Yesterday I kicked off my look back on the best performances of the 2022 movie year starting with the Supporting Actress category. Today we continue by looking at Supporting Actor. Much like the ladies, this is a category full of great performances from a variety of different movies. So lets get to it starting with a few honorbale mentions followed by my five favorites.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Brian Tyree Henry (“Causeway”), Ben Whishaw (“Women Talking”), Mark Rylance (“Bones & All”), Colin Farrell (“The Batman”), Adrien Brody (“Blonde”), Chris Pine (“Don’t Worry Darling”), Jason Isaacs (“Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris”), Miles Teller (“Top Gun: Maverick”)

#5 – Eddie Redmayne (“The Good Nurse”)

Among the several really good Netflix movies to fly under many radars was “The Good Nurse”. In it, Eddie Redmayne played Charles Cullen an unassuming nurse who was secretly a prolific New Jersey serial killer. Redmayne’s quiet restraint makes for a chilling character who hides his intentions as well as his emotions. The understated Redmayne is a scene-stealer and gives a performance that rivals (if not exceeds) his more award-winning work.

#4 – Don Cheadle (“White Noise”)

There’s not a lot of awards season chatter for Don Cheadle’s performance in “White Noise” but there should be. His wacky yet weirdly illuminating character pops up throughout Noah Baumbach’s off-beat adaptation of Don DeLillo’s wild 1985 novel. Cheadle has a blast waxing not-so-eloquently about a number of absurd topics. Yet there’s a sincerity and earnestness Cheadle brings that makes his character more than just comic relief.

#3 – Paul Dano (“The Fabelmans”)

I admit, it has taken me some time to warm up to Paul Dano as an actor. But lately I’ve started to see what others have been drawn to. He was terrific in “The Batman” from earlier in the year. But he really won me over as the well-meaning but linear-thinking father in Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans”. Dano is utterly convincing but also heartbreaking. I loved what he brought to his surprisingly layered character.

#2 – Barry Keoghan (“The Banshees of Inisherin”)

The 30-year-old Barry Keoghan opened a lot of eyes this year with his stunning performance in Martin McDonagh’s brilliant “The Banshees of Inisherin”. Even as someone who knew he had the chops, Keoghan blew me away playing the film’s funniest, saddest, most honest, and most tragic character. It’s a tricky role that could have gone a number of different directions. But Keoghan keeps Dominic grounded, and it’s hard not to love him.

#1 – Brendan Gleeson (“The Banshees of Inisherin”)

It’s the characters who drive “The Banshees of Inisherin”, and they’re brought to life through one of the best ensemble casts of the year. Brendan Gleeson is a key reason the movie works so well. He gives a darkly funny yet dolefully affecting performance that fits beautifully into Martin McDonagh’s dour yet hilarious Irish setting. Gleeson doesn’t always get his due. But he is one of the best working actors today, and “Banshees” is further proof of that.

There you have my Supporting Actor choices. What do you think? Come back tomorrow as we’ll be checking out the Lead Actress category.