Best Sound
Winner: Elvis (David Lee, Wayne Pashley, Andy Nelson and Michael Keller)
Snub: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
While sound is an essential element to any film, it was especially necessary for a movie like Elvis. While the film is a biopic, it features many concert-like scenes that focus on Butler performing as Elvis. From reimagining’s of classics (like the remix of Britney Spears’ “Toxic” with “Viva Las Vegas”) to exact recreations of Elvis’ most popular performances, the sound of this film is absolutely essential to understanding Elvis’ journey. The sound in this movie also bolsters Butler’s performance, as it highlights his strengths as a vocalist and in mastering Elvis’ sound. The sound of the many performances in this film is mixed incredibly well, and it plays such an essential role in the story that it deserves proper recognition.
Image Source: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Best Original Score
Winner: Everything Everywhere All at Once (Son Lux)
Snub: Tár
One of the many impressive aspects of Everything Everywhere All at Once is its ability to examine multiple relationships and dynamics while exploring the same theme in each one. This film examines the complexities of mother/daughter relationships, father/daughter relationships, husband/wife relationships, and how all those intertwine and ultimately affect each other.
While so many dynamics have the potential to become overbearing to the audience and too much to track, EEAAO does an impressive job making each character so individualistic that it never feels like too much. One of the ways this film keeps its characters — and their unique relationships with one another — separate is through the score. Son Lux not only created a score that helps characterize each character, but he also found a way to represent the varying relationships through music. The score of EEAAO is essential to each character and their development.
Image Source: MICHAEL TRAN/AFP/Getty Images
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Winner: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Snub: The Woman King
The makeup and hairstyling for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever presented a unique challenge for Camille Friend and Joel Harlow. World building is essential in a film like this, and the way in which Wakandans wear their hair and makeup not only represents who the characters are as individuals, but represents their greater culture and customs. However, Wakanda is a fictional world based on African cultures that already exist. This left Friend and Harlow with the challenge of drawing from cultural traditions that already exist, but shifting them just enough to properly represent the world of Wakanda. They succeeded with their task, making the makeup and hairstyles of not just the main characters, but of extras in the background perfectly fitted to Wakanda. Their role played an essential part in convincing audiences that Wakanda could be real, while also furthering the individuality of its characters.
Image Source: Mike Marsland/WireImage/Getty Images
Best Live Action Short
Winner: The Red Suitcase
Snub: All Too Well: The Short Film
The Red Suitcase is a multifaceted, heart wrenching tale of survival and fear. This film follows a young Iranian woman, terrified upon landing in an airport to bring her red suitcase through customs. At every opportunity, she moves backwards in line — avoiding getting on the automatic carpet that will take her closer to the outside world. Nawelle Ewad, the actress who portrays the protagonist, does a masterful job of showing every emotion she is experiencing through her eyes and body language. This is a film that keeps audiences guessing, as they attempt to navigate the war happening in this young woman’s mind as she struggles through an airport. It also tells an important and timely story, making it the strongest contender for the Oscar.
Image Source: IMDb
Best Costume Design
Winner: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Snub: Triangle of Sadness
The costuming in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is arguably one of the most notable and outstanding elements of the film. The costumes in this film are essential to building the world and culture of Wakanda itself, from the ceremonial outfits to the soldier’s uniforms. However, the costumes also establish the individuality of each character. While their outfits represent the greater culture of Wakanda, they are still customized to suit the personality of each character, giving audiences insight as to who they are as people. Ruth Carter did an incredible job creating a vast array of costumes that are both visually stunning while simultaneously furthering every character’s development. Her work makes this film the frontrunner of Best Costume Design.
Image Source: Jesse Grant/Getty Images
Best Animated Short Film
Winner: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Snub: New Moon
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse is both visually stunning and tells a moving story. For one, it uses hand drawn animation — a simple style which is not as popular as it once was. However, the use of a simpler animation style perfectly compliments the softness of the story it’s telling. This film tells the story of a boy looking for home, who meets three animals on his search that help him with existential questions. The blend of the plot, animation style, and voice acting is a perfect concoction, making something wonderfully simple but profound. Mackesy and Freud’s work is worthy of the Oscar in this category.
Image Source: Aaron Chown/PA Images/Getty Images
Best Animated Feature Film
Winner: Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Snub: Wendell and Wild
Since its release on Netflix, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio has received buzz for being one of the best adaptations of a classic Disney film, ever. Not only is it a visually stunning work of live action animation, but it adds upon the plot of the original by delving deeper into the idea of what it is to be human. Pinocchio does appear as a wood carved puppet, but those around him — from Jiminy Cricket to Geppetto — all get a unique look that represents their character. Del Toro uses animation as a mode of storytelling itself, crafting each character to visually represent a deeper meaning they hold in the story. On top of the beauty of the animation, this story delves into the complexities of father and son relationships, and what it really means to be human. This film is a perfect combination of heart, beauty, and fun.
