The 15 Best Breakout Film Performances of 2024

From commanding lead roles to unforgettable supporting turns, 2024 delivered an array of powerful performances from rising talents who demanded attention. While veteran actors like Nicole Kidman (Babygirl), Daniel Craig (Queer), and Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) dazzled with career-defining roles, the year also belonged to a host of fresh faces and underappreciated actors making waves across genres. These performers brought unique perspectives to the screen, injecting energy and depth into their roles, and leaving audiences eager to see what they’ll do next.

From the biting realism of The Brutalist to the whimsical time-travel dramedy of My Old Ass, the diversity of these breakout performances underscores the power of storytelling to highlight fresh talent. These actors, whether playing emotionally complex characters or crafting memorable moments in ensemble pieces, captured the essence of their respective films, elevating them beyond the ordinary. For many, this year marked a transformative moment in their careers, a step toward broader recognition and the promise of even greater roles.

As casting directors and filmmakers seek fresh faces to redefine genres and narratives, these performers stand out for their skill, charisma, and ability to command the screen. This list celebrates not only their individual brilliance but the diversity of stories they’ve helped tell. From emotionally fraught dramas to experimental storytelling, these actors embody the best of what cinema can achieve when fresh talent is given room to shine.

Here are our 15 favorite breakout performances of the year

a testament to the transformative power of acting and the enduring allure of cinematic discovery

Michele Austin, Hard Truths

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StudioCanal

Marianne Jean-Baptiste’s uncompromising portrayal of Pansy Deacon in Mike Leigh’s blistering character study has rightly garnered much attention. With consummate skill, Leigh and his star, Austin, imperceptibly expand our understanding of Pansy’s explosive vitriol, allowing us to empathize with the pain that fuels her bitterness. A significant part of this shift is due to Austin’s big-hearted characterization of Pansy’s sister, Chantelle. Chantelle, a hairdresser and single mother, embodies generosity, care, and warmth, contrasting sharply with Pansy’s walled-off and forbidding nature. Unlike other family members who maintain a wary distance, Chantelle refuses to be intimidated by her older sister’s volatility. Even when her patience is tested, she demonstrates unconditional love for Pansy, subtly revealing the cracks in her hardened shell and transforming her from a monster to a figure of profound pathos. While Austin has had minor roles in previous Leigh films, her exceptional performance here becomes the heartwarming drama’s secret weapon.

Monica Barbaro, A Complete Unknown

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Searchlight Pictures

Even with significant roles in Top Gun: Maverick and the well-received 2021 indie film The Cathedral, Barbaro’s radiant performance as Joan Baez in James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic appeared to be a surprise. With effortless poise, she fully embodies the consecrated folk goddess who would soon grace the cover of Time magazine, basking in success yet grounded enough to resist the allure of fame. As captivating as Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of Dylan, Barbaro matches him in both their dramatic scenes and with her mesmerizing vocals during their exhilarating duets. While acknowledging his remarkable talent, Joan swiftly recognizes Bob as the kind of narcissist who poses a lethal threat in relationships. She possesses enough self-respect to distance herself, unlike his usual girlfriend, portrayed by Elle Fanning, who gets hurt and returns for more.

Yura Borisov, Anora 

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Neon

Sean Baker’s Cannes Palme d’Or winner gets much of its buoyant screwball energy from Mikey Madison as a scrappy Brooklyn sex worker who impulsively accepts when the stoner son of a Russian oligarch proposes. She then refuses to roll over and play docile when his family sends in a goon squad to retrieve him and have the marriage annulled. The movie slowly uncovers the hurt beneath Anora’s resilient façade, accessing that poignancy via the stealth sensitivity of Borisov’s Igor, the muscle who displays unexpected empathy for her emotionally bruised state. Russian actor Borisov was superb in Finnish director Juho Kuosmanen’s Arctic road movie, Compartment No. 6, playing an obnoxious miner whose surly isolation gradually melts in the company of a fellow train passenger. He’s arguably even more moving in Anora as a man whose capacity for kindness perhaps takes even him by surprise.

