Cannonball with Wesley Morris My Favorite Performances of the Year
Dec 11, 2025
Sasha Weiss, an editor at The New York Times Magazine and a film critic, joins to dive into a unique take on the year's best performances. They discuss standout moments, like Brad Pitt’s expressive helmet acting and the genuine friendship between Keke Palmer and SZA. Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons receive accolades for fearless roles, while A$AP Rocky’s charm earns praise. The conversation explores Julia Roberts’ risky turn, Jessie Buckley’s emotional depth, and Timothée Chalamet’s wild bravado, celebrating bold and daring performances.
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Specificity Reveals What Makes Acting Work
- Wesley Morris reframes best-of lists by isolating the specific element that makes a performance great.
- He uses hyper-specific categories to reveal the essence of acting rather than generic labels.
Helmet Acting As Movie-Star Virtuosity
- Wesley awards "Best Performance in a Helmet" to Brad Pitt for F1 because his eyes and forehead convey emotion through the visor.
- Pitt's helmet acting compresses expression, turning limited visibility into a virtuoso display.
Friendship Can Be The Film's Emotional Engine
- Kiki Palmer and SZA sell a lived-in friendship that carries One of Them Days' emotional stakes.
- Their chemistry creates an "orb" of attention that makes chaotic events feel like a love story.