Image Source: Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images
Best Visual Effects
Winner: Avatar: The Way of Water
Snub: Everything Everywhere All at Once
Avatar: The Way of Water is by far the strongest frontrunner for Best Visual Effects. The movie itself took over a decade to make due to James Cameron’s commitment to ensuring the effects looked as authentic and well done as possible. The use of CGI in this film is extensive to say the least. Not only is every single character a product of CGI, but the island of Pandora where they live is mostly CGI, too. While most movies rely on visual effects to enhance their storytelling, this movie simply would not exist without it. The dedication and expertise with which the effects on this movie were handled alone makes it deserving of the Oscar.
Image Source: The New York Times
Best Production Design
Winner: Babylon
Snub: The Woman King
Starring Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and other Hollywood megastars, Babylon is an exploration of Hollywood in the 1920s. This film follows the struggles stars faced as the world shifted away from silent pictures and moved into the era of sound films — thus changing the blueprint for film irrevocably. While the film does explore the dark underbelly of the film industry, it simultaneously serves as a love letter to movies themselves. A love letter not just to movies, but to the eccentric, ever changing environment that is Hollywood. One of Babylon’s many goals is to transport viewers back to the glamor and extravagance of the 1920s, and it succeeds by creating sets and environments that perfectly emulate Hollywood in the 20s. From the exceedingly large mansions that host wild parties to the intricacies of a movie set in the 20s, this film perfectly cultivates the environment it is trying to sell to its audience.
Image Source: The New York Times
Best Original Song
Winner: “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Snub: “Ciao Papa,” Greggory Mann
If it’s important enough to bring Rihanna out of her music hiatus, it has to win an Oscar, right? “Lift Me Up” by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, and Ludwig Goransson successfully serves multiple purposes in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. On one hand, it perfectly sets the tone for the film, as its characters are forced to fight for Wakanda and protect their nation as they concurrently mourn the loss of their leader, T’Challa.
On the other hand, this song pays respect to Chadwick Boseman, T’Challa’s actor who passed away in 2020 after a long fight against colon cancer. “Lift Me Up” not only pays homage to Boseman’s legacy, but to those who forged forward in the wake of his absence — still committed to honoring his memory and creating an inspiring film. This original song deserves the Oscar not just for what it stands for, but for capturing the themes of grief and perseverance so beautifully.
Image Source: Harper’s Bazaar
Best International Feature Film
Winner: The Quiet Girl
Snub: RRR
The Quiet Girl is a unique entry, as this film doesn’t rely heavily on dialogue, as the title suggests. This movie follows nine-year-old Cait, a little girl silently struggling through her life while simultaneously trying to stay afloat in her busy, overcrowded family. However, when her parents decide to send her to stay with another family over the summer, she is able to find great beauty and understanding in the world around her. The Quiet Girl tells a moving story with few words, showcasing young Catherine Clinch’s ability to show depth and growth through mere expressions. This film does a beautiful job examining how easily children can slip into a world of their own when no one is tethering them to the world around them. However, both nature and nurture can ultimately bring them back.
Image Source: Dave Benett/Getty Images
Best Film Editing
Winner: Everything Everywhere All at Once
Snub: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Two of the many themes of Everything Everywhere All at Once are nostalgia and regret. Throughout the film, its protagonist spends every turn wondering what would have happened if she had made one single choice differently. What would have happened if she never moved to America; what would have happened if she had kept running one day when her father told her to walk; what would have happened if she had taken up karate as a hobby.
The what ifs — those big and small — haunt Evelyn, leaving her paralyzed within a life that often doesn’t feel like one she chose. The editing of this film does a striking job at juxtaposing the many possibilities of her life throughout the multiverse. The editing is absolutely essential not just to the storytelling, but to the development of Evelyn herself — as she explores what could have been and ultimately must accept what she has. Without the masterful editing of this film, the emotional development of Evelyn and other characters would feel less poignant, and not drive the messages of the movie home in the same way.
Image Source: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Best Documentary Short Film
Winner: Stranger at the Gate
Snub: American Justice on Trial: People v. Newton
While all the nominees in this category are strong contenders, Stranger at the Gate has the best chance of taking the Oscar home. In recent years, the Academy seems the most favorable towards stories centered around humanity, and the journeys that humans undergo as they try to make their way through life. While short films like The Elephant Whisperers and Haulout are moving, they focus on nature and the environment rather than on people. Stranger at the Gate, however, focuses closely on the story of a former U.S. Marine who, upon returning from the service, plans to bomb a mosque.
