Best Performances 2024: Hooray for Hollywood!
Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Greta Lee and more of the year’s most talked-about stars hit the streets of Los Angeles.
The best films of 2023 told stories about real people, real events, and real dolls. Fiction was no longer as interesting as fact; make-believe characters paled next to historic figures. There were biographical movies about Leonard Bernstein, the great conductor, and about Diana Nyad, the long-distance swimmer. Napoleon fought battles, Ferrari designed race cars, and Bayard Rustin, brilliantly brought to life by Colman Domingo, advocated for civil rights in America. Two different films told the story of real-life wrestlers: Cassandro starred a daring Gael García Bernal as a gay man upending Lucha Libre in Mexico, and The Iron Claw, set in Texas, detailed the tragic events that befell the Von Erichs, a family that included four pro-wrestling brothers. A devastatingly sad event in history—the reign of terror perpetrated by white fortune hunters in Osage Nation—was vividly told in Killers of the Flower Moon, which boasted a breakthrough performance by Lily Gladstone. Even the rare fictional movie was inspired by a ripped-from-the-tabloids event: May December was based on the saga of Mary Kay Letourneau, a teacher who seduced her sixth-grade student and eventually married him.
Last summer, films reached a fever pitch of interest that had not been seen since before the pandemic: “Barbenheimer” grabbed the attention of the world. Oppenheimer, the fascinating and terrifying account of the creation of the atomic bomb, was the most important true story of 2023. Barbie, meanwhile, asked timely questions about female empowerment and selfhood through a seemingly cheery romp about a beautiful blonde doll, perfectly embodied by Margot Robbie. And yes, there was also Ken—played by Ryan Gosling—who squares off against an army of fascinating, accomplished women, ultimately succumbing to their supremacy.
As “Barbenheimer” scored huge numbers at the box office, Hollywood went on strike. When a new contract was agreed upon in November, we immediately sprang into action. We took 28 actors out on Hollywood Boulevard, where the stars shine from the sidewalk. Our fantastic cast posed alongside cyborgs, sci-fi characters, and assorted film memorabilia; they also jumped into bushes and sprawled on leopard-print sofas. Like the year in films, these photos are a salute to reality, but with a joyous twist.
Here, we present our 13 cover stars. Stay tuned for more profiles as we present them through January 5.
Margot Robbie | Barbie
Margot Robbie wears an Hermès coat; Bode bow barrette; Tiffany & Co. earrings; Wolford tights; Jimmy Choo shoes.
Read the full interview here.
Nicolas Cage | Dream Scenario
Nicolas Cage wears a Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello shirt; Rolex watch; Falke socks; stylist’s own belt; his own pants and boots.
Read the full interview here.
Natalie Portman | May December
Natalie Portman wears a Dior dress, briefs, and sandals; Tiffany & Co. necklace.
Read the full interview here.
Colman Domingo | Rustin & The Color Purple
Colman Domingo wears a Louis Vuitton Men’s jacket and pants; Tiffany & Co. necklace and bracelet; his own earring.
Read the full interview here.
Jodie Foster | Nyad
Jodie Foster wears a Louis Vuitton jacket, vest, and dress.
Read the full interview here.
Ryan Gosling | Barbie
Ryan Gosling wears a custom Gucci suit, shirt, and bowtie; his own jewelry.
Read the full interview here.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph | The Holdovers
Da’Vine Joy Randolph wears a Willy Chavarria opera gown; Wolford dress; Van Cleef & Arpels earrings and necklace; her own shoes.
Read the full interview here.
Julianne Moore | May December
Julianne Moore wears a Chanel jacket, tights, and boots; Chanel High Jewelry necklace.
Read the full interview here.
Lily Gladstone | Killers of the Flower Moon
Lily Gladstone wears a Miu Miu coat and top; Gail Bird and Yazzie Johnson at Mahnaz Collection earrings; Prada bag; Christian Louboutin sandals; stylist’s own skirt.
Read the full interview here.
Charles Melton | May December
Charles Melton wears a Prada jacket and pants; David Yurman necklace; his own earrings.
Read the full interview here.
Robert Downey Jr. | Oppenheimer
Robert Downey Jr. wears a Burberry jacket, shirt, and pants; his own shoes.
Read the full interview here.
Taraji P. Henson | The Color Purple
Taraji P. Henson wears a Max Mara coat and belt; Bulgari necklace; Christian Louboutin sandals.
Read the full interview here.
Barry Keoghan | Saltburn
Barry Keoghan wears a Burberry vest; his own necklace.
Read the full interview here.
Margaret Qualley | Sanctuary
Margaret Qualley wears a Celine by Hedi Slimane dress and sandals; Graff earrings, necklace, and ring.
Read the full interview here.
Jeffrey Wright | American Fiction
Jeffrey Wright wears a Marni jacket, shirt, turtleneck, and pants; Boss shoes; his own glasses.
Read the full interview here.
Julia Garner | The Royal Hotel
Julia Garner wears a Celine by Hedi Slimane jacket, skirt, bag, and shoes; Swarovski earrings; Cartier watch; Falke tights; her own ring.
Read the full interview here.
Franz Rogowski | Passages
Franz Rogowski wears a Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello jacket, top, pants, belt, and boots.
Read the full interview here.
Gael García Bernal | Cassandro
García Bernal wears a Giorgio Armani suit and shirt; his own bracelet.
Read the full interview here.
Talia Ryder | The Sweet East & Dumb Money
Talia Ryder wears a Dolce & Gabbana cape and bra; Wolford tights; Christian Louboutin shoes; stylist’s own headband; her own jewelry.
Read the full interview here.
Teyana Taylor | A Thousand and One
Teyana Taylor wears a Balenciaga gown, pantalegging boots, and sunglasses.
Read the full interview here.
Justin H. Min | Shortcomings
Justin H. Min wears a Balmain jacket; Hermès shirt and pants; Christian Louboutin shoes; stylist’s own socks.
Read the full interview here.
Phoebe Dynevor | Fair Play
Harris Dickinson | The Iron Claw
Harris Dickinson wears a Dolce & Gabbana shirt, tank top, and pants; Christian Louboutin shoes; his own jewelry.
Read the full interview here.
Adèle Exarchapoulos | Passages
Adèle Exarchopoulos wears a Fendi dress, gloves, and shoes.
Read the full interview here.
Callum Turner | The Boys in the Boat
Callum Turner wears a Valentino coat, shirt, and pants.
Read the full interview here.
Sandra Hüller | Anatomy of a Fall & The Zone of Interest
Sandra Hüller wears a Dolce & Gabbana trenchcoat, headscarf, sunglasses, and bag; Wolford tights.
Read the full interview here.
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