Causeway 2022
Jennifer Lawrence's best work in a long time, per Sean; a quiet two-hander with Brian Tyree Henry.
The Big Picture · Discussion
The 2022 Movie Star Ranking: 35 Under 35, Revisited
November 8, 2022/ 102 min/ Sean Fennessey · Amanda Dobbins
Sean and Amanda revisit their 35-under-35 movie star ranking a second time, prompted by new Jennifer Lawrence and Harry Styles releases, with producer Bobby Wagner weighing in throughout.
170 films across 3 segments.
AI-generated This episode was transcribed and analyzed with AI models. The matches aren't perfect — expect the occasional misheard title or a link to the wrong film.
The state of movie stardomtwo under-35 streaming releases prompted the rewatch
My Policeman 2022
Harry Styles, better here than in Don't Worry Darling, in a 1960s repression triangle.
Don't Worry Darling 2022
The comparison point for how far Styles has come as an actor.
Lady Chatterley's Lover 2022
Emma Corrin's next lead; she didn't make the cut this year.
Aged out, cut, and just missedwho fell off the list, who got cut, and who's next in line
Top Gun: Maverick 2022
Miles Teller, aged out; would've been near the top after this.
Ticket to Paradise 2022
Kaitlyn Dever, cut; the Clooney/Roberts marketing did the work, not her.
Bullet Train 2022
Joey King, cut; slightly miscast, by the hosts' own admission.
In the Heights 2021
Anthony Ramos, cut; hasn't had a film since.
The Farewell 2019
Awkwafina, cut; still her high point.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 2021
Awkwafina, cut; the fourth-lead comic-relief role that stalled her.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness 2022
Elizabeth Olsen, cut; spoiler alert for Wanda's fate.
Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody 2022
Naomi Ackie, next in line, playing Whitney Houston.
Blink Twice 2024
Naomi Ackie and Adria Arjona both cast in Zoe Kravitz's directing debut, then still titled Pussy Island.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker 2019
Naomi Ackie's underused Jannah.
Deep Water 2022
Jacob Elordi, next in line, as the hotel piano player.
The Kissing Booth 2018
Jacob Elordi's other, much bigger, audience.
Saltburn 2023
Jacob Elordi, forthcoming, opposite Barry Keoghan.
Priscilla 2023
Jacob Elordi as Elvis, in Sofia Coppola's film.
The Woman King 2022
Thuso Mbedu, next in line, as the younger lead.
The Last Duel 2021
The comp the hosts use for whether The Woman King can contend for Best Picture.
Bodies Bodies Bodies 2022
Amandla Stenberg, next in line; the heartbeat of a divisive movie.
Dear Evan Hansen 2021
Amandla Stenberg; a bad character, a good performance.
The Hate U Give 2018
Amandla Stenberg, very good.
West Side Story 2021
Mike Faist, next in line.
Challengers 2024
Mike Faist's next film, Luca Guadagnino's tennis triangle.
Barbarian 2022
Bill Skarsgard, a sneaky breakout hit the hosts feel bad about cutting.
It 2017
Bill Skarsgard's Pennywise.
Nosferatu 2024
Bill Skarsgard, likely cast in the Robert Eggers version.
Where the Crawdads Sing 2022
Daisy Edgar-Jones, cut; 'possibly never seen anyone more miscast,' per Amanda, and it still made $150M.
Fresh 2022
Daisy Edgar-Jones, very good in this one.
Triple Frontier 2019
Adria Arjona, argued for and lost; Sean's pick.
6 Underground 2019
Adria Arjona.
Father of the Bride 2022
Adria Arjona, better than the movie deserved.
Morbius 2022
Adria Arjona's forgotten role as Martine Bancroft.
Hit Man 2023
Adria Arjona, forthcoming, opposite Glen Powell.
Blink Twice 2024
Adria Arjona, forthcoming, then still titled Pussy Island.
Being Mortal
Keke Palmer's shelved Aziz Ansari film, in limbo after the Bill Murray conduct allegations.