However, the community within that mosque welcomes him, and ultimately opens his eyes beyond the bigoted hatred he felt. To say this movie is driven by humanity is an understatement. It beautifully explores the complexities of being human, and looks at the power that patience and understanding have in the modern world.
Image Source: Cindy Ord/Getty Images
Best Documentary Feature Film
Winner: A House of Made of Splinters
Snub: Sr.
A House Made of Splinters is a Danish/Swedish/Ukrainian film that portrays the stories of children in a special orphanage in eastern Ukraine. As families living close to the frontlines of war in Eastern Ukraine suffer from poverty, a group of social workers undertake the task of creating an orphanage that cultivates a safe space for children to live in. The story of the brave social workers who put their hearts and souls into making such a magical space deserves to be seen, and this film gives them the visibility they deserve.
This film explores juxtaposing themes, as it examines the harsh truths of what a broken society looks like — and it also looks at how the actions people take to support each other make a difference in the long run. While this film is highlighting a rather bleak set of circumstances, it does a beautiful job of displaying how hope can be found in the darkest of places. Already having won a plethora of awards — including the Sundance Film Festival’s award for Best Director — this documentary feels like a shoe in for Best Documentary Feature Film.
Image Source: Julia Reinhart/Getty Images
Best Cinematography
Winner: Elvis
Snub: Everything Everywhere All at Once
Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis has been generating Oscar buzz since its theatrical release in 2022. Many aspects of this film — from Butler’s inhabitation of Elvis’ persona, to the costumes, to the live performances in the film — have gotten extensive praise. I believe that the film’s cinematography is a strong enough contender to earn an Oscar. Mandy Walker, the film’s cinematographer, added every piece of the Elvis equation together so the final result could be a film that thoughtfully and beautifully conveys Elvis’ life and legacy.
The visuals of the film are vibrant yet dreamy, making audiences feel like they’re a part of a time they don’t know but find familiar. The cinematography also does a brilliant job weaving together the real Elvis with Butler’s portrayal, as the movie occasionally inserts clips of the real Elvis. Overall, the film is visually compelling and leaves audiences transfixed by what they’re watching, making it my top choice for this Oscar.
Image Source: Warner Brothers
Best Original Screenplay
Winner: The Banshees of Inisherin, written by Martin McDonagh
Snub: Elvis, written by Baz Luhrmann
Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin is one of the most original and unique screenplays that’s been made into a film in recent years. The film follows Páidric and Colm, two lifelong friends who are forced to deal with the ripple effect of one of them suddenly ending their friendship. Set at the end of the Irish Civil War in 1923, this film’s plot is multifaceted. On the surface it’s about the relationship between its two protagonists, yet it also serves as an allegory for the complex and divisive politics of Ireland. McDonagh masterfully explores the intricacies of friendship, masculinity, and loss through Pádraic and Colm’s perspectives, while simultaneously showing audiences what it meant to be Irish at the end of their civil war. This script is original, witty, and heartfelt — making it a likely winner at the Oscars.
Image Source: Vanity Fair
Best Adapted Screenplay
Winner: Women Talking by Sarah Polley
Snub: The Whale by Darren Aronofsky
Women Talking is a heart wrenching but necessary film, based on the novel of the same name by Miriam Toews. Watching this entire film feels like the equivalent of taking in a deep breath and forgetting to let it out. As time passes, you feel the burning inside your lungs grow stronger, but cannot allow yourself to alleviate the discomfort — much like how you won’t be able to look away from the film, no matter how much pain it makes you feel.
Women Talking follows the women of a Mennonite colony who realize they have become the victims of sexual violence. Forced with the dilemma to either flee the only home they’ve known or hold their ground and fight, the women find strength and empowerment through each other. Sarah Polley masterfully transformed the content of its source material into a script that conveys the complexities of sexual violence, and the importance of female relationships.
Image Source: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Best Supporting Actress
Winner: Stephanie Hsu
Snub: Lashana Lynch (The Woman King)
Stephanie Hsu’s work in Everything Everywhere All at Once is truly immaculate. Not only does she play Joy Wang, the despondent daughter of Evelyn and Waymond Wang, but she also plays Jobu Tupaki, an eccentric multiverse jumper who is hellbent on destroying the universe as it exists. Jobu Tupaki is a true wild card, and Hsu plays her with the playfulness of a child who doesn’t know they’re being observed.
