Like they did last year, the New York Times Magazine have gathered together some of “the best performers from the year in film” to act out short sequences for their cameras. This year, the theme is villainy, and each Oscar hopeful – from Ryan Gosling to Rooney Mara to Mia Wasikowska to Jessica Chastain and more – portrays a classic villain from cinema history. It’s pretty spectacular, so go here to watch now!

Don’t get all the references? Yeah, I didn’t either. Thankfully The NY Times were kind enough to list list all the references for us slightly less knowledgeable film buffs. There is also a slideshow of still photographs from the villainous shoot.

The full list of actors include:

Jessica Chastain, The Tree of Life, The Help, Take Shelter
George Clooney, The Descendents, The Ides of March
Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis, The Help
Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Kirsten Dunst, Melancholia
Ryan Gosling, Crazy, Stupid, Love, Drive, The Ides of March
Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Adepero Oduye, Pariah
Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt, The Tree of Life, Moneyball
Michael Shannon, Take Shelter
Mia Wasikowska, Albert Nobbs, Jane Eyre, Restless