Raúl Briones, La Cocina 

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Willa

Mexican director Alonso Ruizpalacios’ feverish tragicomedy unfolds in the chaotic lunchtime rush at a tourist-magnet Times Square restaurant. The muscular ensemble piece is filled with anxiety and adrenaline as it explores the hopes, dreams, and crushing realities of the mostly undocumented immigrants working the production line under the oppressive rule of an autocratic chef. At the heart of the drama lies Pedro, a cook who is both a hopeless romantic and an antagonistic jerk. Distraught over his girlfriend’s decision to terminate her pregnancy, needled by the fear that the missing $800 from the previous evening’s take might be attributed to him, and impatient for the restaurant owner to fulfill his promise to assist with his immigration papers, Pedro becomes increasingly jumpy, building to a spectacular meltdown. As one colleague remarks, “The guy is a fucking time bomb,” Pedro’s tension escalates, leading to a chaotic and emotionally charged climax.

Lily Collias, Good One

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Metrograph Pictures

In India Donaldson’s intimate coming-of-age drama Good One, Lily Collias shines as Sam, a teenager caught in a complex web of family dynamics and Debuting writer-director India Donaldson’s micro-portrait of a pivotal moment in a young woman’s late adolescence is enhanced by its captivating setting in the Catskills. The protagonist embarks on a weekend camping trip with her father and his divorced best friend, providing a limpid lens through which the movie observes Sam, a 17-year-old girl torn between rolling her eyes at the fragile egos of her middle-aged companions, played by James Le Gros and Danny McCarthy, and serving as their designated cook and caregiver. Her body language and subtle changes in expression suggest that this role is an uncomfortable fit for her. When a line is crossed, we sense the indignation within her internalized performance, disrupting the group’s harmony, potentially irreversibly. Donaldson’s remarkable ability to convey profound emotions with economical means elevates the narratively sparse drama to its emotional peak.

Lily-Rose Depp, Nosferatu

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Focus Features

You could argue that Johnny Depp’s already well-known status precludes him from a breakthrough roundup, but the jury was still uncertain about his acting prowess, especially after the negative impact of his role in Sam Levinson’s tawdry HBO series, The Idol. It’s safe to say that few people were prepared for her revelatory performance in Robert Eggers’ fresh take on the classic vampire tale, The Witch. In the terrifying prologue, Depp introduces Ellen as an emotionally troubled teenager whose prayer for comfort inadvertently awakens Bill Skarsgard’s ancient bloodsucker, Count Orlok. As she grapples with the mystical darkness within her that summoned the vampire, Depp displays hypnotic physicality, shifting from melancholy to fear, convulsive delirium to limp helplessness, possession to queasy desire. As the count himself puts it, Ellen is as much his “affliction” as his prey, and Depp masterfully portrays the role’s intricate contradictions.

Ryan Destiny, The Fire Inside

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Amazon MGM Studios

Rachel Morrison’s Flint chronicles the extraordinary life of Claressa Shields, the boxer who rose from a challenging upbringing in Flint, Michigan, to Olympic glory. Destiny Wilson delivers a breathtaking performance as the young Claressa, embodying the fighter’s unrelenting drive, raw talent, and vulnerability. Wilson balances moments of toughness with glimpses of the emotional scars Shields carries, crafting a fully realized character who feels both larger-than-life and deeply human. Sharing the screen with Brian Tyree Henry as Shields’ trainer, Wilson more than holds her own, creating a compelling dynamic that anchors the film’s most heartfelt scenes. Her work in Flint cements her as a breakout star with immense range and presence.