Hsu is fearless in her portrayal of such a complex, nuanced villain, leaving audiences unaware if they should laugh or cry through the delivery of a single line. Despite her incredible performance, it will most likely be a close race between her and Angela Bassett for her portrayal of Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. However, I believe that Hsu has earned the award for her portrayal of not just one, but two characters navigating complex grief while trying to unravel generational trauma.
Image Source: MICHAEL TRAN/AFP/Getty Images
Best Supporting Actor
Winner: Ke Huy Quan
Snub: Paul Dano (The Fablemans)
This awards season has been extremely kind to Ke Huy Quan, who has won over ten awards — including a Golden Globe and a Critics Association Award — for his supporting role as Waymond Wang in Everything Everywhere All at Once. After a prolific career as a child actor, Quan struggled to find work in Hollywood as an adult and thought his career was over until receiving his part in EEAAO. It goes beyond a doubt that Quan has now proven he has a place amongst his seasoned acting peers, as his character in EEAAO is the heart of the film.
Where Evelyn (Yeoh’s character) meets the world with stress and cynicism, Waymond greets it with love and optimism. Although Waymond’s relentless kindness often makes him look goofy and ignorant, Quan is able to cultivate a sense of a deeper meaning behind Waymond’s eyes in every scene. Waymond serves as a foil to his wife, but also stands out as his own character — showing the audience how kindness can ultimately be the most important weapon one can carry. The depth and vulnerability that Quan brings to Waymond is irreplaceable. His comeback in Hollywood is one that will be remembered, and his work as Waymond is a testament that he’s belonged this whole time.
Image Source: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Best Lead Actress
Winner: Michelle Yeoh
Snub: Viola Davis (The Woman King)
Already having earned a Golden Globe for her work as Evelyn Wang in EEAAO, Michelle Yeoh is the strongest contender to receive an Oscar for the same performance. In the A24 film, Yeoh portrays Evelyn Wang — an Asian-American immigrant who is tasked with saving her world from Jobu Tupaki, an infinitely powerful time traveler whose adopted sense of nihilism has convinced her the world is pointless, and should thusly be destroyed.
As Evelyn races to save her world, she discovers new, profound meanings to her life, her personal relationships, and the universe as a whole. Yeoh’s performance as Evelyn is breathtaking. She seamlessly plays out the unrelenting struggles that come with breaking generational trauma, healing relationships you never meant to damage, and finding good in a world that seems to have dealt you nothing but bad cards. Yeoh has earned every accolade she’s received for this role, and I personally cannot wait to see her receive such a high honor for her work.
Image Source: MICHAEL TRAN/AFP/Getty Images
Best Lead Actor
Winner: Brendan Fraser
Snub: Tom Cruise (Top Gun: Maverick)
Brendan Fraser’s performance in The Whale was one of the most anticipated of 2022, and since its release has been widely praised by critics as being the seminal performance of his career. Fraser plays Charlie in The Whale, a 600 pound man who is so haunted by his past that he lets his present and future wilt away. Every scene Fraser is in is multifaceted — there is never a moment where his eyes aren’t conveying a deeper meaning to the words he’s saying.
With that extreme level of depth, Fraser brings focus to the complexities of eating disorders and grief. Charlie is a tortured character, and Fraser’s commitment to his role leaves audiences able to understand that Charlie is more than a caricature of a fat man, but rather a human being who is slowly drowning under a relentless wave of grief and pain. His performance has prompted the Internet to call this awards season the “Brenassance,” and I’m inclined to agree.
Image Source: Michael Kovac/Getty Images
Best Director
Winner: Steven Spielberg
Snub: Sarah Polley (Women Talking)
While all the nominees in this category stand out in their own way, Spielberg’s work on his semi-autobiographical film The Fablemans is likely to win him the Oscar for Best Director. The Fablemans follows its protagonist, Sammy Fableman, as his love for film and hopes of becoming a filmmaker grow throughout his life. However, this movie doesn’t focus solely on Sammy’s career and aspirations, but rather examines how his family’s support affects his dreams.
The dynamics between Sammy, his parents, and his siblings drive the film forward — adding significant depth to the movie. Overall, this film stands as a moving testimony to Spielberg’s love for not just film, but his family as well. Spielberg has also received the Golden Globe in the same category for The Fablemans, thus making it that much more of a front runner for the Oscars.
Image Source: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images
Best Picture
Winner: Everything Everywhere All at Once
Snub: The Woman King
Two rocks with googly eyes sit upon a cliff, having a conversation that is entirely conveyed through subtitles, with only the ambient sounds of the desert playing in the background. That may not sound like a scene in an Oscar nominated film, but it is, in fact, one of the most loved and notable scenes to come out of Everything Everywhere All At Once. This A24 film powerfully explores generational trauma, familial love, and the power of kindness through a vast multiverse filled with endless variations of the film’s protagonist.
