Some of them might even still surprise us (pulling for you,Dev Patel!)
She’s stoic, heartbreaking, human and makes it clear that there is only one truth.
If she’s evolving into a new Kristen Stewart, this is her pivotal transition.
Jodie Comer in ‘The Last Duel’.Patrick Redmond/20th Century Studios/Courtesy Everett Collection
But it’s his hollow-eyed, haunted turn inPaul Schrader’sgambling thriller that we love the most.
But Isaac finds a new way to illuminate from within, especially afterTiffany Haddishenters the picture.
(Which Lie can provide for you; he’s also a practicing MD).
Dakota Johnson in ‘The Lost Daughter’.NETFLIX
The (typically supporting) comedian sprints with this rare opportunity to sink his teeth into a lead role.
He’s still got ‘em.
Her character is floating in that singular way you do in your twenties.
Oscar Isaac in ‘The Card Counter’.Focus Features
She doesn’t quite know what she wants.
Maybe it’s a fawning partner in crime (Cooper Hoffman).
Maybe it’s an over-the-hill celeb (Sean Penn).
Milena Smit and Penélope Cruz in ‘Parallel Mothers’.El Deseo/Iglesias Más/Sony Pictures Classics
Maybe it’s a job that doesn’t involve ass-grabbing.
Watching her wobble between options wasone of the year’s distinct pleasures.
LG
Kathryn Hunter,The Tragedy of Macbeth
Which witch?
Ben Affleck in ‘The Last Duel’.Jessica Forde/20th Century Studios
He somehow manages to convey the exquisite torture of knowing too much and not enough in an impossible situation.
Hidetoshi Nishijima and Tōko Miura in ‘Drive My Car’.Everett Collection
Neon/Courtesy Everett Collection
Dev Patel in ‘The Green Knight’.Eric Zachanowich / A24 Films
Simon Rex in ‘Red Rocket’.A24
Nicolas Cage ‘Pig’.David Reamer/Neon
Alana Haim in ‘Licorice Pizza’.MGM
Clifton Collins, Jr. in ‘Jockey.'.Courtesy of TIFF
Kathryn Hunter in ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’.Apple TV+
Peter Dinklage in ‘Cyrano’.Peter Mountain/Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures
Mahershala Ali in ‘Swan Song’.Apple TV+.
