Demi Moore (Substance)
Even if you've never dreamed of becoming the best version of yourself, Substance likely didn’t pass you by unnoticed. The film sparked heated debates, its quotes went viral on social media, and Coralie Fargeat won the Best Screenplay award at Cannes, with box office earnings far exceeding the budget. Such success is rare for a body-horror film, a genre that usually alienates mainstream audiences. However, the story of aging actress Elizabeth Sparkle, who resorts to experimental methods to create a younger, more beautiful version of herself in pursuit of beauty and youth, became a major hit of the year.
Demi Moore, the star of the film, is predicted to earn at least an Oscar nomination, if not the win itself. Notably, several actresses turned down the role, and even Fargeat doubted Moore would accept such a risky part in a controversial project.
Yuriy Borisov (Anora)
Another festival hit of the year, Anora, brought its director the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and catapulted Mark Eidelstein and Yuriy Borisov to international fame. Indie filmmaker Sean Baker, known for his stories about people on society’s margins, presented a tale about a charming stripper, Anora, who becomes the companion of a fairy-tale prince—the son of a Russian oligarch. But the fairy tale quickly turns into a harsh reality when the husband’s parents decide to annul the unequal marriage.
The film captivated audiences primarily with its stellar cast, where every character was vivid and charismatic. Borisov’s portrayal of a quiet bully who genuinely empathizes with Anora became a fan favorite. Interestingly, Borisov was cast even before the script was written. In 2021, the director was impressed by his performance in Compartment No. 6 and decided to work with him on his next project.
Ralph Fiennes (Conclave)
A major contender for the Best Actor Oscar, Ralph Fiennes starred as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, who oversees the conclave tasked with electing a new pope after the death of the previous pontiff. During the process, Thomas uncovers dark secrets about other candidates and begins to question his faith and the Church.
Conclave is not just a drama but a gripping political thriller where the protagonist must choose between duty and conscience while grappling with inner confusion before making a fateful decision. “This story is full of manipulative, morally ambiguous characters engaging in questionable actions. There’s ambition and some corruption, but it’s not just about political intrigue. For my character, the most important question is who can become a worthy spiritual leader,” Fiennes shared.
Mia Goth (MaXXXine)
The third installment of Ti West’s slasher series about porn actress Maxine Minx became the most successful film in the trilogy. MaXXXine continues the events of the first film, following Maxine as she leaves behind the bloody massacre on the farm to conquer Hollywood, landing a role in the sequel to a cult horror film. However, her career triumphs are overshadowed by the emergence of a mysterious stalker who blackmails Maxine and brutally murders her friends.
MaXXXine captivates not only with its 1980s atmosphere and homage to horror films of that era but also with Mia Goth’s electrifying performance. Like her character, she has become a true scream queen and a star of the genre. Currently, two projects starring Goth are in development: the vampire comic-book film Blade and Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming adaptation of Frankenstein.
Colin Farrell (The Penguin)
Work on the series about Gotham crime boss Oswald Cobblepot began even before the release of Matt Reeves' The Batman, where Colin Farrell first debuted in the role. Initially envisioned as a standalone feature film, the project later expanded into a full-fledged series. The Penguin is set just weeks after the events of The Batman and explores how, following the death of mob boss Carmine Falcone, his former aide gradually takes control of Gotham’s underworld.
The show’s standout feature is Colin Farrell, unrecognizable beneath layers of prosthetic makeup. He masterfully brings to life the unpredictable and cunning villain, a character whose ruthlessness is tempered by moments that make viewers empathize with him.
Andrew Scott (Ripley)
This reimagining of Patricia Highsmith’s iconic novel about the ingenious con artist Tom Ripley, who slowly usurps the life and identity of a wealthy heir, has become a benchmark in cinematic art, thanks in large part to its stylish black-and-white cinematography and powerful performances. Andrew Scott’s portrayal of Ripley presents him as a calculating and cold-blooded sociopath who knows exactly how to manipulate those around him, though his true motives and thoughts remain an enigma. Unlike the 1999 adaptation, this version of Ripley leans heavily into sardonic irony and a sense of cold detachment, perfectly capturing the tone of the original literary work.
Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer)
A Netflix hit based on the autobiographical stage play by British comedian Richard Gadd, Baby Reindeer tells the story of an up-and-coming comedian who becomes the target of an obsessive stalker named Martha. Jessica Gunning, who plays the role of the stalker, won an Emmy for her performance. According to Gadd—who not only wrote the script and inspired the series but also starred in it—Gunning perfectly captures the contradictory nature of her character, who is both terrifying and vulnerable.
Though Gadd has repeatedly emphasized that the real-life inspiration for Martha remains anonymous, controversy erupted after the show’s release. A woman named Fiona Harvey claimed to be the inspiration for Martha, denying the allegations of stalking but accusing the series of portraying her in a negative light. She also revealed receiving threats from fans of Baby Reindeer and filed a lawsuit against Netflix, seeking damages for emotional distress.
Hiroyuki Sanada (Shōgun)
This year’s Emmy triumph went to Shōgun, a historical drama based on James Clavell’s eponymous novel. The series won 18 awards, including one for Best Actor, and its immense success and audience acclaim led to a renewal for two more seasons, despite no original plans for a sequel.
The story of Shōgun revolves around English navigator John Blackthorne, who is shipwrecked in Japan and becomes entangled in the country’s internal conflicts. The role of the ambitious samurai Lord Toranaga, who takes Blackthorne into his service, is played by Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada. Sanada has previously appeared in films exploring Japan’s cultural intersections with the West, such as 2003’s The Last Samurai. He also portrayed the ninja Scorpion in the 2021 fantasy action film Mortal Kombat, based on the popular video game series.
