17 Best Movie Performances of 2025
2025 gave us some unforgettable movie moments — the kind that make you laugh, cry, and sit in complete awe as the credits roll. From legendary actors returning to the spotlight to rising stars delivering the best work of their careers, this year was packed with powerful, emotional, and wildly creative performances.
Here’s a friendly, easy-to-read breakdown of the 17 best movie performances of 2025 — the roles audiences and critics can’t stop talking about.
Michael B. Jordan in Sinners
Playing identical twins is hard. Playing them so convincingly that viewers wonder if two different actors are on screen is next-level.
Michael B. Jordan delivers two fully realized characters — Smoke and Stack — in Ryan Coogler’s Southern gothic tale filled with blues music, vampires, and heartbreaking brotherhood. Their showdown becomes the emotional core of the film, making Jordan worthy of being counted twice.
Jessie Buckley in Hamnet
Jessie Buckley is magnetic as Agnes, a mother grieving the death of her son. She moves seamlessly between quiet pain and raw emotional collapse. Her performance — from her gut-wrenching scream to her healing moment inside the Globe Theatre — is already being talked about as one of the finest of her generation.
Sean Penn & Teyana Taylor in One Battle After Another
This unexpected pairing powers the first act of Paul Thomas Anderson’s political epic. Taylor leads with fierce determination, while Penn plays a morally twisted figure obsessed with her strength. Their electric dynamic sets the tone for the entire film.
Jennifer Lawrence in Die My Love
Jennifer Lawrence goes all-in as a mother spiraling into madness. She’s fearless, unpredictable, and completely immersed in the character’s unraveling mind. Her performance feels so free and uninhibited that it’s impossible to look away.
Daniel Day-Lewis in Anemone
The legendary actor returns after eight years — and it’s like he never left. As a reclusive ex-soldier confronting painful memories, Daniel Day-Lewis delivers a masterclass in subtlety, emotion, and character depth. If this ends up being his final role, it’s a stunning farewell.
Michael Fassbender & Cate Blanchett in Black Bag
This spy thriller works because of its two stars.
Fassbender and Blanchett play married intelligence agents caught between love and suspicion. Their chemistry crackles in every scene — blending espionage tension with marital complexity in a way that makes the film unforgettable.
Joel Edgerton in Train Dreams
Joel Edgerton shines as Robert Granier, a quiet laborer navigating hardship in early-20th-century America. His restrained performance reveals layers of vulnerability and strength, making the character both timeless and deeply human.
Amy Madigan in Weapons
As Aunt Gladys — a creepy, campy, unforgettable presence — Amy Madigan steals the show. She balances humor and menace perfectly, creating a villain who’s as entertaining as she is unsettling.
Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein
Jacob Elordi brings fragile vulnerability and simmering rage to Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited version of Frankenstein. His expressive eyes and physical transformation make the creature feel heartbreakingly real.
Lee Byung-hun in No Other Choice
Lee Byung-hun delivers a darkly funny and gripping performance as a desperate man pushed to extremes. Watching his transformation from a mild-mannered worker to a man fighting for survival is both entertaining and chilling.
Margaret Qualley in Honey Don’t!
Margaret Qualley’s witty, offbeat private investigator adds charm and humor to this pulp-styled adventure. Her blend of classic noir swagger and modern quirkiness makes her the film’s standout.
Keanu Reeves in Good Fortune
Keanu Reeves is hilarious and deeply lovable as an angel forced to live as a human. His reactions to everyday sensations — from tasting food to facing disappointment — turn the film into a joyful surprise.
Liev Schreiber & Vincent D’Onofrio in Caught Stealing
This villainous duo steals the final act. Playing dangerous yet oddly charming mobster brothers, Schreiber and D’Onofrio transform what could have been caricatures into a memorable dark-comedy masterclass.
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