While the film does an excellent job exploring its established multiverse and cultivating a fun sci-fi adventure, the real focus of the film is on the dangers of nihilistic worldviews, and how even a drop of optimism could potentially save the world. EEAAO is nearly a perfect movie — from its soundtrack, cinematography, editing, to the performances its actors give. It’s the most deserving Oscar nominee, and has a good chance of winning based on its performance at other award ceremonies.
Image Source: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
25 Hollywood Stars To Watch in 2023
25. Olivia Cooke
Although Olivia Cooke is by no means new to acting, her most recent role in HBO’s House of the Dragon has brought significant attention to her career. Playing an older Alicent Hightower, Cooke stepped into the role after Emily Carey spent the first five episodes establishing the beginning of Hightower’s arc. Cooke stood out as Hightower, a fierce mother and protector of her children — all of whom are fighting for the Iron Throne. House of the Dragon already has a strong following, and will likely only grow more popular as it moves forward. This means Cooke will continue to show off her impressive acting chops, and find more opportunities outside of the Game of Thrones universe. Her career is just beginning to skyrocket, and will only soar higher in 2023.
Image Source: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
24. Xochitl Gomez
Though relatively new to acting, Xochitl Gomez has already begun collecting impressive acting credits. She’s already established her spot in television by landing a main role in Netflix’s The Babysitter’s Club. On top of that, she made her debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as America Chavez in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In the film, Chavez becomes Stephen Strange’s companion — jumping through the multiverse with him as they flee the Scarlet Witch who wants to harvest Chavez’s powers for herself. This film has set Gomez up to play a crucial role in the future of Marvel, and its new venture with the multiverse. Her career is just beginning, and has huge potential!
Image Source: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
23. May Calamawy
In recent years, May Calamawy has made a name for herself in hits like Hulu’s Ramy and Disney+’s Moonknight. She’s been steadily proving her range, showing her skill as a comedian, action star, and dramatic actress. 2023 looks to be promising for Calamawy, as she has several projects lined up. Namely, she’ll be voicing a character in Disney’s newest show, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. She also will be starting in Duke Johnson’s next thriller, The Actor. Calamawy continues to prove her skill and tact, and should be watched as an up and coming star for the next year!
Image Source: VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images
22. Kiki Layne
The past four years have been busy for Kiki Layne. From If Beale Street Could Talk to Coming 2 America, she’s been booking quite a range of roles in successful films. Her most recent role, however, seems to have been overshadowed by the drama attached to the project itself. Layne played Margaret in Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling.
Without spoiling the film, I can say that Layne plays an increasingly distressed housewife — one whom begins to suspect the town she lives in isn’t quite right. Layne plays this character with absolute mastery over her craft. She doesn’t need lines to express emotion. All she needs is to look into the distance, and everything she feels will be in her eyes. With her name attached to such a huge project, I believe she’ll see more roles in 2023 that allow her to showcase her incredible talent.
Image Source: Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images
21. Simu Liu
Simu Liu broke into the world of stardom after starring as Shang Chi in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. While his character is poised to play a large role in the future of Marvel, Liu has found success outside of Marvel in the last year, and has several films lined up for 2023 and beyond. Namely, Liu can be seen playing a Ken doll in Greta Gerwig’s heavily anticipated film Barbie (premiering next year).
Liu has been extremely successful at proving he can be more than just an action star as he acclimates to his new status as a Marvel superhero. The versatility he’s proving himself capable of makes him an actor to look out for, as he’s going to continue to show his impressive range. In the meantime, you can look forward to catching him as a Mattel toy in 2023!
Image Source: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
20. Alaqua Cox
Alaqua Cox made her acting debut in the 2021 Disney+ series Hawkeye. As a deaf Native American actress, she made a large impact in her role as Echo — one of the show’s antagonists. Her presence on the show brought about an opportunity for a show with a major platform to use American Sign Language. However, her character was not centered around her deafness; rather, she was a character with unrelated priorities, motives, and vengeances to seek out. Her deafness just happened to be there, and simultaneously provided a great chance for the deaf community to feel represented. Echo will be getting her own spinoff show, set to debut on Disney+ in 2023.
Image Source: Corey Nickols/Getty Images
19. Austin Butler
Austin Butler has spent the last two decades primarily guest starring on popular children’s shows, with the exception of his short lived role on The Carrie Diaries. However, none of those roles even came close to showcasing the actor he’s had the potential to be. However, Butler proved himself to be a profoundly talented actor in 2022. Every iota of talent, dedication, and passion he contains as an actor went into his portrayal of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic, Elvis, and it translated on screen.
