This year marks a significant milestone for the Oscars with the introduction of a Best Casting category, a change that many believe is long overdue. The films shortlisted for this new category are commendable, though there are some notable omissions, such as Black Bag, Companion, Splitsville, and One of Them Days. Many of the films featured in the Best Casting category are represented in this discussion of standout supporting performances.
Odessa A’zion
Following in the footsteps of her mother Pamela Adlon and sister Gideon Adlon, Odessa A’zion has made a name for herself in the industry. You may recall her role as Daisy Edgar-Jones’ friend in Fresh Kills or as one of the victims in Until Dawn. In Marty Supreme, she truly shines as the married neighbor who becomes pregnant by Marty. Rather than languish for the man who is preoccupied with table tennis, she takes decisive action, showcasing a quiet strength that overshadows her more glamorous co-stars.
Miles Caton
Miles Caton’s debut in Sinners is hard to believe, given the impressive performance he delivers as a determined blues musician striving for independence despite familial pressures. His rendition of “I Lied to You” is a standout moment that elevates the film. While Ryan Coogler’s movie features several strong performances, including a notable turn by Delroy Lindo, Caton’s portrayal is particularly memorable.
Jacob Elordi
Jacob Elordi successfully steps away from his role as Nate Jacobs, taking on the complex character of the creature in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. While he is not the first actor to elicit sympathy for this iconic figure, he infuses the role with emotional depth that enriches the narrative, transforming what could have been a series of stunning visuals into a compelling story.
Ariana Grande
Portraying Glinda in Wicked: For Good is a challenging task that Ariana Grande undertakes with finesse. Although the filmmakers may have allowed the character too much freedom, Grande’s performance as the witch who gradually embraces her destiny as Oz’s savior is commendable. As the song suggests, her encounter with Glinda leads to profound personal transformation.
Sally Hawkins
Sally Hawkins’ portrayal in Bring Her Back deserves more recognition. In the horror film directed by the Philippou brothers, she plays an Australian mother whose seemingly restrained demeanor hides a desperate quest to find a replacement for her drowned daughter, resorting to horrific actions driven by love. This complexity makes her character a tragic figure.
Nina Hoss
Nina Hoss, known to English-speaking audiences from her roles in The Contractor and Tár, delivers an outstanding performance in Hedda. Portraying a gender-flipped version of Ibsen’s scholar, she infuses the film with intensity as Hedda Gabler’s alcoholic ex, grappling with despair as her life’s work crumbles around her.
David Jonsson
In The Long Walk, David Jonsson’s character is initially fated to die, yet altering this outcome allows him to shine as the last young man standing amid relentless turmoil. His poignant speech urging Cooper Hoffman to forgo vengeance is beautifully crafted, even as he ultimately succumbs to that very darkness.
Amy Madigan
While some may criticize the simplistic nature of her role in Weapons, Amy Madigan’s execution is undeniably compelling. Her reaction, “Oh, no,” when confronted with a child’s broken curse, is a memorable moment that resonates deeply.
Paul Mescal
Paul Mescal’s portrayal of the ghost of Hamlet’s father in the play within Hamnet is remarkable enough to earn him a spot on this list. His role as Will Shakespeare, a grieving father channeling his sorrow into art, showcases his talent in delivering emotionally charged lines that linger with the audience.
Sean Penn
While Benicio del Toro’s cool character in One Battle After Another could have easily made this list, Sean Penn’s performance as the antagonist carries more narrative weight. His vitriolic disdain for people of color makes him a vivid presence, yet beneath that anger lies a deeply flawed individual whose inability to confront his own identity leads to his misery and that of those around him.
Amanda Seyfried
The Housemaid may not be a film that garners significant attention from Oscar voters, yet Amanda Seyfried’s portrayal of a mentally unstable and potentially murderous housewife is intricately layered. Despite being burdened with extensive voiceover narration, she commands the screen with her performance.
Stellan Skarsgård
Should the Academy choose to honor Stellan Skarsgård’s performance in Sentimental Value with a lifetime achievement award, it would be well-deserved. The Norwegian film features strong performances from Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas and Elle Fanning, but Skarsgård’s portrayal of a world-renowned artist grappling with his family dynamics is particularly noteworthy.
Honorable mentions include Chris Evans in Materialists, Ana de Armas in Eden, Ana Sophia Heger in She Rides Shotgun, Kate McKinnon and Andy Samberg in The Roses, Natalie Morales in My Dead Friend Zoe, Jack Quaid in Companion, Margaret Qualley in Blue Moon, Adam Sandler in Jay Kelly, Jake Weber in Self-Help, and Jeffrey Wright in Highest 2 Lowest.
