Entertainment
The Best Performances of 2024 in Films
A performance lingers in the mind’s eye even after the black curtain has been drawn in a show. Well, in a year of many successes for both film and TV, there are only a few performances that have managed to stand. These never were just performances, these were compassion, and these were hope and strength.
In 2024 we have had many great movies and great acting performances and roles. As the year comes to a close and the awards season approaches, film enthusiasts have been well-fed. It is that time of the year when movie lovers start getting ready with their ‘Best of the Year’ lists.
Most of the notable performances this year so far have been Dune: Part Two, Challengers, Furiosa and Strange Darling. There are still many releases set within the next month, and several stunning performances have been glimpsed.
As 2024 comes to an end, the following are 5 of the notable performances for the best films and TV of the year.
5 Standout Performances From 2024’s Best Movies
Let’s start with the best performances in movies!
#5 Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle in ‘The Substance’
Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance is not your average body horror. It’s rather a dramatising of societal expectations of women, based on stereotypes that do not concern men. It doesn’t try to avoid the point that women’s appearance, age, and abilities are all viewed in some sociocultural crinoline. This viewpoint is unappealing and in fact unjust.
The film revolves around a character called Elisabeth Sparkle, a former star who loses her role in a sensational aerobics program. That too on her 50th birthday by her cold-hearted producer. When offered a mysterious substance claiming to become a better version of yourself, she craves the possibility of being young and attractive all over again.
#4 Zendaya as Tashi Donaldson in ‘Challengers’
Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers is a superb stylish, sexy drama centered on the game of tennis. The story revolves around a former tennis player Tashi Donaldson who has shaped her husband Art into a well-known Grand Slam champion. To get him back on track after he lost three matches in a row, she seeks a place at the Challengers court. Things become challenging for Art as he finds Patrick who is his best friend and Tashi’s ex-lover, in the game.
Zendaya is once more looking classy and glamorous in the film. Although the role she plays is much more cynical, in her most recent outing as Tashi in the film Challengers. Her chemistry with co-stars Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor is impressive. In Zandeya’s other performances in Euphoria, the actress showed her abilities quite well and Jovian-like scales. But, here in Challengers, it’s impressive how Zandeya has improved as an actress in all aspects.
#3 Timothee Chalamet as Paul Atreidas in ‘Dune: Part Two’
Both of the Dune movies directed by Denis Villeneuve performed admirably at the box office throughout the world. It attracted the attention of many well-known actors.
Starring an almost unrecognizable Timothee Chalamet, Dune: Part Two depicts the events of the second half of Herbet’s book. In this section, Paul Atreides and his mother Jessica, together with Chani and Fremen, pursue their enemies. Paul is not only on a quest to save a woman; he is the only one who can foresee the future.
Timothee Chalamet has shocked his fans by never performing badly. Due to his quite slim body, it never seems an obstacle to Timothee getting immersed into any character. This is once again true in his second movie when he stood as Duke Paul Atreides. He invests himself completely in the tumultuous emotions of his character and performs quite well in the film.
#2 Hugh Grant as Mr. Reed in ‘Heretic’
Religious horror is a common subgenre. Scott Beck and Brayn Woods have a subtle take on religious issues which is different from the rest filmmakers. The plot of this film centres around two young missionaries named Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton. They are members of the Latter Day Saints Church, going door to door to seek converts. Mr. Reed was another name in the queue for the Mormon girls, they knocked on his door hoping to convert him. But, what he offers him is much more than he expected.
Of all his contemporaries, Hugh Grant is the most recognisable and loved actor. He has mostly acted as the palatable leading man in rom-coms and dramas. Nowadays, he has tended to play rather sinister characters, like Jonathan Fraser in the series The Undoing. In Heretic, he embraced the role of a villain and transformed Mr Reed into an unsettling sociopath who is on the verge of being a theology professor.
#1 Nicolas Cage as Dale Kobble in ‘Longlegs’
The film Longlegs is a combination of horror and crime thriller. It was much awaited by many film enthusiasts in the coming year. The elaborate storyline of the film contributed to what was dubbed as ‘The scariest movie of the year’. This made many horror fans think that they would be ducking under their seats in the theatre.