Butler transformed into Elvis in every way possible, from his body movements to his voice to the gauge of his step. The role has already earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, and there still is buzz that he’ll earn an Oscar nom, too. 2023 will be the year his grueling work for the biopic pays off, and it’s easy to say he’s earned it.
Image Source: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
18. Camila Morrone
Camila Morrone is an Argentine-American model and actress. Despite having a limited filmography thus far, Morrone should anticipate her career growing by leaps and bounds in 2023, as she’ll be debuting as Camila Dunne in Amazon Prime’s Daisy Jones and the Six. Morrone is not only playing a critical character in the series, but is also playing the heartbeat of the story. Wife to rock n’ roll singer Billy Dunne, Camila navigates the stresses of being a stay at home while trying to maintain trust in — and provide unconditional love — to her workaholic husband.
While the members of the band are chaotic and unmoored, Camila provides a sense of stability to whatever room she’s in, and represents a more grounded life that Daisy and the Six can’t quite comprehend. The emotional depth that this character requires will allow Morrone to really show off her acting abilities, and should give her a place in Hollywood.
Image Source: Taylor Hill/WireImage/Getty Images
17. Melissa Barrera
Melissa Barrera has proved her range as an actress in the past couple of years, going from playing Vanessa in the 2021 movie-musical adaption of In the Heights to playing Sam, the lead of the newest Scream film. With Neve Campbell not returning for the next Scream installment, Barrera has effectively been passed the final girl torch, making this next film a huge chance for her to showcase her scream queen capabilities. With limited film credits, Barrera has managed to make a big splash by immediately entering such a huge franchise. However, she’s proven herself capable of the challenge. Barrera is a name to watch, having already established herself capable of acting across genres. 2023 promises to continue to open doors for this new scream queen.
Image Source: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
16. Iman Vellani
Iman Vellani is only twenty years old, and is making waves in the acting world already. She made her acting debut this year as Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, in the Disney+ series Ms. Marvel. Vellani brings a sweetness and charm to Khan that the character requires; it’s hard to picture anyone else playing her. Like others on this list, Vellani’s character is getting set up to play a vital role in the future of the MCU. As phase five develops, her character will have a more clear place in the cinematic universe. This means one very important thing: Vellani is here to stay.
Image Source: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
15. Janelle James
Janelle James has become the breakout star of ABC’s hit sitcom, Abbott Elementary. She plays Ava Coleman, Abbott’s unskilled and equally uninterested principal. James plays her role with tact, knowing how to push Ava’s self-centeredness and sarcasm just far enough to keep her character outlandish, but still likable. She also masterfully adds a layer of humanity to Ava, allowing empathy to seep into her eyes in moments where it’s needed. James’ ability to carefully walk the tightrope of Ava’s personality keeps her likable. James has proven her capabilities as a comedian and actress in this role, and I believe her career will continue to flourish in the new year.
Image Source: Mike Coppola/Getty Images
14. Jenna Ortega
Jenna Ortega has dominated every single role she has taken on in the past year. Most notably, she starred as Wednesday Addams in Wednesday — Tim Burton’s take on the beloved character in her teenage years. On top of that record breaking series, she also starred in the popular A24 film X, where she shined as a horror star and carved out space for her to be a scream queen. She also played a crucial role in the latest Scream film, further etching her name into the horror genre.
While her 2022 was undeniably busy, her 2023 is gearing up to be equally full with three movies lined up. Although it’s too early for Wednesday to get renewed, it has broken records for Netflix viewership, so it feels a given that it gets a second season. Ortega’s career is beginning to blast off, and is only headed to greater places in 2023.
Image Source: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
13. Emma D’Arcy
Emma D’Arcy made their debut as Rhaenyra Targaryen five episodes into HBO’s Game of Thrones spinoff, House of the Dragon. D’Arcy took on a huge responsibility in playing this character. Not only were they playing a character that’s integral to Games of Thrones lore, but they were also stepping into the show as an older version of the character.
Milly Alock played the princess in the first half of the series, meaning that D’Arcy would have to match the expectations for the character that Alock had already set, and still find ways to develop the character and add nuance to her. D’Arcy proved quickly that they were up for the challenge, and masterfully portrayed Rhaenyra in such a crucial stage of her life. House of the Dragon is guaranteed to blow open doors for D’Arcy, and their career is one to look out for going into 2023.
