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As we quickly progress towards the end of the year, the film industry shifts into full awards-season mode. While leading roles often dominate the conversation, the Supporting Actress category has been one of the most exciting, tight, and divisive categories for the last few years. From nuanced scene-stealers to transformative turns, these ten performances remind us just how powerful the supporting category can be and are bound to receive high praise during awards season.
Also, check our list of 10 Best Actress Performances of 2025
Ariana Grande (Wicked: For Good)
Despite there being a debate over who Wicked: For Good belongs to, led by Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba or Ariana Grande as Glinda, all can agree on one thing – Grande was born to play Glinda Upland. Nominated last year for her turn in the first half of this two-parter musical phenomenon, Grande goes on to deliver an even stronger performance this time around. Her developed character arc allows her to explore heavier emotions, as Glinda is challenged with loss, heartbreak, and an internal battle of morality. Topping off her stunning performance is, of course, her vocals, again a highlight of Wicked: For Good. New original song ‘The Girl in the Bubble’ highlights not only her vocal range, but her ability to portray intense emotion. Grande has put her heart and soul into this performance, and it has certainly paid off. Many consider her a shoo-in for the Academy Award, and we are bound to see her nominated across all other award shows, alongside the Astras who already have her pegged in the Comedy or Musical category.
Elle Fanning (Sentimental Value)
Joachim Trier’s follow-up to his critically acclaimed The Worst Person in the World is full of dazzling performances, one of which is delivered by Elle Fanning. It’s always interesting to see actresses play actresses, which Fanning does during her turn as eager young Hollywood star Rachel Kemp. Kemp is given no easy task, as her on-screen director Gustav (Stellan Skarsgard) initially wanted his daughter to take the role. By playing a character that wants to prove herself, show her range, and impress the director she’s admired for such a long time, Fanning delivers one of the most memorable performances of the year as we explore family dynamics and grief. As the nominations trickle in, she is expected to be on most lists alongside the already released Astra Awards, including the Oscars and Golden Globes, even if many predict Grande to be the front-runner. Fanning also graced our screens with a stellar performance in Predator: Badlands this year, proving she can handle any script, whether it be an intimate drama or sci-fi blockbuster.
Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another)
Teyana Taylor has been in the industry for quite some time, giving great performances across multiple genres, including indie drama One Thousand and One (2023) and Coming 2 America (2021). However, her most recent big-screen performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another is gaining her the recognition she deserves. Taylor plays Perfidia Beverly Hills, a revolutionary femme fatale who is incredibly independent, and as the plot progresses, this is a detriment to her family, friends, and daughter. A complex figure who battles with her identity, beliefs, and emotions, Taylor is fierce and impressionable, holding her own against a heavily talented crowd, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn. The fact that her character is only on screen for the first portion of their movie proves how formidable she is, as Taylor has become one of the movie’s hottest talking points. One Battle After Another is likely to receive nominations across the board in many categories, including that all-important Best Picture, with Taylor expected to pad out the film’s nominations at the Oscars, Globes, BAFTAs, and more.
Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value)
This is the second entry in this list from Trier’s Sentimental Value, proving how high a contender it is this year. If any performer from this list is the poster child for the power of nuance, Lilleaas is just that. She plays Agnes Borg Pettersen, one of Gustav’s estranged daughters, alongside Renate Reinsve. Out of the pair, she is the one who roots for the family most, doing her best to bring them together and move forward. This may be because she has better memories of her father and her early life, or wishes to make the best of the situation now she has her own son, but either way, Lilleaas is convincing from start to finish. However nuanced her performance may be, this doesn’t mean she lacks punch. A somewhat newcomer that manages to stand out against a well-seasoned cast, Lilleaas puts forward an excellent portrayal of a woman who carries her pain internally. The difficulty this season doesn’t come with a lack of talent, but rather facing off against her co-star. Will Academy, Golden Globe, and BAFTA voters feel confident including both Lilleaas and Fanning as the Astras have, or is it an either/or situation?
Son Ye-jin (No Other Choice)
Whilst Son Ye-jin may be one of the least obvious and least talked about performers on this list, she provides a turn that does not deserve to go under the radar. Starring as Lee Mi-ri in the newest outing from Park Chan-wook, she complements lead actor Lee Byung-hun well by bringing her own style of humour and heart. Her character is less in the dark about her husband’s criminal antics than he thinks, with the script often allowing her to become just as funny and vibrant as him. The pair boasts exceptional chemistry, with Son balancing the love for her husband and family with the shock and acceptance of her husband’s actions masterfully. As mentioned above, her performance is likely to go further under the radar than the ones mentioned above this awards season, but this doesn’t make Son Ye-jin’s turn any less intriguing or memorable. It will be interesting to see how her luck plays out with the Oscars, Golden Globes, and other most notable bodies, as although she took home a win at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, her performance is certainly getting less conversation than it deserves.