Merrily We Roll Along
Beanie Feldstein, cut; filming Richard Linklater's decades-long production, her only project of note at the moment.
The countdown: No. 35 to No. 135 stars, all 35 and under
Dunkirk 2017
No. 35 Harry Styles: part of a CV that's 'not the worst I've ever seen.'
Eternals 2021
No. 35 Harry Styles: his Marvel stinger cameo as Eros.
Don't Worry Darling 2022
No. 35 Harry Styles: made $85M, largely on his fan base.
My Policeman 2022
No. 35 Harry Styles: this week's release, better than expected.
West Side Story 2021
No. 34 Rachel Zegler: one of Sean's favorite movies of last year.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods 2023
No. 34 Rachel Zegler, forthcoming.
Snow White 2025
No. 34 Rachel Zegler, cast as Disney's live-action lead.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes 2023
No. 34 Rachel Zegler, cast in a central role.
The Lost Daughter 2021
No. 33 Paul Mescal: a smaller, less-loved role.
Carmen 2023
No. 33 Paul Mescal, in Benjamin Millepied's dance update of the Bizet opera.
All of Us Strangers 2023
No. 33 Paul Mescal, opposite Claire Foy and Andrew Scott.
Foe 2023
No. 33 Paul Mescal, adapting the Iain Reid novel.
Scream 2022
No. 32 Jenna Ortega, picked over Adria Arjona in the hosts' one real fight; the new Neve Campbell of the franchise.
X 2022
No. 32 Jenna Ortega.
The Fallout 2021
No. 32 Jenna Ortega: her best performance, per Sean.
The Woman King 2022
No. 31 Lashana Lynch: a supporting part that jumps off the screen.
Captain Marvel 2019
No. 31 Lashana Lynch.
No Time to Die 2021
No. 31 Lashana Lynch, in the Bond franchise.
Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical 2022
No. 31 Lashana Lynch as Miss Honey.
Bob Marley: One Love 2024
No. 31 Lashana Lynch, cast as Rita Marley.
Everything Everywhere All at Once 2022
No. 30 Stephanie Hsu: in the Best Supporting Actress conversation, alongside Michelle Yeoh.
The Fall Guy 2024
No. 30 Stephanie Hsu, forthcoming, opposite Ryan Gosling.
Stars at Noon 2022
No. 29 Joe Alwyn: the mysterious British operator.
The Souvenir Part II 2021
No. 29 Joe Alwyn.
Kinds of Kindness 2024
No. 29 Joe Alwyn, then known as End (Yorgos Lanthimos's other movie), opposite Emma Stone.
X 2022
No. 28 Mia Goth.
Pearl 2022
No. 28 Mia Goth: one of the best performances of the year, per Sean.
High Life 2018
No. 28 Mia Goth.
Emma. 2020
No. 28 Mia Goth.
Infinity Pool 2023
No. 28 Mia Goth, forthcoming, from Brandon Cronenberg.
MaXXXine 2024
No. 28 Mia Goth, closing out the X trilogy.
Black Panther 2018
No. 27 Letitia Wright.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 2022
No. 27 Letitia Wright, out this week, presumed to center on her.
Death on the Nile 2022
No. 27 Letitia Wright, a film Sean was 'angry' about.
Cha Cha Real Smooth 2022
No. 26 Dakota Johnson, in one of the year's weirder roles.
Persuasion 2022
No. 26 Dakota Johnson: 'really, really offensive,' per Amanda.
Madame Web 2024
No. 26 Dakota Johnson, cast as the Spider-Man-universe clairvoyant.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 2021
No. 25 Simu Liu: moved up nine spots on the strength of this.
Barbie 2023
No. 25 Simu Liu, forthcoming.
Arthur the King 2024
No. 25 Simu Liu, forthcoming.
No Time to Die 2021
No. 24 Ana de Armas: arguably the best part of it.
Deep Water 2022
No. 24 Ana de Armas: 'a gift to me,' per Sean, who liked it alone.
The Gray Man 2022
No. 24 Ana de Armas: not the worst part, for once.
