At the risk of sounding like an old man, where has the year gone? A few days ago I shared my Top 10 movies of 2025 (check it out HERE). I always have fun putting that list together, but I also enjoy giving some attention to the year’s very best performances. So over the next few days I’ll be sharing my five favorites for each of the four major acting categories. As I normally do, today I’m kicking it off with Supporting Actress.

Honorable Mentions: Kerry Condon (“F1”), Alana Haim (“The Mastermind”), Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (“Sentimental Value”), Samantha Morton (“Anemone”), Mia Sara (“The Life of Chuck”), Hailee Steinfeld (“Sinners”), Jayme Lawson (“Sinners”), Wunmi Mosaku (“Sinners”), Sigourney Weaver (“Avatar: Fire and Ash”), Odessa A’Zion (“Marty Supreme”), Laura Dern (“Is This Thing On?”), Felicity Jones (“Train Dreams”), Regina Hall (“One Battle After Another”), Erin Kellyman (“Eleanor the Great”)

#5 – Rebecca Ferguson (“A House of Dynamite”)

Katherine Bigelow’s “A House of Dynamite” worked for so many reasons. Chief among them were the performances led by Rebecca Ferguson. She mostly appears in the film’s first act, but the in-the-moment emotional intensity she brings sets the table for this captivating, real-time nailbiter. This is yet another brilliant performance from an actress who has routinely delivered, no matter what genre she’s working in.

#4 – Caitríona Balfe (“The Cut”)

Over the next few days you’ll hear me mention several 2025 movies that came and went without getting the attention they deserved. One was “The Cut”, a film featuring another powerful supporting turn from Caitríona Balfe. The talented Irish actress was robbed of an Oscar nomination for 2021’s “Belfast”. Here she shows that was no fluke, delivering an emotionally textured performance that’s full of grit, compassion, and conflict.

#3 – Emily Blunt (“The Smashing Machine”)

With A24’s “The Smashing Machine”, most of the attention understandably went to Dwayne Johnson’s revelatory performance. But equally good was Emily Blunt as Kerr’s girlfriend Dawn, an emotional whirlwind whose volcanic relationship with Mark fuels some of the film’s very best moments. She fiercely mixes volatility with vulnerability in a way that’s both raw and realistic. Blunt continues to be one of the industry’s best.

#2 – Zoey Deutch (“Nouvelle Vague”)

Richard Linklater’s time capsule masterpiece “Nouvelle Vague” recaptured the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s “Breathless”. A key piece of that French New Wave classic was its star, Jean Seberg. An equally key part of Linklater’s film is the delightful Zoey Deutch who portrays Seberg. Not only does she look the part, but she enthusiastically captures Seberg’s charm and vitality. It’s an amazing transformation for Deutch.

#1 – Amy Madigan (“Weapons”)

It’s great to see Amy Madigan back in movie conversations and it’s happening for good reason. She stole the show in one of the year’s surprise hits, “Weapons”. Madigan doesn’t appear until later, but once she does the film only gets better (and noticeably creepier). Madigan offers up a beguiling blend of pure terror and pitch-black humor. And she’s clearly having a blast playing a villain. I know I had a blast watching her.

That wraps up the best supporting actress performances from 2025. What picks do you agree or disagree with? Let me know in the comments below. And check back tomorrow as we put the support actors in the spotlight.