Happy Tuesday, dear readers! Each week, we’ll rank the top 10 films in a specific category. While we aim to tie these lists to big releases, that won’t always be the case. Our goal? For you to enjoy, share your own lists, and join in on a lively, friendly debate. This is an interactive space to build community here at The Contending.
No fancy intros, no long essays – just a category and a list. Sound good?
Let’s continue reflecting on the best of 2025. Last week, I ranked the year’s best scenes. This week, it’s the performances. The cuts were brutal, which is why I’ve added a couple of bonus lists below.
These actors crushed it this year, turning gut-wrenching roles into something unforgettable. From stoic loggers and anxious sheriffs to paranoid revolutionaries, unraveling mothers, and woodland healers shattered by unthinkable loss, these performances were raw, grounded, and unforgettable, whether awards season keeps up or not.
These are the ten performances that defined 2025 for me.
10. Joel Edgerton (Train Dreams)
9. Joaquin Phoenix (Eddington)
8. Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value)
7. Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme)
6. Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another)
5. Jonathan Majors (Magazine Dreams)
4. Amanda Seyfried (The Testament of Ann Lee)
3. Paul Mescal (Hamnet)
2. Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You)
1. Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
BONUS LISTS!
Top 10 Performances by a Male
10. Colin Farrell (Ballad of a Small Player)
9. Michael B. Jordan (Sinners)
8. Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent)
7. Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein)
6. Joel Edgerton (Train Dreams)
5. Joaquin Phoenix (Eddington)
4. Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme)
3. Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another)
2. Jonathan Majors (Magazine Dreams)
1. Paul Mescal (Hamnet)
Top 10 Performances by a Female
10. Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another)
9. Emma Stone (Bugonia)
8. Amy Madigan (Weapons)
7. Tessa Thompson (Hedda)
6. Jennifer Lawrence (Die My Love)
5. Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another)
4. Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value)
3. Amanda Seyfried (The Testament of Ann Lee)
2. Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You)
1. Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
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I love this list. I’d swap Leo and Timothee, but that’s just me. I think I just feel like Leo does some things that are pretty similar to his Don’t Look Up performance, but even saying that I do love both of those performances. I think Timothee just does some things we haven’t seen from him before. Even though I don’t love the press strategy behind Marty, he is brilliant as always.
And could NOT agree more about Jessie and Paul. Saw it yesterday and was just floored. I don’t quite understand Hamnet’s somewhat lukewarm reception from some; I thought it was utterly beautiful, breathtaking filmmaking on all fronts. The final scene might is my favorite 10-15 minutes of filmmaking in a long, long time. But again, that’s me. 🙂
This is such a cool list. I haven't watched everything, so I really can't do my own list, but I especially enjoyed performances by Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothee Chalamet, and Jesse Plemons this year.