Pursuit of greatness: The best actors of the decade (so far)

Since 2020, the film industry has undergone drastic change, altering what constitutes a ‘good’ actor, so which actors have exceeded mere talent and demonstrated genuine influence so far this decade?

Timothée Chalamet:

He was already a familiar face before the decade began thanks to his breakout role in 2017’s Call Me by Your Name, but after his captivating performances in Beautiful Boy and Little Women, Timothée Chalamet entered the 2020s having firmly secured a spot in the Hollywood big leagues.

Since then, Chalamet has seen nothing but success, most recently winning the SAG award for Male Actor in a Leading Role this year for his performance as Bob Dylan in biopic A Complete Unknown.

In his acceptance speech, he unashamedly declared “I’m really in pursuit of greatness,” – a refreshing break from the typical award-show list of humble thank-yous. Chalamet provides to other actors an example of pride and self-worth, championing professional drive and commitment, inspired by “the greats” who came before him. He is set to star in Marty Supreme, which premiered at New York film festival in October to rave reviews. With some viewers calling Chalamet’s performance his best yet, maybe that ‘greatness’ isn’t too far away.

Emma Stone:

The successes of Emma Stone seem never-ending. Since her spectacular lead performance in La La Land, Stone has largely pivoted away from blockbusters, starring in four of Yorgos Lanthimos’ critically acclaimed works, with a fifth, Bugonia, in cinemas this month.

Stone’s performances this decade are a testament to her range

Stone now has the liberty to be selective with the projects she takes on. Her career path highlights the benefits of commercial success for actors in Hollywood, with her recent producer credits a clear example of how hard work can lead to artistic autonomy. Stone stands out among actors as an artist with real breadth. From the childish wonder of Bella Baxter in Poor Things to the paranoia of Louise Cross in Eddington, Stone’s performances this decade are a testament to her range.

Colman Domingo:

Nominated for two consecutive Best Actor Oscars in 2023 and 2024, Colman Domingo has undoubtedly proven his talent in the past five years. His portrayal of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin was praised by critics but his work on 2024’s Sing Sing stands out as a truly unique contribution to film.

In Sing Sing, Domingo stars alongside a cast comprised mainly of formerly imprisoned actors from the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at the Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison, on which the film is based. By lending his growing star-power to a film devoted to breaking down stigma around prisoners, Domingo promotes the important work of the RTA-Arts program and other prison rehabilitation initiatives.

Set to star in the upcoming the Michael Jackson biopic, Wicked: For Good, and Edgar Wright’s Running Man, it’s safe to say Colman Domingo’s name will be heard a lot more, hopefully bringing with it conversations as important as those brought about by Sing Sing.

Florence Pugh:

Florence Pugh’s versatility knows no bounds. From the shock-horror of Midsommar to Greta Gerwig’s stunningly vivid adaptation of Little Women, Pugh is undoubtedly one of the most powerful performers of her generation. And she might just be the only actor in the game with a trademark frown.

More importantly though, Pugh has remained an unwavering advocate for actresses’ control over their own body image, writing on Instagram in 2022 that she will always push back “whenever anyone expects [her] body to morph into an opinion of what’s hot or sexually attractive.” In an interview with The Telegraph, Pugh said: “I think it’s far too easy for people in this industry to push you left and right. And I was lucky enough to discover when I was 19 what kind of a performer I wanted to be.”

Lily Gladstone:

Gladstone has become a pioneer in the industry as the first Native American to win the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture and be nominated for the Oscar for Best Actress

Lily Gladstone earned critical acclaim for portraying Mollie Burkhart in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. With this film alone, Gladstone has become a pioneer in the industry as the first Native American to win the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture and be nominated for the Oscar for Best Actress.

Through her critical success, Gladstone has become an advocate for indigenous representation, telling The Guardian: “While there’s definitely a need for more Native stories to be out there, it’s paramount they be told by indigenous film-makers.”

Considering just one film managed to propel her into a realm of public prominence, Lily Gladstone has real potential to create genuine change in the industry.

In an ever-shifting cultural landscape where the requirement of an actor is no longer as simple as talent, these stars promise to stay aligned with the fluctuations of the industry – championing artistic integrity, using film as a force of change, and pushing for equal representation.