The Rolling Stone list honors actors who brought unforgettable intensity, complexity, and sheer talent to the screen. The list, which names 17 outstanding performances, confirms the frontrunners for the upcoming Academy Awards while providing crucial recognition to international and independent stars.
The Most Talked-About Triumphs
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Daniel Day-Lewis – Anemone: The biggest surprise of the year was the inclusion of Daniel Day-Lewis, who was honored for his intense performance in Anemone. His work marked a rare return to acting after his 2017 retirement, co-writing and starring in the psychological drama directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis. Critics noted that the sheer force and command of his performance, particularly as a man confessing painful past sins, remains undiminished.
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Michael B. Jordan – Sinners: Michael B. Jordan was recognized for his raw, acclaimed dual performance as twin brothers Smoke and Stack in Ryan Coogler’s visceral crime drama. Critics hailed the roles as his most nuanced to date, with his mastery of distinct physicality and a thick Southern drawl cementing him as a major dramatic contender this season.
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Jessie Buckley – Hamnet: Buckley was honored for her intensely emotional and “volcanic” portrayal of Agnes Hathaway, William Shakespeare’s wife, in Chloé Zhao’s adaptation. Her performance, centered on profound grief and a mystical connection to nature, has been consistently cited as a career-best, further cementing her status as an awards favorite.
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Jennifer Lawrence – Die My Love: The Oscar winner was honored for her intense lead role in Die My Love, based on the literary sensation. Lawrence is garnering universal praise for her emotional commitment in the harrowing film about a woman’s struggle with mental illness.
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Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein: Elordi earned recognition for his physically demanding and nuanced portrayal of The Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s epic gothic horror adaptation. The acknowledgment solidifies the young actor’s successful transition from teen star to critically acclaimed auteur collaborator.
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Keanu Reeves – Good Fortune: Reeves was recognized for his highly praised comedic turn as a well-meaning angel in Aziz Ansari’s directorial debut, demonstrating a surprising, yet welcome, shift in genre for the action star.
Ensemble and Supporting Excellence
Rolling Stone’s list highlighted several pairs and ensembles whose chemistry and combined talent elevated their films:
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Sean Penn and Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another: The list celebrated the potent dynamic between Sean Penn and breakthrough star Teyana Taylor in Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller. Their contrasting performance were deemed essential to the film’s chaotic success.
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Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett – Black Bag: The combination of two Oscar heavyweights was cited for their complex, high-stakes, morally ambiguous partnership in the Steven Soderbergh-directed espionage thriller.
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Liev Schreiber and Vincent D’Onofrio – Caught Stealing: The veterans were praised for their scene-stealing turns as the Drucker brothers, two homicidal Hasidic mobsters in Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing, proving the power of supporting roles to elevate a film.
Standouts in International and Indie Film
The list also validated crucial performances from international and independent films:
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Lee Byung-hun – No Other Choice: The Korean star earned recognition for his lead role in Park Chan-wook’s acclaimed thriller, highlighting the strength of South Korean cinema this year.
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Joel Edgerton – Train Dreams: Edgerton’s sensitive lead performance in the historical drama based on the Denis Johnson novella was recognized, providing a boost to the indie film’s quiet, powerful campaign.
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Amy Madigan – Weapons: Madigan’s chilling, memorable performance in the horror film Weapons received recognition, underscoring the critics’ willingness to honor powerful acting in the genre space.
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Margaret Qualley – Honey Don’t!: Qualley was honored for her role in the comedy, confirming her continued versatility and artistic risk-taking.
The Rolling Stone list serves as the definitive final word on the best acting of the year, confirming the diversity and high caliber of talent competing for Hollywood’s top prizes.
