This year marked the comeback of many big names in the industry to some new debutantes, that made a strong impact. From superheroes and spy agents to complex personalities – out of all, we bring you some of the best performances by male actors in 2022, that were noteworthy and left a good impression on the audience.
10 Best Performances by Male Actors in 2022
Austin Butler – Elvis
In this biographical film, Elvis is played by Austin Butler and the story is seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). As told by Parker, the film delves into the complex dynamic between the two spanning over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. Central to that journey is one of the significant and influential people in Elvis’s life, Priscilla Presley (Olivia DeJonge).
This film truly brought Butler into the limelight for his uncanny portrayal of the late legendary singer. Fans even pointed out the change in his personality and mannerisms, which I believe is a sign of a good actor who truly immerses themselves in the character and brings the best to the screen.
Watch this film on Amazon Prime Video.
Colin Farrell – The Banshees of Inisherin
Set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, the film follows lifelong friends Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), who find themselves at an impasse when Colm unexpectedly puts an end to their friendship.
A stunned Pádraic, aided by his sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon) and troubled young islander Dominic (Barry Keoghan), endeavours to repair the relationship, refusing to take no for an answer. But Pádraic’s repeated efforts only strengthen his former friend’s resolve and when Colm delivers a desperate ultimatum, events swiftly escalate, with shocking consequences.
Both the lead actors in this film – Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson gave a noteworthy performance, which I am sure will be identified with some prestigious awards. But the way Farrell displayed a character who feels abandoned by his friend, the sadness which turns into rage and anguish, is definitely worth the mention.
Watch this film on Disney+ Hotstar.
Paul Mescal – Aftersun
At a fading vacation resort, 11-year-old Sophie treasures rare times together with her loving and idealistic father, Calum (Paul Mescal). As the world of adolescence creeps into view, beyond her eye Calum struggles under the weight of life outside of fatherhood. Twenty years later, Sophie’s tender recollections of their last holiday become a powerful and heartrending portrait of their relationship, as she tries to reconcile the father she knew with the man she didn’t.
It is an emotional film from the debutante director Charlotte Wells and fairly new actor Paul Mescal, who plays the role of a young parent with many layers that gives us an astonishing portrait – once you put all the pieces of the puzzling layers together. Watch this film on Mubi.
Felix Kammerer – All Quiet on the Western Front
All Quiet on the Western Front tells the gripping story of a young German soldier played by Felix Kammerer, on the Western Front of World War I. Paul and his comrades experience first-hand how the initial euphoria of war turns into desperation and fear as they fight for their lives, and each other, in the trenches.
The film from director Edward Berger is based on the world-renowned bestseller of the same name by Erich Maria Remarque. In this film, Kammerer has had viewers and critics alike raving over his poignant performance, which can be deemed worthy of an Oscar. You can watch this film on Netflix.
Paul Dano – The Fabelmans
Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans is a coming-of-age story about a young man’s discovery of a shattering family secret and an exploration of the power of movies to help us see the truth about each other and ourselves. Paul Dano plays a version of Spielberg’s real-life father, an electrical engineer who adored his wife but nonetheless lost her to his best friend.
His character is an archetype of men of his generation who tend to be practical and determined to steer their son towards a career that they find suitable & understand. But at the same time, it takes him away from his own wife. In him, we see how the men repress their feelings – unable to even express the well of affection they carry. You can find this film on Amazon Prime Video.
Daniel Giménez Cacho – Bardo, A False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
Bardo is an epic, visually stunning and immersive experience set against the intimate and moving journey of Silverio, a renowned Mexican journalist and documentary filmmaker living in Los Angeles, who, after being named the recipient of a prestigious international award, is compelled to return to his native country, unaware that this simple trip will push him to an existential limit. The folly of his memories and fears has decided to pierce through the present, filling his everyday life with a sense of bewilderment and wonder.
Daniel Giménez Cacho as Silverio creates a rich, complex, fully-realized portrait of a person struggling with himself. Even though we realise we were looking at his memories, the way Silverio sees himself and the complex emotions towards his home country and career is brought is impressive without saying a lot. The film is currently streaming on Netflix.
Brendan Fraser – The Whale
It is the story of a reclusive English teacher who attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter. Starring Brendan Fraser and is based on the acclaimed play by Samuel D. Hunter. This film marks the comeback of Fraser and sheds light on his acting skills that weren’t given much limelight.
By being physically limited due to his weight and other issues, Fraser creates a compelling character who asks for empathy and understanding, from people around him and especially his daughter.
Park Hae-il – Decision to Leave
The film shows that from a mountain peak in South Korea, a man plummets to his death. Did he jump, or was he pushed? When detective Hae-joon (Park Hae-il) arrives on the scene, he begins to suspect the dead man’s wife Seo-rae. But as he digs deeper into the investigation, he finds himself trapped in a web of deception and desire.
Park Hae-il’s character seems like a strict man who goes by the rules but on the other hand, we see this obsessive side of him, as he keeps a watch on Seo-rae. The forbidden love mixed with the secrecy and thrill of a crime creates a compelling character that knows what’s right, yet can’t seem to follow it. Watch this film on Mubi.
Ke Huy Quan – Everything Everywhere All at Once
In this film, when an interdimensional rupture threatens to unravel reality, the fate of the world is suddenly in the hands of a most unlikely hero: an overwhelmed immigrant mother. As bizarre and bewildering dangers emerge from the many possible universes, she must learn to channel her newfound powers and fight to save her home, her family, and herself.
Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan as the married couple in the film, showed the real range of their acting prowess – as they embraced various characters from different multiverses. As Waymond Wang or Alpha Waymond, he left the audience with various great lines that could be found floating around the internet and a character which is rare to see. Watch this film on Amazon Prime Video.
Benedict Cumberbatch – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
With this film, the MCU unlocks the Multiverse and pushes its boundaries further than ever before. Journey into the unknown with Doctor Strange, who, with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.
Out of all the Marvel movies and shows, this is one of the few that didn’t disappoint. Benedict Cumberbatch is an acclaimed actor and the range that he brings with the multiverse of characters is worth mentioning in the list. You can watch this film on Disney+ Hotstar.
Tom Cruise – Top Gun: Maverick
After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him.
When he finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), call sign: “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose.” Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it.
This film shows Tom Cruise completely in his element as he portrays his character to the T. His strong performance was one of the factors in making the film one of the highest-grossing and leading to another sequel. Watch this film on Amazon Prime Video.
Do you agree with our list? Who else do you think should be added to the list? Let us know in the comments below.
Austin did an amazing job in his performance of Elvis. When you were watching the FIM it was like Elvis himself was on the screen not someone portraying him. There was and will only be 1 Elbis but if Elvis could speak I know he would say he he honored hom the best anyone could. The man separated himself from his own life for 3 years to soak in Elvis body and soul. When you have Elvis family and Denzel Standing behind him speaks volumes. I truly hope the academy does the right thing and rewards this man for his dedication and outstanding performance.