The film centers around an FBI field agent Lee Harker portrayed by Maika Monroe, who chases a serial killer. It seems to be clear to her that only she can stop the killer from continuing his horrendous slaughter campaign.
Longlegs himself is performed by none other than Nicolas Cage. You can easily claim that there is no one quite like Cage when it comes to acting bonkers, weird, and psychopaths. Cage embodies Longlegs even in the first half of the film where he is blanketed under layers of makeup. It has been said by the filmmakers that Longlegs was supposed to be a former glam rocker who had a lot of plastic surgery to look good for the devil.
In Cage’s performance, we can see that steady hunger to please and impress the Devil. His years spent in the worship of the Devil and the practice of the occult have oozed normality out of him. And that is what Cage’s performance tells.
This week’s top new streaming movies include some of the most popular films today, the newest originals from leading streaming networks, as well as other less hyped-up films that many noticed came out in cinemas. There’s a variety of films spanning many genres up in Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Peacock, and Paramount+, many of which are just off their cinematic run. Some recently featured titles are also getting some recognition in the award season buzz.
This week still showcases some Christmas cheer to those impatient viewers who just cannot wait for the festive season. There are several Netflix productions such as Emilia Pérez that are starting to generate some anticipation due to the awards season. This is however the best week of the year for several people as it’s the release week for some of the most smashing blockbusters of the year: Transformers One, Twisters, and Deadpool & Wolverine.
#10 The Last Breath (2024)
Ever since Jaws showed us how interesting a shark movie can be, there has not really been a ‘good’ shark-related film after it which is universally appreciated and leaves a gap or potential like we saw in Under Paris’s recent effort. The Last Breath is an entertaining movie that makes viewers think thrice before entering the water but includes an interesting twist in how it tells its shark attack story. The Last Breath follows a group of college friends on a scuba diving trip in the Caribbean. All goes well until the group decides to investigate a WWII wrecked ship and unbeknownst to them, they are trapped and being stalked by sharks.
It is interesting to note that in The Last Breath, the ocean becomes as much a villain as the sharks in this narrative. The main characters have to make the horrible decision of either drowning in the sunken maze of the ship or getting eaten by the sharks in the confrontation. However, it does make for a suspenseful underwater thriller though still not able to match the Jaws.
#9 Hot Frosty (2024)
When it comes to the Christmas period, Netflix’s catalogue has several good and cozy options that I feel will find their way to people as the familiar annual collection of Christmas rom-coms has already begun in the year 2024. But no other film will probably ever beating the outrageous concept of Hot Frosty. One of the stars Lacey Chabert portrays a widow called Cathy who is not so much of a fan of Christmas and her problems are consistently solved by turning a magic snowman into a hot nice guy.
The movie goes headfirst in this merry premise with Dustin Milligan portraying Jack Snowman providing both humor and charm in the role. Some other comedic actors who feature in the film are also very notable; for example, Craig Robinson plays the sheriff who is trying to get to the root of Jack’s mysterious activities. This creates a wonderful and amusing approach to the festivities.
#8 Return Of The King: The Fall And Rise Of Elvis Presley (2024)
There are many amazing music documentaries in the world today, but there is something special about Elvis Presley that has lasted for several decades and therefore any film of him is worth watching. Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley is an account of an interesting and unique phase in Elvis’ career which transformed him into one of the biggest icons of world music.
The music-focused documentary looks at the era when Elvis’ music stopped resonating with the masses and he was slowly becoming well known as a family entertainer. But Elvis made an unforgettable comeback with an equally memorable television show which earned him the title ‘The King’. The interviews are interspersed with great footage of other legendary artists speaking about their love for Elvis, including Bruce Springsteen, and fans like Conan O’Brien.
#7 Close To You (2024)
After six years of absence from the big screen, Elliott Page comes back with a film called Close to You. Additionally, he made this film after transitioning into the character that he is today. Page returns home to celebrate his father’s birthday in Close to You. During the celebration, he encounters both his relatives and friends and learns how they feel about his decision to become a trans person.
The style of the film is intimate and very loose as if the viewer simply happens to be around the characters as they engage in highly spontaneous and unscripted chats. The page clearly portrays the private side of the ordeal in the film, answering many questions, criticisms or supportive comments which inevitably come in circumstances such as these.