Emily Blunt (The Smashing Machine)
Before its release, many predicted that The Smashing Machine would be a heavy awards season contender and might even see Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson bag his first Academy Award nomination. However, the film received middling reviews and didn’t make much of an impact at the box office, either. Despite this, the praise has still been high for the cast, not only The Rock, but Emily Blunt, starring opposite him. The script’s choice to focus on the tumultuous relationship between Mark Kerr and Dawn Staples gives Blunt a platform to truly shine, and she goes on to deliver one of her most impressive performances in recent years. She flourishes during those fight sequences where she emits her volatile emotions believably. Blunt’s ability to shift between a positive, supportive partner and a manic, argumentative strain on Mark becomes one of the film’s best assets, a main talking point that viewers weren’t expecting. Due to The Smashing Machine not making the waves many predicted, it is currently unclear as to whether Emily Blunt will receive a Supporting Actress nomination at the Globes, Oscars, or BAFTAs, but if she does make the list, it’s certainly warranted.
Zoey Deutch (Nouvelle Vague)
What’s better than a new Richard Linklater release? Two Richard Linklater releases! Nouvelle Vague was one of two pictures we received this year from the renowned auteur, landing straight onto the small screen on the streaming platform Netflix. Nouvelle Vague follows the story of real-life director Jean-Luc Godard as he creates Breathless, one of the first features of the Nouvelle Vague era of French cinema. Zoey Deutch stars as the icon of the French New Wave, Jean Seberg, giving her big shoes to fill. Expectedly, Deutch stuns, not only playing Seberg, but playing Seberg playing her Breathless character Patricia. It’s no easy feat to essentially nail two performances in one movie, but Deutch handles it with luminous presence and a captivating vulnerability. The issue Nouvelle Vague, and therefore Zoey Deutch is facing this awards season is that not many people are talking about it. Whether this is down to its straight-to-Netflix release model or the fact that it is yet to be released in all countries is unclear, but all those who have viewed it have nothing but praise for Deutch. Nominations may be unlikely, but this is at no fault of Deutch, who is a marvel.
Kirsten Dunst (Roofman)
Whilst on paper, Roofman doesn’t seem like the type of flick to be nominated during awards season, solid direction from Derek Cianfrance and a stellar cast meant it made a lasting impression. One standout was Kirsten Dunst, playing Leigh Wainscott in a movie surprisingly based on actual events. Leigh forms a relationship with Channing Tatum’s Jeffrey, a loving father-cum-criminal leading a double life. One of the most realistic performances on this list, Dunst plays a relatable single mother who is instantly likable from her first frame. Her strong chemistry with Tatum heightens her performance even further, which certainly goes through the motions as Leigh discovers the truth about her beau. Emotion, love for her children, and logic vs. feelings make Dunst’s performance far more memorable than we first expected. Is she likely to receive any nominations at the big ceremonies, including the Oscars, BAFTA, and Globes? It’s unlikely. However, many across the world have related to her character, and awarding bodies have been known to surprise us.
Amy Madigan (Weapons)
Every year, there is a performance within the horror genre that many claim deserves at least an Academy Award nomination, and this year, it’s Amy Madigan. Her performance in Zach Cregger’s Weapons was completely transformative, with Madigan playing the kooky, quirky, and downright creepy Aunt Gladys, the catalyst for the horror that ensues in the community. Madigan’s performance was so memorable and commendable that an Aunt Gladys spin-off is now in the works; fans simply need more of her. It’s been 40 years since Madigan was in Oscar contention, since her nomination in the same category for her turn in 1985’s ‘Twice in a Lifetime’, and though it’s unlikely she’ll land one this year due to the Academy’s frequent ‘forgetfulness’ towards the horror genre, it would be fantastic to see her make a return. She has recently received a nomination for the Astra Awards, and will hopefully see others from bodies who shed light on genre flicks. In a film full of fear, weirdness, and a slew of exceptional performances, Amy Madigan is more often than not the main topic of conversation. Seamlessly floating between sheer horror and awkward comedy, she dominates the film despite limited screen time, becoming one of the most memorable horror villains of the decade.
Nina Hoss (Hedda)
Nina Hoss’s turn as Eileen Lovborg in Nia DaCosta’s Hedda is a perfect example of a performance that changes the trajectory of a film. Of course, it was already strong before her character makes an appearance due to stellar direction and a captivating lead performance from Tessa Thompson, but as soon as Hoss enters the scene, all eyes are on her for the remainder of the run-time. Hoss plays a character that was male in the original play by Henrik Ibsen, DaCosta’s queer-centric adaptation allowing sizzling chemistry to take centre stage. Hoss’ turn can only be described as volcanic, full of energy, life, and a presence that’s equal parts mesmerising and intimidating. It’s easy to see why the titular character Hedda is struggling to get over her. This is a very full-circle moment for Nina Hoss, who actually played Hedda Gabler on stage some years ago. Many claim Hoss could be a dark horse this awards season, and she has already received a nomination at the Astra Awards for her formidable turn. Time will tell if the Academy, BAFTA’s and Globes will follow suit; film fans are strongly rooting for her.
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