Blonde 2022
No. 24 Ana de Armas: one of the year's least favorite movies, not her fault.
Ghosted 2023
No. 24 Ana de Armas, forthcoming, opposite Chris Evans.
Captain Marvel 2019
No. 23 Brie Larson: her biggest franchise.
Just Mercy 2019
No. 23 Brie Larson: her last movie, three years ago.
The Marvels 2023
No. 23 Brie Larson, forthcoming.
Fast X 2023
No. 23 Brie Larson, forthcoming: 'plug and play' casting, per Amanda.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer 2017
No. 22 Barry Keoghan, opposite Colin Farrell.
Dunkirk 2017
No. 22 Barry Keoghan.
The Green Knight 2021
No. 22 Barry Keoghan.
Eternals 2021
No. 22 Barry Keoghan, probably the best role in it.
The Batman 2022
No. 22 Barry Keoghan, as the Joker, barely seen or heard.
The Banshees of Inisherin 2022
No. 22 Barry Keoghan: the fourth lead who leaves the biggest impression.
Saltburn 2023
No. 22 Barry Keoghan, forthcoming, from Emerald Fennell.
I'm Thinking of Ending Things 2020
No. 21 Jessie Buckley.
The Lost Daughter 2021
No. 21 Jessie Buckley: an Oscar nomination last year.
Women Talking 2022
No. 21 Jessie Buckley: 'tenacious,' per Sean, in a challenging part.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2019
No. 20 Austin Butler.
Elvis 2022
No. 20 Austin Butler: 'he has it,' likely headed for an Oscar nomination.
Dune: Part Two 2024
No. 20 Austin Butler, forthcoming, as Feyd-Rautha.
Lady Bird 2017
No. 19 Saoirse Ronan.
Brooklyn 2015
No. 19 Saoirse Ronan.
The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun 2021
No. 19 Saoirse Ronan, wonderful in about 20 minutes of it.
See How They Run 2022
No. 19 Saoirse Ronan: a slightly soft Agatha Christie parody.
Foe 2023
No. 19 Saoirse Ronan, forthcoming.
Hustlers 2019
No. 18 Keke Palmer, in a smaller part.
Nope 2022
No. 18 Keke Palmer: Jordan Peele put her at the center; 'the sweetness to Kaluuya's saltiness.'
Lightyear 2022
No. 18 Keke Palmer, voice work; a hit with actual kids, per Sean's vacation story.
Monkey Man 2024
No. 17 Dev Patel, forthcoming: his directing and starring debut.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar 2023
No. 17 Dev Patel, forthcoming, from Wes Anderson.
Pieces of a Woman 2020
No. 16 Vanessa Kirby: an Oscar nomination in 2021.
The Son 2022
No. 16 Vanessa Kirby.
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One 2023
No. 16 Vanessa Kirby, forthcoming.
Napoleon 2023
No. 16 Vanessa Kirby, forthcoming, replacing Jodie Comer as Josephine.
Top Gun: Maverick 2022
No. 15 Glen Powell: finally the big one, as Hangman.
Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood 2022
No. 15 Glen Powell, voice work.
Devotion 2022
No. 15 Glen Powell, opposite Jonathan Majors.
Hit Man 2023
No. 15 Glen Powell, forthcoming, with Richard Linklater.
Sorry to Bother You 2018
No. 14 LaKeith Stanfield.
Get Out 2017
No. 14 LaKeith Stanfield.
Uncut Gems 2019
No. 14 LaKeith Stanfield.
Knives Out 2019
No. 14 LaKeith Stanfield.
Judas and the Black Messiah 2021
No. 14 LaKeith Stanfield.
Haunted Mansion 2023
No. 14 LaKeith Stanfield, forthcoming: the Disney ride adaptation.
The Power of the Dog 2021
No. 13 Jesse Plemons.
Killers of the Flower Moon 2023
No. 13 Jesse Plemons, forthcoming, reportedly took over the lead from Leonardo DiCaprio.
Don't Look Up 2021
No. 12 Jennifer Lawrence, kind of easy to forget she was in it.
