We’re coming to the end of the year, meaning it is time to look back on the year that was. Today, I’m sharing my Top 5 in the four acting categories. In addition, Eric and I shared our Top 12 movies of the year on the This Week at the Movies podcast. Be sure to catch up with the video of our show!

Best Actor:

• Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer: I loved his work in one of my favorite films of the year.
• Michael Fassbender, The Killer: This was a movie I enjoyed a lot, and much of it rested on Fassbender’s shoulders.
• Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction: Another film that surprised me with a lead performance I enjoyed a lot.
• Bradley Cooper, Maestro: He put so much into this film, and it comes through beautifully on screen.
• Barry Keoghan, Saltburn: This was a wild performance and his commitment to the part enhances the film.

Best Actress:

• Emma Stone, Poor Things: Again, a performance that required a lot. She made the film what it is.
• Margot Robbie, Barbie: I think Robbie has been overlooked a bit, but her work here is great.
• Gretta Lee, Past Lives: Lee delivers a beautiful and haunting performance in this film.
• Carrie Mulligan, Maestro: Mulligan shines whenever she’s on the screen. I loved her in this film.
• Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon: This isn’t an easy film to watch, but Gladstone shines. She’s captivating on screen and the best part of the film.

Supporting Actor:

• Ryan Gosling, Barbie: I loved Gosling as Ken in this film. He does a great job with the part, bringing comedy and heart.
• Robert Downey, Jr., Oppenheimer: The biopic is about J. Robert Oppenheimer, yes, but it’s also about his lifelong back-and-forth with Lewis Strauss. Downey was great in the role.
• Chris Messina, Air: It happened early in the year, but Messina’s work as the foul-mouthed agent for Michael Jordan stuck with me. I loved his work.
• Sterling K. Brown, American Fiction: I loved the film and the wild performance from Brown.
• Charles Melton, May December: This was a tricky film and a tricky part, but I loved Melton’s performance.

Supporting Actress:

• Viola Davis, Air: I loved Davis as Jordan’s mother. It was one of my favorite parts of an under-rated film.
• Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple: Brooks gives a fierce performance and captivates while on screen.
• Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers: Randolph has such a great screen presence in this film. I loved her performance.
• America Ferrera, Barbie: I loved Robbie, but I also loved Ferrera, who I thought had a lot of poignant scenes and heart in this film.
• Sherry Cola, Joy Ride: This was a crazy film, and all the actresses are great. But I loved Lolo, and that is a great credit to Cola.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.