daaaaaalí!
Despite being portrayed by three of the best actors in the world (Robert Pattinson, Ben Kingsley, Adrien Brody), Salvador Dalí has never had a biopic worthy of his brilliant and eccentric life. Enter Quentin Dupieux, the only director almost as crazy as Dalí himself. Daaaaaalí! is a surrealist odyssey that defies conventional narrative, much like the works of the iconic artist it references. In addition to its vignette style narrative that unfolds like a dream, it’s other notable gimmick is the fact that multiple actors play Dalí. Gilles Lellouche, Édouard Baer, Jonathan Cohen, Pio Marmaï and Didier Flamand all play him at various ages. While all the actors do a great job of portraying the oddball artist, it’s Baer that comes the closest to channeling his essence. He has his eccentricity, flamboyance and unpredictable temperamental behavior down to a T. Sometimes it feels as if he’s being possessed by the ghost of Dalí himself, that’s how good it is.
43. June Squibb as Thelma Post in Thelma
June Squibb has been a mainstay in film and television since the mid-1980s, yet she has always been part of the ensemble and never the lead. What’s that saying they use at weddings — Always a bridesmaid, never a bride? Well, that basically summed up Squibb’s filmography. Even after earning an Oscar nomination for work in Nebraska, it still took another decade before someone decided, “Hey, let’s have Squibb lead her own movie.”
Anyone with an elderly mom or grandma will see a bit of themselves in Thelma’s daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. The world has changed quite a bit since Thelma was young and with it, especially just over the last decade. Squibb never misses a beat playing Thelma Post. As whip-smart as she is forgetful, as cunning as she is slow, Thelma is a stellar showcase for Squibb that left half of Hollywood scratching their head and wondering, “Why didn’t we cast her in more leading roles sooner?”
–Marmaduke Karlston
42. Maika Monroe as Lee Harker in Longlegs
While Nic Cage ended up dominating every discussion about the film, the actual MVP of Longlegs is Maika Monroe. Much like Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs (the film this draws the most inspiration from), Cage is barely in this. He probably has about fifteen minutes of screen time and while he makes every second count, the film is carried by the weight of Monroe’s performance. She plays FBI Agent Lee Harker, a young psychic who uses her intuition and supernatural abilities to help find an elusive Satan worshipping serial killer.
That sounds like a lot (and it is) but her nuanced portrayal of a character marked by past traumas and unwavering determination is the only thing that grounds the film in reality. Which is saying something because again, she’s a medium of sorts. Her ability to convey a blend of vulnerability and resilience adds significant depth to the narrative. She easily holds her own against Cage, Shipka and Witt (the latter of which easily could’ve made this list), which further cements her reputation as a leading figure in contemporary horror cinema.
41. Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence in Conclave
I truly believe that the Academy nominated Fiennes for Conclave because they knew they fucked up not nominating him for The Grand Budapest Hotel. Either that or they simply didn’t see Queer because that’s definitely the better and more deserving nomination. I’m not saying Fiennes is bad in Conclave (he’s on the list for a reason) but he’s given far better performances. I would say he’s actually the least interesting thing about it but Isabella Rossellini is also in this and somehow also received a nomination despite having about five minutes of screentime. Even though I’m salty about Craig’s snub, I am happy the Academy went with a subtle performance because they tend to gravitate towards the more bombastic and flashy performances of any given year. The role requires Fiennes to play it internally — his ability to convey deep emotion without ever raising his voice above almost a whisper is a true testament of his skills. It isn’t worthy of a nomination but it’s still damn good.
40-31
What are some of your favorite movie performances from 2024? Maybe they will show up later in the list!