Diego Diehz, Conclave

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Focus Features

Diego Diehz’s portrayal of Cardinal Benítez in Edward Berger’s Conclave is a study in quiet power. As the moral compass of a Vatican in turmoil, Benítez’s serene dignity and unshakable faith stand in stark contrast to the political maneuverings around him. Diehz, a former architect turned actor, uses his expressive eyes and understated delivery to communicate Benítez’s internal struggle, as well as his unwavering conviction. Even in a cast brimming with seasoned talent like Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci, Diehz leaves an indelible impression, particularly as the film’s final act introduces a shocking twist that reframes his character entirely.

Karla Sofía Gascón, Emilia Pérez

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Netflix

Gascón, a Spanish actress previously renowned for her roles in telenovelas, delivers a captivating performance as Emilia in Jacques Audiard’s polarizing musical. Set in Mexico, the film follows a cartel boss seeking redemption and the love of her family after undergoing gender-affirming surgery. Arguably, Gascón’s portrayal of Emilia stands out as one of the most significant roles for a transgender actress since Daniela Vega in A Fantastic Woman.Gascón embodies Emilia with an incandescent authenticity, capturing the sense of liberation, joyous self-realization, and discovery that accompanies her transformation. Her performance is a purification rite of sorts, as she savors the sound of her new name after surgery, a moment that is ineffably moving. Gascón infuses Emilia with soulfulness, conveying her regret over the sacrifices made for her family and her reckless quest to reverse them, which compromises her anonymity.

Ethan Herisse & Brandon Wilson, Nickel Boys

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Amazon MGM Studios

The lyrical aesthetic sensibility of director RaMell Ross, coupled with the vividly detailed imagery and searching close-ups of cinematographer Jomo Fray, creates a unique and profound exploration of the Jim Crow South’s dark history of racial cruelty in this adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer-winning novel. However, the film’s penetrating gaze also owes much to the performances of Herisse and Wilson, who play the promising student Elwood and the slippery cynic Turner. Their alternating points of view allow us to experience the story through their eyes and ears. As strangers who form a close friendship while incarcerated in a fictional reform school in 1960s Florida, based on the notorious Dozier School for Boys, the gifted young actors’ understated intensity makes them a heartbreaking conduit for trauma. Their pain subsides only to be replaced by debilitating numbness.

Kani Kusruti, All We Imagine as Light

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Janus Films and Sideshow

Payal Kapadia’s poetic narrative voice, deeply rooted in her documentary background, infuses her first fiction feature with a striking sense of realism as it portrays three women from the bustling fabric of contemporary Mumbai life. Colleagues at the same hospital, each experiencing personal enlightenment in unique ways, leave the city for a seaside village, seeking respite and a chance to breathe. The central figure is Kusruti’s hardworking nurse, Prabha, who opts for solitude over infidelity with her husband, who works in Germany and their communication has dwindled. The actress, who also captivated this year as an overprotective mother in Girls Will Be Girls, delivers a nuanced performance, conveying Prabha’s aching emotional transparency while maintaining her composed demeanor. Through gradual revelations, we gain a deeper understanding of all three women and the nourishing connection they share. However, it is Kusruti’s Prabha, the most reserved of the three, who leaves an indelible mark on our hearts, lingering in our minds long after the credits roll.

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Clarence Maclin, Sing Sing

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a24

The only familiar faces in Greg Kwedar’s experiential docu-fiction are Colman Domingo as an inmate and Paul Raci as the director of a Rehabilitation Through the Arts program for incarcerated men at a maximum-security correctional facility in upstate New York. Joining them is an ensemble cast of RTA alumni, most notably former inmate Maclin, who portrays Divine Eye, a version of himself during his 17-year sentence. Domingo delivers a peak-form performance as Divine G, the charismatic star playwright and performer of the group. He takes a chance on the aggressive and unpredictable Divine Eye, recruiting him for the program based on his perceived raw talent. Their relationship evolves from antagonism and rivalry to détente and eventually friendship as they discover their shared experiences. Maclin embodies an unselfconscious naturalism, unafraid to delve into his tough-guy past or the redemptive wisdom he gained through his RTA involvement. His performance is so authentic that it earns our affection without ever feeling forced or manipulative.

