When A Most Wanted Man premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January, early buzz began to swell around Philip Seymour Hoffman's strikingly astute performance as a worn-out German spy pushing back against a militaristic culture of paranoia and violence. Then just weeks later, the actor was found dead in his New York home.

A Most Wanted ManPhilip Seymour Hoffman in 'A Most Wanted Man'

Now that the film is in cinemas, the talk of possible awards-season glory has risen again, as critics describe Hoffman's performance as one of his best ever. Many say that an Oscar nomination is a sure thing, and that he could very well win a posthumous honour to go along with his 2005 Best Actor for Capote.

Hoffman was nominated for three further Best Actor Oscars in his career: Charlie Wilson's War (2007), Doubt (2008) and The Master (2012). He also won the SAG, Bafta, Golden Globe, Independent Spirit and a long list of critics' group awards for Capote, plus numerous awards for other roles over the years. And critics are again likely to single out his work at the end of this year.

More: read our review of 'A Most Wanted Man'

More: A Most Wanted Man premiere [pictures]

More: Philip Seymour Hoffman is "phenomonal" in 'A Most Wanted Man'

A Most Wanted Man is the second big-screen appearance by Hoffman since his death. Earlier this summer, he garnered glowing reviews for his lead role in the dark drama God's Pocket. And there are more films still to come: Hoffman had already shot most of his scenes in the final two Hunger Games movies. Mockingjay Part 1 is released this November, with Part 2 coming in 2015.

Watch a clip from 'A Most Wanted Man':