Causeway 2022
No. 12 Jennifer Lawrence: her best work in a long time, per Sean.
No Hard Feelings 2023
No. 12 Jennifer Lawrence, forthcoming: a Craigslist-ad comedy with 'super bad-ish vibes.'
Spencer 2021
No. 11 Kristen Stewart: not well received.
Crimes of the Future 2022
No. 11 Kristen Stewart: 'downright hilarious' as the third or fourth lead.
The Last Black Man in San Francisco 2019
No. 10 Jonathan Majors.
Da 5 Bloods 2020
No. 10 Jonathan Majors.
The Harder They Fall 2021
No. 10 Jonathan Majors.
Devotion 2022
No. 10 Jonathan Majors, opposite Glen Powell.
Creed III 2023
No. 10 Jonathan Majors, forthcoming, as the villain.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania 2023
No. 10 Jonathan Majors, forthcoming, kicking off his run as Kang.
Kimi 2022
No. 9 Zoe Kravitz, in a Soderbergh update of Klute.
The Batman 2022
No. 9 Zoe Kravitz, a great Catwoman.
Blink Twice 2024
No. 9 Zoe Kravitz's writing-directing debut, then still titled Pussy Island.
Last Night in Soho 2021
No. 8 Anya Taylor-Joy: 'magnificent,' per Sean.
The Northman 2022
No. 8 Anya Taylor-Joy: a top-five scene of the year, per Sean.
Amsterdam 2022
No. 8 Anya Taylor-Joy.
The Menu 2022
No. 8 Anya Taylor-Joy, truly the star, alongside Ralph Fiennes.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2023
No. 8 Anya Taylor-Joy, forthcoming, voicing Princess Peach.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga 2024
No. 8 Anya Taylor-Joy, forthcoming, as the title character.
Poor Things 2023
No. 7 Emma Stone, forthcoming: Sean claims he won it in a movie auction for a dollar.
Kinds of Kindness 2024
No. 7 Emma Stone, forthcoming, the other Lanthimos movie.
Don't Worry Darling 2022
No. 6 Florence Pugh: a disaster of a film, no bad words for her.
The Wonder 2022
No. 6 Florence Pugh, coming to Netflix.
Dune: Part Two 2024
No. 6 Florence Pugh, forthcoming.
Oppenheimer 2023
No. 6 Florence Pugh, forthcoming, from Christopher Nolan.
A Good Person 2023
No. 6 Florence Pugh, forthcoming, written and directed by her ex, Zach Braff.
Uncharted 2022
No. 5 Tom Holland: 'absolutely dreadful,' and a hit anyway.
Spider-Man: No Way Home 2021
No. 5 Tom Holland.
Cherry 2021
No. 5 Tom Holland.
Chaos Walking 2021
No. 5 Tom Holland, not a great run of picks lately.
Dune 2021
No. 4 Zendaya.
Dune: Part Two 2024
No. 4 Zendaya, forthcoming.
Challengers 2024
No. 4 Zendaya, forthcoming, the next Luca Guadagnino film.
Judas and the Black Messiah 2021
No. 3 Daniel Kaluuya: won an Oscar for this.
Nope 2022
No. 3 Daniel Kaluuya: one of Sean's favorite movies of the year.
Dune 2021
No. 2 Timothee Chalamet: the star of it, and 'everybody loved it.'
Bones and All 2022
No. 2 Timothee Chalamet: 'excellent,' per Sean, 'this generation's Leo.'
Wonka 2023
No. 2 Timothee Chalamet, forthcoming, as Willy Wonka.
Amsterdam 2022
No. 1 Margot Robbie: 'one of the most baffling experiences of my moviegoing life,' and still she was good in it.
The Suicide Squad 2021
No. 1 Margot Robbie, as Harley Quinn.
Babylon 2022
No. 1 Margot Robbie, forthcoming.
Barbie 2023
No. 1 Margot Robbie, forthcoming, the title role.
Asteroid City 2023
No. 1 Margot Robbie, forthcoming, from Wes Anderson.
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