The year 2024 saw several actresses give some of the best astonishing performances in cinema as they all showed their power, talent, and tenacity as performers on screen.
Let's explore the actresses who delivered astonishing performances this year.
Mikey Madison - Anora
Mikey Madison has been one of the rising actresses for the past several years, but her performance in Anora marked her breakthrough as a leading performer and a promising movie star for years to come.
With her brassy turn as Anora "Ani" Mikheeva, she showcased her talent in both dramatic and comedic moments without losing the character's humanity and vulnerability.
Demi Moore - The Substance
Demi Moore did not just give the best performance of her career in The Substance, but it also marked her comeback as a major on-screen presence on the big screen.
Her performance as Elizabeth Sparkle is exceptional as she conveyed her character's vulnerability in ways that only someone like her can truly portray especially in a body horror setting.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande - Wicked
It's hard to separate Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande when you discuss their performances in Wicked as their chemistry is one of the reasons why the big-budget musical film did as well as it did since its release in Thanksgiving.
They gave their unique takes on their respective roles of Elphaba and Glinda that have resonated with a new generation of Wicked fans. As expected, they also gave fantastic musical performances that defied gravity in ways that we can't imagine.
Marianne Jean-Baptiste - Hard Truths
Marianne Jean-Baptiste has always been a reliable talent for decades, but her performance in Hard Truths showed why she's always been a great actress who has been underrated among the general audience.
Despite playing an extremely unlikable character in the film, Jean-Baptiste managed to make the audience root for her journey and somewhat empathize with her in the end.
Nicole Kidman - Babygirl
Nicole Kidman has always been a fearless performer since the earlier years of her celebrated career, but her performance in Babygirl proved why she's one of the most ferocious actresses in cinema.
In the new erotic thriller, Kidman portrayed her character with a bold and daring swing that only someone of her caliber can effectively play in profound ways. There's a reason why she earned the coveted Volpi Cup when the film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival.
Fernanda Torres - I'm Still Here
Fernanda Torres has been a celebrated actress in Brazil for decades, but her acclaimed performance in I'm Still Here showed to the international audience why she has such a reputation.
She portrayed her character Eunice Paiva with emotional delicacy as the audiences felt her pain and inner struggles which has a massive payoff in the end when we see the culmination of her arc.
June Squibb - Thelma
Thelma could have been a silly movie about an old woman on a revenge quest, but it became an effective character study all thanks to June Squibb's performance.
Squibb manages to humanize her character even as the situation that she faces intensifies. At 95, she truly proved that age does not matter and you can still get compelling material that is not just a witless geriatric story.
Make sure to follow our official Facebook page for more news and explainer articles about your favorite films and TV shows!