{"id":61780,"date":"2025-11-24T18:06:39","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T22:06:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brazilianpress.com\/v1\/?p=61780"},"modified":"2025-11-24T18:06:39","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T22:06:39","slug":"awards-season-here-are-the-best-performances-of-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brazilianpress.com\/v1\/2025\/11\/24\/awards-season-here-are-the-best-performances-of-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Awards Season: Here Are the Best Performances of 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Roger Costa<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

WILLEM DAFOE<\/strong><\/p>\n

A formidable, versatile, hypnotizing performer, Willem Dafoe reaches perfection with his bohemian role in \u201cLate Fame\u201d directed by Kent Jones. Dafoe manages to deliver the most touching, profound and heartbreaking performance of the year as a once-poet who finds fame at a late circumstance. He grabs you by the heart, and the experience is unforgettable.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

DENZEL WASHINGTON<\/p>\n

Fact is he doesn\u2019t care about Oscars or prizes any longer. Fact is he said he doesn\u2019t watch movies anymore. However, Denzel delivered another mesmerizing work in Spike Lee\u2019s modern adaptation \u201cHighest To Lowest\u201d. As a famed music producer in a moral conflict when involved in a kidnapping, Denzel devours every bit of his role, reassuring us the reason we GO TO THE MOVIES!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

JESSE PLEMONS<\/p>\n

As the traumatized sociopathic in \u201cBugonia\u201d, Plemons proves to be among this generation\u2019s most committed performers, going on a bizarre, deeply intense transformation to deliver a masterclass in acting. The film is not so great, but Plemons is incendiary, dangerous, terrifyingly good.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

HARRY MELLING<\/p>\n

Embodying the queer emotional universe with truthfulness, grace and charisma as the lonely protagonist in \u201cPillion\u201d, Melling conquers the audience\u2019s heart with his touching and hilarious character. As he is experiencing a submissive, kinky love affair, the actor goes full-metal-radical with explicit sex, delivering the boldest and most courageous performance of the year. But it\u2019s the transition from rejection to acceptance that makes it remarkable, allowing him to shine immensely.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

ADAM BESSA<\/p>\n

A revelatory performance, Adam Bessa plays a Syrian refugee on a revenge spiral. Believing he met the man who tortured him in the past, he articulates a plan to avenge his dignity in \u201cGhost Trail\u201d, a taut French thriller. Bessa exudes in acting perfection.<\/p>\n

And\u2026. LEE BYUNG-HUN<\/u> \u201cNo Other Choice\u201d. WAGNER MOURA<\/u> \u201cThe Secret Agent\u201d. ABOU SANGARE<\/u> \u201cSouleymane\u2019s Story\u201d. JEAN-CHRISTOPHE FOLLY <\/u>\u201cGavagai\u201d. THEODORE PELLERIN <\/u>\u201cLurker\u201d. WILL ARNETT<\/u> \u201cIs This Thing On?\u201d. JOSH O\u2019CONNOR<\/u> \u201cThe Mastermind\u201d. EVERETT BLUNCK<\/u> \u201cGriffin In Summer\u201d. JOAQUIN PHOENIX<\/u> \u201cEddington\u201d. NICK OFFERMAN<\/u> \u201cSovereign\u201d. TIM ROBBINSON <\/u>\u201cFriendship\u201d. GEORGE CLOONEY<\/u> \u201cJay Kelly\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

JULIA ROBERTS<\/p>\n

As an intellectual psychiatrist at Yale, Julia Roberts is ravishing in \u201cAfter the Hunt\u201d, a twisted and racial spin on the me-too movement drama directed by Italian darling Luca Guadagnino. Though the film is not as good as it should be, Roberts carries it all on her shoulders, making it interesting and appealing. You just can\u2019t take your eyes away from her.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

ESZTER TOMPA<\/p>\n

Deeply melancholic and on a moral crisis, Eszter Tompa gives a lovely, affecting turn as a city worker struggling with consciousness in Radu Jude\u2019s satirical \u201cKontinental 25\u201d. A wonderful work of unique naturalism and balanced personal tragedy and cynical humor.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

KATHLEEN CHALFANT<\/p>\n

As an elderly woman fading away with an intense diagnosis of Alzheimer\u2019s in the heartening \u201cFamiliar Touch\u201d, Chalfant takes control of every frame as well as the audience\u2019s affection, delivering a memorable performance that is ultimately immortalized by its tenderness and truthfulness.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