Image Source: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
12. Joseph Quinn
Thanks to season four of Stranger Things, Joseph Quinn went from being a small actor whose credits are primarily miniseries, to becoming a breakout star with a strong and loyal cult following. Not only did fans across the globe adopt Eddie Munson — his rebellious, D&D loving character — as a fan favorite, but they adopted Quinn as well. Thanks to apps like TikTok and Twitter, there is currently a small army of Stranger Things fans who would rush to any theater, or subscribe to any streaming site, just to consume content he participates in.
On top of his newest following, Quinn displayed genuine talent in his role as Munson. A character that could’ve been perceived as a greasy loser repeating senior year for the umpteenth time, became charming and lovable through the quirks that Quinn added. Between his now strong fanbase and proven acting chops, 2023 promises to be a good year for Quinn.
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11. Dominique Thorne
2022 has treated Dominique Thorne kindly. Making her debut as Riri Williams — aka Ironheart — in Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Thorne has officially stepped into the MCU and begun the groundwork for her character. Riri is meant to play an integral role in the upcoming phase five of the MCU. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is Thorne’s third ever professional acting role, and she brings just the right level of sass and genuiness to a character that’s meant to be Iron Man-adjacent. Thorne is also set to be the star of her own Disney+ series, Ironheart. All signs point to her becoming one of the leading ladies of the MCU’s future, meaning her career is one to keep a close eye on.
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10. Mia Goth
Mia Goth is slowly but surely becoming Gen Z’s top scream queen. In 2022, she starred in both X and Pearl, which are part of a soon-to-be horror trilogy by A24. In X, she plays both Maxine — a wannabe porn star in the 70s — and Pearl, an old lady who allows Maxine and her friends to rent space on her farm to film adult movies. As the film unravels, they realize that Pearl is a perverted murderer, and age doesn’t stop her from acting on any of her impulses.
Pearl, then, is the elderly lady’s origin story. Goth plays a young Pearl, who is desperate to break out of her rural hometown and be the star she feels she’s destined to be. Over the span of only two movies, Goth has perfected how to play the hunter and the hunted. Her emotional range seems to know no bounds, and her ability to captivate an audience is unmatched. Goth is set to star in the final movie of the trilogy, titled MaXXXine, which will be the sequel to X.
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9. Ben Wang
Ben Wang is set to star as the main character in the upcoming Disney+ original series, American Born Chinese. This series is based on Gene Luen Yang’s novel of the same name, and follows Jin Wang (Wang) as he navigates being a teenager and starting at an American school for the first time. On top of beginning at a new high school and navigating his home life, Wang becomes involved in a war between Chinese mythological gods.
Overall, this series has tons of potential to be a hit, as it incorporates elements of fantasy, mythology, coming-of-age, and comedy. The cast is also an impressive blend of fresh actors and stars, with Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan are set to appear in the series, as well. Considering Ben Wang is currently an unknown actor, this series has serious potential to transform him into a household name.
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8. Kathryn Newton
Having procured small roles in notable works through the years, Kathryn Newton has been proving for some time now that she’s up for the challenge of taking on a bigger role. Marvel has provided her with that opportunity, as she will be playing Cassie Lang in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania — set to debut in February of 2023. In the first two Ant-Man films, Cassie was played by Abby Ryder Fortson, an adorable young girl who brought just the right amount of sweetness and sassiness to the role. However, the events of Avengers: Endgame brought about a time jump in the MCU, and Cassie is now well into her teen years.
Quantumania will be Newton’s debut as Cassie, seeing as they had originally casted Emma Fuhrmann as the character in Endgame. Newton has a huge chance here to make the character her own, and make an imprint on the MCU — seeing as the future of the cinematic universe rests on the new, young generation of Avengers. Her career is guaranteed to skyrocket from the premiere of this movie, and I personally can’t wait to see her collect the accolades she deserves.
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7. Percy Hynes White
Although only 21 years old, Percy Hynes White has racked up an impressive amount of acting credits having started his career at seven years old. However, it’s his most recent role in Netflix’s hit show Wednesday that has shot him into newfound fame. Tim Burton’s newest series, a spin-off of The Addams Family franchise, explores Wednesday Addams’ time as a teenager at Nevermore — a boarding school for the supernatural. White plays Xavier Thorpe, a fellow Nevermore student with supernatural gifts who quickly befriends Wednesday upon her arrival.
He spends the season struggling with the lack of control he feels over his powers while simultaneously pining for Wednesday, who is suspicious of his connections to a string of murders happening near campus. White shows true mastery over his craft as his character develops over the course of the season, somehow making him seem continuously suspicious but simultaneously vulnerable and worthy of empathy. He’s earned all the recent praise, and will continue to receive it through 2023.
