FROM THE MAGAZINE

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.

Written by Lynn Hirschberg
Photographs by Juergen Teller
Creative Partner: Dovile Drizyte
Styled by Sara Moonves
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

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Best Performances Issue 2024

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.

Greta Lee | Past Lives

Greta Lee wears a JW Anderson dress; Tiffany & Co. necklace.

Read the full interview here.

Zac Efron | The Iron Claw

Zac Efron wears a Celine Homme by Hedi Slimane jacket, shirt, pants, and tie.

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

Phoebe Dynevor wears a Louis Vuitton dress.

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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