SYDNEY SWEENEY<\/p>\n

A star-making and Award-worthy performance, Sweeney proves her higher skills in the boxing drama \u201cChristy\u201d. An irregular but poignant biopic, Sweeney drops the \u201cbeautiful blonde\u201d stigma to give life to a brilliant portrait of abuse, fame and personal conflicts. Her performance is captivating, intense and utterly affecting.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

ANAMARIA VARTOLOMEI<\/p>\n

One of the most beautiful women in cinema, Anamaria is perfect as infamous sex-symbol diva Maria Schneider in the incoherent but entertaining \u201cBeing Maria\u201d. She carries the film with charisma, sensuality, assurance and a tempestuous emotional disorder that is as disturbing as it is wonderful.<\/p>\n

And\u2026. KEKE PALMER<\/u> \u201cOne of Them Days\u201d. ALICIA VIKANDER<\/u> \u201cThe Assessment\u201d. AMANDA SEYFRIED<\/u> \u201cSeven Veils\u201d. DIANE LANE<\/u> \u201cAnniversary\u201d. RENATE REINSVE<\/u> \u201cSentimental Value\u201d. NAOMI WATTS<\/u> \u201cThe Friend\u201d. JENNIFER LAWRENCE<\/u> \u201cDie, My Love\u201d. JAMIE LEE CURTIS \u201cFreakier Friday\u201d. IMOGEN POOTS <\/u>\u201cThe Chronology of Water\u201d. DAKOTA JOHNSON <\/u>\u201cMaterialists\u201d. EVA VICTOR<\/u> \u201cSorry, Baby\u201d. BANEEN AHMAD NAYYEF<\/u> \u201cThe President\u2019s Cake\u201d. MALOU KHEBIZI<\/u> \u201cWild Diamond\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

JACQUES DEVELAY<\/p>\n

As the ironic and mysterious priest in the provocative \u201cMisericordia\u201d, French actor Jacques Develay embodies the most fun, eccentric and undeniably unforgettable priest ever seen in cinema history. He delivers the most unexpected scene ever!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

STELLAN SKARSGARD<\/p>\n

As the patriarch in \u201cSentimental Value\u201d, Stellan delivers one of the year\u2019s most sensitive, deeply wounded and explosive performances. Also, it\u2019s one of the most celebrated. A film director making amends with his daughters while struggling to develop a new work. He embodies it with perfection and exuberance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

CARLOS FRANCISCO<\/p>\n

The heart and soul of \u201cThe Secret Agent\u201d is Black Brazilian actor Carlos Francisco, playing both the projectionist and the grandfather, a key role in Kleber Mendonca Filho\u2019s Cannes winner thriller that might as well include him among the year\u2019s most fascinating scene stealers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

MICHAEL SHANNON<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a strong force all around Shannon\u2019s work and artistry and in \u201cNuremberg\u201d that becomes richly intensified. Shannon is a naturally perfect actor who masterly coordinates the emotional layers of his characters. Here, he scores another goal.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

MICHAEL STUHLBARG<\/p>\n

Here is another fantastic, versatile, complete performer who is always on top of his game. Whether he is ready to defy anyone, make you cry or laugh out loud, Stuhlbarg is the remedy in \u201cAfter the Hunt\u201d, the intellectual and uneven sex-scandal drama by Guadagnino. Playing the observational husband of Julia Roberts, Stuhlbarg proves to be one of our greatest cinematic treasures.<\/p>\n

And\u2026. TRACY LETTS<\/u> \u201cA House of Dynamite\u201d. ALY MURITIBA<\/u> \u201cNight Stage\u201d. RICARDO TEODORO<\/u> \u201cBaby\u201d. EDMUND DONOVAN<\/u> \u201cLate Fame\u201d. BENICIO DEL TORO <\/u>\u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d. ALEXANDER SKARSGARD <\/u>\u201cPillion\u201d. FABIO ASSUNCAO<\/u> \u201cMotel Destino\u201d. PAUL RUDD<\/u> \u201cFriendship\u201d. SEAN PENN<\/u> \u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d. TOM WAITS<\/u> \u201cFather Mother Sister Brother\u201d. ADAM SANDLER<\/u> \u201cJay Kelly\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

