Honorable Mentions
Josh Brolin – Avengers: Infinity War
You should have gone for the head.
John Cho – Searching
I didn’t know her. I didn’t know my daughter.
Topher Grace – BlacKkKlansman
The movie dares to portray David Duke as, not an evil man, but as a simpering fool.
Josh Hamilton – Eighth Grade
The clueless father could be a stereotype, but Hamilton gives him depth and real emotion.
Ed Oxenbould – Wildlife
A surprising, minimal performance from a young actor worth keeping an eye on.
Top 10
Bill Camp – Wildlife
Veteran character actor gives a performance even better than his usual excellent work.
Rafael Casal – Blindspotting
What should be a star-making performance as a loose-cannon criminal struggling to find his place.
Bradley Cooper – A Star is Born
It takes a lot to change a man. Hell, it takes a lot to try.
Robert Downey Jr. – Avengers: Infinity War
We’ve got one advantage. He’s coming to us.
Sam Elliott – A Star is Born
It’s the same story, told over and over forever.
Domhnall Gleeson – The Little Stranger
You mustn’t let this business get inside you. It can all be explained.
Michael B. Jordan – Black Panther
Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors who jumped from ships because they knew death was better than bondage.
Daniel Kaluuya – Widows
Even among a brilliant ensemble, Kaluuya’s brilliant performance as a violent enforcer stands out.
Jasper Paakkonen – BlacKkKlansman
My old man always told me . . . good things come to those who wait.
Alex Wolff – Hereditary
Young actor continues to impress with deeply committed and disturbing performance.