Buzz
Each year, audiences are captivated by a wave of unforgettable movies. Yet, the incredible acting that brings these films to life often goes unnoticed. This list celebrates those performances that were overlooked, underappreciated, and ignored during awards season.
10. Joaquin Phoenix—You Were Never Really Here
Who else could start this list but an actor who has consistently stayed out of the limelight? It wasn’t until 2020 that this exceptional talent finally received an Academy Award, a long-overdue recognition for his portrayal of the iconic Joker. However, two years prior, Joaquin Phoenix delivered one of 2017’s most powerful performances as Joe, a PTSD-stricken war veteran who rescues trafficked girls in the gripping crime thriller You Were Never Really Here, directed by Lynne Ramsay.
“It’s easy to claim Phoenix has never been better than in this role, but that wouldn’t be accurate,” notes film critic Sheila O’Malley. “He was phenomenal in The Master and Inherent Vice, showcasing his versatility. His career has been unpredictable, but in recent years, he’s found his footing. It’s as if he’s finally grounded, fully aware of his craft. Watching his evolution has been nothing short of thrilling.”
“At his peak, he doesn’t ‘demonstrate his craft.’ Instead, you feel like you’re simply spending time with the unique character he embodies. He doesn’t deliberately ‘stretch’ himself as an actor by taking on diverse roles. Rather, as Walt Whitman might say, he ‘contains multitudes.’ In You Were Never Really Here, he often radiates raw trauma and suicidal thoughts. His tears are devastating because they reveal his vulnerability. His piercing green eyes reflect silent agony. You’re never entirely certain what Joe will do next.”
9. Melissa McCarthy—Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Melissa McCarthy delivers an outstanding performance as the real-life Lee Israel in Marielle Heller’s 2018 comedy-drama, Can You Ever Forgive Me? Lee, a struggling alcoholic and failed writer, resorts to forging letters by famous authors to make ends meet. Despite earning a nomination, McCarthy’s brilliant portrayal was largely ignored.
“As Lee, McCarthy achieves something extraordinary: She transforms a character who is abrasive, difficult, and alcoholic into someone endearing and even heroic,” notes Geoffrey Macnab @TheIndyFilm. “McCarthy doesn’t attempt to make Lee likable or soften her blend of awkwardness and malice.” Remarkably, she makes audiences empathize with this flawed character.
8. Robert Pattinson/Willem Dafoe—The Lighthouse
It’s impossible to discuss one without mentioning the other. Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe shine together, delivering captivating performances as the leads in Robert Eggers’ 2019 psychological horror film, The Lighthouse. The duo struggles to hold onto their sanity while isolated on a remote island, serving as lighthouse keepers.
“At the heart of the film is Pattinson’s deeply committed portrayal of the reserved Winslow,” notes Alison Willmore for Vulture. “Dafoe is a scene-stealer as a salty, liquor-loving eccentric with unexpected pride in his culinary skills. (‘Yer fond of me lobster,’ he bellows at one point. ‘Say it!’) Yet, it’s Pattinson, as the grounded counterpart, who convincingly portrays the gradual unraveling of their mental stability.”
7. Ethan Hawke—First Reformed
In Paul Schrader’s 2017 drama-thriller First Reformed, Ethan Hawke embodies Reverend Toller, a pastor of a modest church in upstate New York. Toller’s faith wavers, and he descends into turmoil after a profound encounter with an environmental activist and his wife.
“Toller’s journey pulls you in with its steady, unflinching cinematography, which both quickens your pulse and invites deep reflection,” writes Justin Chang for the Los Angeles Times. “Hawke’s performance, marked by its mesmerizing clarity and depth, suggests that the most profound revelations are often the most understated.”
“Perhaps too understated,” Chang adds. “Hawke was notably absent from the nominations for both the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Golden Globes, key indicators of Oscar potential. The reason is clear. His performance doesn’t demand attention with flashy vocal tricks or elaborate makeup. Instead, it’s quietly powerful, drawing you in without overt theatrics.”
“First Reformed adds to Hawke’s impressive lineup of performances, following his nuanced portrayals of midlife crises in Before Midnight (2013) and Boyhood (2014), as well as his transformative roles in Born to Be Blue (2015) and Maudie (2017). I’d argue this role represents the pinnacle of his career, marking him as one of the most versatile and accomplished actors in American cinema today.”
6. Natalie Portman—Vox Lux
While it may not match her Oscar-winning turn in Black Swan, Natalie Portman’s performance as Celeste in Brady Corbet’s musical drama Vox Lux is unforgettable. Celeste, a school shooting survivor turned pop sensation, faces a career-threatening scandal at 31, just as she’s planning a comeback. The film juxtaposes the chaos of pop culture with the horrors of terrorism, creating a bold and thought-provoking narrative.
As film critic Luke Chanell points out, Vox Lux draws direct parallels to the Columbine High School massacre and 9/11, delving into the unexpected links between pop stardom and terrorism. This approach sparks a wealth of intriguing and challenging ideas throughout the film.