CHARLOTTE RAMPLING<\/p>\n

Just by contemplating at her gaze by the window is enough to shatter everything, any hidden emotion, any doubt. Charlotte Rampling is astonishing and impeccable as the mother who awaits her daughters for an unusual \u201ctea-time\u201d in Jim Jarmusch\u2019s triptych \u201cFather Mother Sister Brother\u201d. She could just be silent would be enough to speak volumes. For that, she deserves an Oscar and all praises this season.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

GRETA LEE<\/p>\n

Think of the greatest and most gorgeous Hollywood divas of the golden era. Greta Lee storms out the screen with elegance, sensuality, vibrancy and creativity as the only female member of a writer\u2019s club in Kent Jones\u2019 refreshing \u201cLate Fame\u201d. Whether she is dancing, singing, flirting, listening to her peers, or trying to escape an abusive marriage, Lee takes control of every scene she is in with incredible force and elegance. You simply can\u2019t resist her charm. Once there was Rita Hayworth, Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. Now, there is Greta Lee!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

SAJA KILANI<\/p>\n

Giving life to the tragic drama of a young girl in the line of death amidst the Palestinian\/Israeli deadly conflict, Jordanian actress Saja Kilani takes the audience through the most horrifying situation depicted in film this year (the final hours of a 6-year-old girl trapped in a car, surrounded by war tanks and corpses) with impeccable control and full soul. As Rana, the Emergency Center volunteer at the center of \u201cThe Voice of Hind Rajab\u201d, Kilani gives an impressive and heartachingly humane performance that will hypnotize you and shatter you at the same time.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

AMY MADIGAN<\/p>\n

One of the most entertaining Hollywood blockbusters of the year, \u201cWeapons\u201d is partly excellent for its bizarre character, Aunt Gladys, a scary and utterly convincing turn by Amy Madigan. Her character became a phenomenon, a cult among horror fans. Now, she is in the books next to Jason, Freddy, and many other iconic terrifying psychos we love to watch.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

LUCIE LARUELLE<\/p>\n

In the Dardenne Bothers\u2019 Cannes-winner \u201cYoung Mothers\u201d, non-professional teen actress Lucie Laruelle plays a Black teen living at a shelter and awaiting better days with the father of her baby- who\u2019s been recently released from a juvenile facility. Embodying the struggles, hopelessness, desperation and vulnerability of a young soul in search of a way out, without any professional techniques but the directors\u2019 guidance, Laruelle enhances the screen with her presence, giving truthiness and veracity to every line, gesture and agony of her character.<\/p>\n

And\u2026. ZOEY DEUTCH<\/u> \u201cNouvelle Vague\u201d. LAURA DERN<\/u> \u201cIs This Thing On?\u201d. INGA IBSDOTTER LILLEAAS<\/u> \u201cSentimental Value\u201d. CRISTA ALFAIATE<\/u> \u201cGrand Tour\u201d. CATHERINE FROT<\/u> \u201cMisericordia\u201d.<\/p>\n

THE BEST PETS:<\/p>\n

Rooster<\/u> in \u201cThe President\u2019s Cake\u201d<\/p>\n

Cat<\/u> in \u201cCaught Stealing\u201d<\/p>\n

Dog<\/u> in \u201cGood Boy\u201d<\/p>\n

Bulls<\/u> in \u201cAfternoons of Solitude\u201d<\/p>\n

(Note: I have seen 404 new movies in 2025 so far. I haven\u2019t seen \u201cHamnet\u201d, or the Christmas-release films yet. My list of Best of the Year comes in early December.)<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Roger Costa WILLEM DAFOE A formidable, versatile, hypnotizing performer, Willem Dafoe reaches perfection with his bohemian role in \u201cLate Fame\u201d directed by Kent Jones. Dafoe manages to deliver the most touching, profound and heartbreaking performance of the year as a once-poet who finds fame at a late circumstance. He grabs you by the heart, and the experience is unforgettable. DENZEL WASHINGTON Fact is he doesn\u2019t care about Oscars or prizes any longer. Fact is he said he doesn\u2019t watch movies anymore. However, Denzel delivered another mesmerizing work in Spike Lee\u2019s modern adaptation \u201cHighest To Lowest\u201d. As a famed music […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":61778,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1,16],"tags":[],"views":797,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brazilianpress.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61780"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brazilianpress.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brazilianpress.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brazilianpress.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brazilianpress.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61780"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.brazilianpress.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61780\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":61781,"href":"https:\/\/www.brazilianpress.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61780\/revisions\/61781"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brazilianpress.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61778"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brazilianpress.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61780"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brazilianpress.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61780"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brazilianpress.com\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61780"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}