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6. Tenoch Huerta
Tenoch Huerta has had a good year. Already a seasoned actor, Huerta has found much success in making Mexican movies and television shows — resulting in a career that has spanned over multiple decades. However, 2022 was the year that Huerta skyrocketed to global fame for his role as Namor in Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Huerta’s Namor is a complicated antagonist, as his motives and traumas are similar to that of the film’s Wakandian protagonists. However, while the Wakandians choose to keep to themselves, Namor feels the need for his people to seek revenge — putting him at odds with Shuri and the rest of the Wakandian government.
Huerta does an impressive job showing the layers there are to Namor. While the audience may not root for him, they can’t help but see the trauma that lives behind his eyes at all times, driving him forward throughout the film. Seeing as this role has shot Huerta into worldwide fame and put him on Hollywood’s radar, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him pop up in more big budget films in 2023!
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5. Riley Keough
Riley Keough has been making movies since 2010. Though she’s been in some notable works, such as The Runaways (2010), Magic Mike (2011), and Zola (2020), Keough has yet to make herself a household name in the way many of her co-stars have. However, with the debut of Amazon Prime’s miniseries Daisy Jones and the Six, I believe that will soon change. Based on the Taylor Jenkins Reid novel of the same name, DJATS follows the rise and fall of a fictional rock ‘n’ roll band in the 1970s. Keough plays the titular Daisy Jones, a Stevie Nicks-esque figure who finds solace on stage amongst her struggles with drugs, alcohol, and loving the right person at the wrong time. The miniseries drops March 2023, and promises to leave Keough with a larger legacy than what she started with.
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4. Haley Lu Richardson
Haley Lu Richardson is no stranger to Hollywood. Having procured her fair share of guest spots on television through the last decade, and earning roles in films like Edge of Seventeen (2016) and Five Feet Apart (2019), Richardson has been in the acting game for some time. However, her role in season two of The White Lotus has finally brought her well earned praise from the critics of Hollywood. Richardson plays Portia, a fresh college graduate and assistant to the ever frazzled Tanya (portrayed by Jennifer Coolidge).
Richardson does a masterful job portraying the inherent confusion that comes with existing in your 20s. She doesn’t know what to do with her life, yearns for an exhilarating adventure, and is too bored with life to accept that dating a nice guy might be a good idea. With the amount of award buzz associated with The White Lotus, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Richardson find further success as audiences see the depth she brings to characters.
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3. Stephanie Hsu
With a small stack of acting credits that include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and MTV’s Girl Code, actress Stephanie Hsu has accumulated her fair share of roles in the past decade. However, 2022 has proven to be her breakout year, as she has shot to stardom after starring in A24’s Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. Playing both the protagonist’s daughter and the villain of the story (who are, in fact, two entirely separate characters — who are we to judge the rules of the multiverse?), Hsu demonstrates the full range of her acting abilities.
She not only plays Joy with an expert sense of somberness, but simultaneously masters the idiosyncrasies between Jobu (the story’s villain, and a version of Joy from another universe) and Joy so that the audience can see where they are the same, and where the split into entirely different people. Providing a sense of humanity to a villain hellbent on destroying the multiverse is no small task, but Hsu does it with a sense of effortlessness that must be seen to be believed. There’s a reason that Hsu has significant buzz surrounding her name for the 2023 awards season, and I’m inclined to believe that this is just the beginning of what will be a long and successful Hollywood career.
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2. Bella Ramsey
Bella Ramsey made her debut on television at 13 years old, playing Lyanna Mormont in the global hit Game of Thrones. Though she only appeared in nine episodes, her character made a profound mark in the show’s legacy. The impact that Ramsey made in such a short period of time on the show is a true testament to her acting skill, especially considering her young age at the time of filming.
Though the projects she has done since have not been as popular as Game of Thrones (then again, what can be?) Ramsey is set to star as the lead of HBO’s upcoming series, The Last of Us. Based on a video game, this post-apocalyptic adventure is set to debut in early 2023. Considering that her acting skills were strong enough to make her stand out amongst a top-tier cast six years ago, I am confident that she is going to steal every scene she is in as the lead of the show.
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1. Jonathan Majors
Jonathan Majors is set to have an impressive 2023. Although having already appeared in the miniseries Loki as Kang the Conqueror, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will be his first official appearance in phase five of the cinematic universe. Kang is said to be one of the main villains of this phase, meaning his role in this film will just be laying the groundwork for his future appearances. On top of that, he also has a major role in Creed III. He’ll be playing a figure from Creed’s (Michael B. Jordan) past, one who has come back to seek revenge and find the fame he feels he deserves. Overall, 2023 is going to be a busy year for Majors as he continues to demonstrate his range as an actor.
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