Continuing my recognition of the best performances of from 2023 movie year (you can see my Supporting Actress picks HERE), today we’re putting the Supporting Actors in the spotlight. Much like yesterday, this was an extremely tough category full of great choices from a variety of different movies. Narrowing them down to five wasn’t easy. So let’s get started…
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Dar Salim (“Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant”), Liam Cunningham (“The Last Voyage of the Demeter”), Matt Damon (“Oppenheimer”), Josh Hartnett (“Oppenheimer”), Peter Sarsgaard (“Memory”), Sterling K. Brown (“American Fiction”), John Magaro (“Past Lives”), Jacob Elordi (“Priscilla”), Willem Dafoe (“Poor Things”), Ben Affleck (“Air”), Jon Bernthal (“Origin”), Jonathan Majors (“Creed III”)
#5 – Holt McCallany (“The Iron Claw”)
I love seeing the name Holt McCallany attached to a movie. He has the tendency to make everything he’s in better. It’s certainly no different with “The Iron Claw”. His unsettling portrayal of the complex patriarch of the Von Erich wrestling family is an essential and pivotal piece of the story. To no surprise McCallany nails it, bringing a surprising humanity to an otherwise toxic role.
#4 – Colman Domingo (“The Color Purple”)
Lots of awards prognosticators are mentioning Colman Domingo for “Rustin”. For my money, his best performance came in “The Color Purple”. It’s a mean and nasty turn, but one that conveys everything we need to know in vividly uncomfortable detail. The second half of the film doesn’t do him any favors, but Domingo remains a powerful presence throughout the story.
#3 – Donnie Yen (“John Wick: Chapter 4”)
I knew the great Donnie Yen was going to make this list from my very first viewing of “John Wick: Chapter 4”. His performance as a blind yet lethal assassin is action-packed and often funny, yet weary and soulful. He has a great rapport with star Keanu Reeves and everything he does clicks from his character-building to his kinetic fight sequences.
#2 – Robert De Niro (“Killers of the Flower Moon”)
After so many incredible collaborations it goes without saying that Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese go together like peanut butter and jelly. “Killers of the Flower Moon” offers further proof. De Niro delivers yet another career highlight with a performance so subtly venomous yet deviously persuasive. This is a brilliant turn from the veteran actor.
#1 – Robert Downey Jr. (“Oppenheimer”)
What a career it has been for the resilient and immensely talented Robert Downey Jr. That already great career reaches new heights with his amazing performance in “Oppenheimer”. It helps to be working within the best script of the year, but Downey Jr. takes his character even further, relaying the political complexities of Lewis Strauss with such clarity and precision. Hopefully that long overdue Oscar will finally be his.
That wraps up the supporting performances. What did I get right or wrong? Stay tuned for the lead performances coming soon.
Keith & the Movies 
Haven’t seen a lot of them, but I agree that Downey’s performance in Oppy was excellent.
I really hope Downey Jr. gets the Oscar. Unfortunately it looks like Charles Melton has a lot of momentum.
Good to see DeNiro rated so highly bro. You know my love for him. That said, my favourite of the year was surprisingly Ryan Gosling for Barbie.
I thought De Niro was absolutely brilliant. He’s an essential ingredient to that film. I thought Gosling was pretty funny but he didn’t wow me like so many others did last year.
That’s the most surprising thing for me. Ordinarily, I’d go with the dramatic weight of DeNiro or Downey but what Gosling delivered made me question myself a bit. I honestly think it’s about time that comedy is recognised when awards season swings round. I don’t think there will be too many candidates but Downey himself achieved it with Tropic Thunder. Sometimes there’s just that extra something.
Completely with you. I think it’s more about “Barbie” itself being a letdown for me. You’re 100% right though. Comedies get looked down on for reasons that don’t always make sense.
I liked Jason Bateman in Air, I’m primarily basing that on a short speech he had to Sonny Vacarro (Damon) about how he needed that job, it wouldn’t be good if the big bet on Jordan didn’t work out.
That’s a really good mention. Bateman is such an underappreciated actor.
Anthony mentioned Robert De Niro in Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles
Whatever award society gives a “best supporting actor” award out….it should definitely go to Robert Downey Jr. for his role in Oppenheimer. It was quite fantastic in the part.
Yes. Soooo good. I’ve noticed new things about his performance with each new viewing. I hope he gets the win. It’s well deserved.
We totally agree on Tony Stark for Best Supporting Actor. For the rest so far…
2. Willem Dafoe – Poor Things
3. Donnie Yen-John Wick Chapter 4
4. Tom Hanks-Asteroid City
5. Jason Bateman-Air
Honorable Mentions: Mark Ruffalo & Ramy Youssef-Poor Things, Ben Affleck, Chris Messina, and Chris Tucker-Air, Jeffrey Wright, Edward Norton, & Bryan Cranston-Asteroid City, Michael Cera & Simu Liu-Barbie, & Chukwudi Iwuji-Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Barbie’s one of the better films of 2023
Not for me….
I love Downey Jr’s performance sooo much. Also love the shared appreciation for Donnie Yen. He doesn’t fit the awards season mold. But he certainly should be though!
Holt was so good in The Iron Claw. I wanted to punch him so badly, which is why I know he was so successful. lol
LOL!!! Yes! Sadly he and the film itself seems to be getting passed over this awards season. I know they were late screening it for critics, but it still deserves recognition. Maybe the Academy will come through but I kinda doubt it.
This was really an amazing year for supporting actors. So many great actors giving the performances of their careers in memorable movies. Personally, I loved RDJ’s turn the most in Oppenheimer.
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