“Portman delivers a powerhouse performance that anchors the film. She embodies a mix of ferocity, petulance, and unpredictability, while also exuding vulnerability, emotional depth, and sharp intelligence. Her layered portrayal is consistently captivating, and she fully embodies the role with her bold hairstyle and confident swagger. In the climactic concert scene, she is mesmerizing and entirely believable as a global pop icon.”
5. Jake Gyllenhaal—Nightcrawler
In what may be his career-best performance, Jake Gyllenhaal stunned audiences as Louis Bloom in Dan Gilroy’s 2014 crime thriller, Nightcrawler. Louis stumbles into a new profession as a freelance videographer, capitalizing on the demand for graphic footage of accidents and crimes. His obsession with capturing the perfect shot drives him to increasingly extreme and unethical lengths.
“Gyllenhaal’s daring and immersive performance elevates Nightcrawler to one of the year’s most gripping films,” writes Jocelyn Noveck for the Associated Press. “What’s most unsettling about his portrayal—beyond his hollow cheeks, bulging eyes, and messy bun—is his smile. It’s the epitome of ‘creepy,’ a wide, self-assured grin that peaks just as you grasp the depth of his character’s madness.”
4. Lupita Nyong’o—Us
After winning an Oscar for her role in 12 Years A Slave in 2014, it’s surprising that Lupita Nyong’o didn’t receive a nomination five years later for her dual portrayal of Adelaide and Red in Jordan Peele’s horror film, Us.
“Nyong’o, a vibrant and captivating presence on screen, brings immense emotional depth and nuance to both characters. She distinguishes them with such precision and meticulous detail that they feel like entirely separate entities, as if played by different actors,” writes Manohla Dargis for the New York Times.
“She crafts unique physicality for each—Adelaide, a former ballet dancer, moves with grace and agility, while Red’s movements are mechanical and deliberate, like a clockwork automaton. Both share a rigid posture and wide, unblinking eyes, but Red’s voice is a guttural rasp, and her mouth becomes a terrifying void.”
3. Adam Sandler—Uncut Gems
Arguably delivering the finest performance of his career, Adam Sandler plays Howard Ratner, a charismatic yet reckless New York jeweler and gambling addict, in Josh and Benny Safdie’s crime thriller Uncut Gems. Sandler takes viewers on a high-octane journey through Manhattan’s chaotic streets, juggling high-stakes bets, dodging mobsters, and navigating a turbulent personal life marked by divorce and a much younger girlfriend.
“The Safdie Brothers’ Uncut Gems stands out as one of the most gripping thrillers in recent memory, with Sandler’s performance being a key factor in its success,” noted Nick De Semlyen for Empire. “This is Sandler at his peak, surpassing even his nuanced role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love 17 years ago. His portrayal of Howard is unforgettable: a blend of Job, Jordan Belfort, and Jerry Maguire, dressed in flashy attire and sporting a Star of David pinkie ring. Sandler’s Howard is a whirlwind of humor, depth, and frustration, transforming a seemingly exaggerated character into a deeply compelling and relatable figure. He embodies a flawed dreamer with such authenticity that it’s impossible to look away.”
2. Toni Collette—Hereditary
One of the most glaring Oscar oversights in recent years was Toni Collette’s performance in Ari Aster’s 2018 horror masterpiece, Hereditary. Collette portrays Annie, a mother grappling with the sudden loss of her daughter in a horrific accident. As Annie’s grief spirals into madness, she uncovers dark family secrets involving satanic rituals and a curse tied to her mother.
“Collette is the film’s greatest strength, delivering a performance so raw and visceral that it feels like she’s breaking through the screen,” Tasha Robinson wrote for the Verge. “Annie is a multifaceted character, evoking both sympathy and revulsion. Collette’s ability to convey such intense emotions makes the character’s pain palpable, even when it’s uncomfortable to watch. Her portrayal is so immersive that it leaves viewers emotionally drained.”
1. Song Kang-ho—Parasite
Bong Joon-ho’s 2019 comedy-thriller Parasite dominated the Oscars, yet the acting performances, especially Song Kang-ho’s portrayal of Kim Ki-taek, were underappreciated. Kang-ho plays the patriarch of a poor family desperate to survive. When his son secures a fake tutoring job with the affluent Park family, the rest of the Kim family fabricates their qualifications to infiltrate the household.
Bong revealed that casting Kang-ho allowed him to take creative risks. “Knowing Kang-ho would play the role gave me confidence that even the most controversial scenes would resonate with audiences. Parasite’s script includes bold, unexpected, and sometimes contentious moments, but having Kang-ho in mind eased my concerns while writing them.”
Kang-ho, a veteran of over 30 Korean films and a frequent collaborator with Bong, shared, “The characters I’ve portrayed have always resonated with Korean audiences as relatable, everyday people rather than fantastical figures.” However, in Parasite, Kang-ho steps away from his usual charm, embodying a more grounded and complex role, as noted by Patrick Brzeski for the Hollywood Reporter.
Bong reflects: “The film operates as an ensemble piece, with nearly 10 main characters sharing the spotlight equally. Yet, when we revisit the climactic scenes, it’s clear that Song Kang-ho carries the emotional weight and the film’s most daring moments, anchoring its boldest elements.”