#6 An Almost Christmas Story (2024)
For those still not prepared to settle down with the hour-and-a-half-long Christmas special can check out the shorter festive Christmas film which comes in the shape of An Almost Christmas Story. The animated movie depicts a young owl called Moon who is accidentally caught up in a tree chosen as the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree for the year. While finding his way around the big city, Moon meets and starts talking to a girl named Luna.
Although it is only a short film available on Disney+, there are some big names in the cast of An Almost Christmas Story. An and Two have co-written and directed the short film, David Lowery (The Green Knight) directed the film which was written in part by Alfonso Cuarón. It also features an incredible voice cast that includes Natasha Lyonne, John C. Reilly and Jim Gaffigan. It serves as a nice warm family Christmas collectible for viewers of all ages.
#5 Thelma (2024)
Thelma might be the most underappreciated film of the year; however, with it now streaming at home, new audiences should enjoy this delightful surprise. Oscar nominee June Squibb portrays Thelma, a widow who is swindled out of some money because of her goodness. Determined to show that she can function independently, she sets out to reclaim what was lost.
Although the movie may precisely be described as a revenge flick, it’s really about a woman who cherishes her life and aims to do all it takes to prove that she is not a liability. Squibb is wonderful in the lead role, and she manages to be funny, charming, and sweet all at the same time. Another great performance is given by the late Richard Roundtree as Thelma’s friend who is coerced into participating in the mission.
#4 Emilia Pérez (2024)
Every year, Netflix tries its level best to market one of its original films as an award-winning film during the award season. The film which seems to catch attention this time, and chances to sweep many nominations with it is the hyped musical titled Emilia Pérez. The main cast of the film Zoe Saldaña plays an unappreciated attorney bored of being at a dead-end and is approached by a powerful and dangerous drug kingpin named Emilia. The drug lord wants assistance in staging her death so that she can escape and fulfil her dreams.
The Emilia Pérez movie received a lot of positive reactions after its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival where it also took home the Jury Prize award and Best Actress award which was awarded to the four main actors of the film; Saldana, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz. Mixing music with crimes has never been done before and Emilia Pérez will undoubtedly not only be one of the most talked-about films of the Fall season but will also grab a lot of attention.
#3 Transformers One (2024)
Transformers has had its fair share of highs and lows over the decades as a franchise, but one thing that stood out about Transformers One was the fact that it catered to older fans and was animated. It is a prequel depicting the events behind Optimus Prime and Megatron in their prime friendship, on a planet named Cybertron, yet again, something goes haywire and the friends get all angry at each other and split up because they have got a ‘calling’.
Transformers movie fans have waited a long time for the action to be set in Cybertron and for the Transformers characters rather than the humans taking centre stage. Transformers One feels like accomplishing both and, oddly enough, seems like a good tale about two close friends growing apart. The voice cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry and Scarlett Johansson.
#2 Twisters (2024)
Fresh in the theatres across America, once a blockbuster this summer season is ‘Twisters.’ This movie comes after a long gap of 1996 and this movie was stuck because of the constant change of directors. This movie has a new generation of cast which features Daisy Edgar Jones, and Glen Powell amongst others which definitely excites the audience.
The film is interesting as it nicely ties in with the previous one but brings new levels of destruction as well. Nevertheless, the cast earns the highest praise – actors Edgar-Jones and Powell are among the brightest rising stars of Hollywood including Meryl Streep. They easily make Twisters exceed the expectations of the audience when it comes to storm disasters, which is the whole point of the franchise.
#1 Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
After an explosive performance at the box office which followed up with great audience reception, Deadpool & Wolverine is one of the most desirable streaming releases this year. This is the third movie in the Deadpool trilogy, but the first that puts the Merc with the Mouth voiced by Ryan Reynolds in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As expected, Deadpool did not come to Disney of his own accord, as the film is a multiverse tale with the perfect narrator, Deadpool, and his co-star Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine pursuing their dual motivations to not get wiped out.
It is amazing to watch Reynolds and Jackman bring their characters to life in such blood-filled and laughter-packed light. There are a lot of great action sequences where Deadpool and Wolverine exchange some truly funny lines. Along with Reynolds and Jackman, the movie features plenty of Wolverine and Deadpool & Wolverine cameos which are always guaranteed to be the best moments in the MCU.
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