Aaron Pierre, Rebel Ridge

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Netflix

Pierre, played by Jeremy Saulnier, delivers a riveting performance in his first solo feature film, “The Way Out.” Although he had a breakthrough in Barry Jenkins’ “The Underground Railroad” three years ago, this slow-burn crime thriller marks his first leading role. Saulnier’s imposing physical presence and piercing dark eyes make Pierre never less captivating.Pierre plays former Marine Terry Richmond, whose experience in close-quarters combat and weaponry proves invaluable when he falls victim to the corrupt police department in a Louisiana backwater. Led by the villainous Don Johnson, these corrupt cops indirectly cause the death of Terry’s cousin, setting the stage for a powder-keg revenge scenario reminiscent of classic pulpy B-movies. Saulnier’s artistry elevates this genre, while Pierre’s discipline, cool-headed intelligence, and bone-crunching strength bring a sense of realism to the protagonist.

Maisy Stella, My Old Ass

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Amazon MGM Studios

Not every actor can effortlessly bounce off the queen of sardonic deadpan, Aubrey Plaza, without coming across as the less interesting straight man. Stella, who previously collaborated with her sister as a sibling vocal duo on the country music series Nashville, transitions to feature films with winning confidence in Megan Park’s disarmingly sweet coming-of-age tale. This film skillfully weaves together comedy, romance, and a touch of fantasy. Stella portrays Elliott, a spirited 18-year-old eager to embark on a college adventure in the city, seeking to escape her small lakeside hometown and her family’s cranberry farm. However, a hallucinogenic mushroom trip before her departure introduces Elliott to her future self, played by Plaza, who serves as a wise mentor, urging her to cherish the remaining moments of her youth and spend quality time with the people she loves. Stella effortlessly navigates the film’s various emotional shifts, maintaining a palatable sentimentality throughout. Ultimately, it becomes a wistful intergenerational reflection on the things we carry with us and the things we leave behind as we transition into adult independence.

Zoe Ziegler, Janet Planet

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A24

Julianne Nicholson delivers a career-best performance in this miniaturist gem, the first feature from playwright Annie Baker. In this rare opportunity for a lead role worthy of her talents, Nicholson portrays Janet, an earthy single mother navigating moments of melancholy and distraction. However, it’s her complex relationship with her 11-year-old daughter, Lacy, that truly elevates Nicholson’s character. Played by the genuine discovery Ziegler, Lacy is a perceptive and preternaturally wise child who observes Janet and her interactions with others over the course of a New England summer, much like a geek conducting a science project. Despite her childlike curiosity, Ziegler manages to infuse Lacy with surprising emotional maturity. The character is blunt, self-dramatizing, and low-key hilarious, yet she never resorts to overacting. As Lacy quietly reassesses the woman who has been her entire world, her ultimate verdict remains open to interpretation. Nicholson and Ziegler’s performances create a multidimensional character that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.
 

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The 15 performances celebrated here exemplify the transformative power of acting, showcasing fresh talent across a wide spectrum of narratives and genres. From emotionally raw dramas like The Nickel Boys and Three Women to audacious experiments like Emilia Pérezand My Old Ass, these actors brought depth, vulnerability, and charisma to their roles, leaving indelible marks on 2024’s cinematic landscape.

What unites these breakout performances is their ability to resonate deeply, whether by capturing universal truths or exploring uncharted emotional terrain. These actors not only carried their films but elevated them, offering audiences new ways of seeing the world through their artistry. Their work ensures that the stories they tell will endure, carving out spaces in the cultural conversation that demand revisiting and recognition.

As the film industry continues to evolve, it’s exciting to witness the emergence of such talent, reminding us of the endless possibilities of cinematic storytelling. These are the performances that will define careers, inspire future filmmakers, and enrich the art form for years to come.

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