Best of 2025: Supporting Actor

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I’m continuing my yearly tradition of highlighting the best acting performances of the past year. You can find my picks for Supporting Actress here. Today, I’m focusing on the Supporting Actors. Like yesterday’s category, this one is packed with fantastic performances, making it tough to choose just five. But here’s my list…

Several other actors delivered noteworthy performances this year, including James Badge Dale in “Violent Ends,” Ethan Hawke in “Black Phone 2,” Paul Mescal in “Hamnet,” William H. Macy in “Train Dreams,” Miles Caton and Delroy Lindo in “Sinners,” Michael Cera in “The Phoenician Scheme,” Chiwetel Ejiofor in “The Life of Chuck,” Andrew Garfield in “After the Hunt,” Stephen Lang in “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” Ralph Fiennes in “28 Years Later,” and Christoph Waltz in “Frankenstein.”

#5 – Josh Brolin (“Weapons”)

Everyone’s been talking about Amy Madigan and her performance in “Weapons” – and deservedly so! But I think we should also give Josh Brolin some serious credit. Apparently, he wasn’t the original pick for the role; Pedro Pascal had to drop out. But honestly, Brolin stepped in and absolutely nailed it. He portrays a guy completely fueled by grief, rage, and a relentless drive, and it’s a huge part of why the movie works so well. He really brings the character to life.

#4 – Jacob Elordi (“Frankenstein”)

Jacob Elordi’s performance as The Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” was so impressive, it’s surprising he wasn’t the first choice for the role. He quickly proved he was perfect for it, delivering a performance that was both physically striking and deeply emotional. It’s a challenging part, and Elordi handled it brilliantly, creating a tragic and relatable character.

#3 – Adam Sandler (“Jay Kelly”)

It’s clear that Adam Sandler is a talented actor when he’s given the right role, and he truly shines in “Jay Kelly.” He expertly blends comedy and heartfelt emotion, becoming the emotional center of Noah Baumbach’s film. He earns both our sympathy and a few laughs, delivering what is arguably his best performance yet.

#2 – Sean Bean (“Anemone”)

Great actors demonstrate that powerful storytelling doesn’t always require a lot of dialogue. Sean Bean’s performance in the underrated film “Anemone” is a perfect example. He shares much of the screen time with Daniel Day-Lewis, which is a challenge for any actor, but Bean excels, often communicating through silence. His expressive eyes and intense gaze powerfully convey his character’s pain – it’s truly masterful.

#1 – Stellan Skarsgård (“Sentimental Value”)

Stellan Skarsgård consistently delivers compelling performances, whether he’s acting in large-scale franchises like Star Wars or smaller, character-driven films. This is especially true in Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value,” where Skarsgård brings incredible depth to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional. His performance is richly nuanced and complex, and it’s arguably the best supporting role of the year – few others even come close.

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2026-01-06 18:58