15 Incredible Acting Performances That Just Don’t Get Enough Credit
What does it mean to give credit to an actor’s performance? If we thought it was worthy enough, we’d expect them to appear in several award shows, at least as runner ups. In any case, we would think a lot of online discourse would happen out of something we appreciated when watching the film.
Sadly, it doesn’t always happen, hence why we want to give credit to some amazing performances throughout movie history. Granted, it’s not like they didn’t get any credit, but like with anything we love, we think they should’ve gotten more.
Toni Collette, Hereditary
Toni Collette delivered a devastating performance in the 2018 horror film Hereditary. Fans of the genre were completely blown away by her terrifying and emotional work, leaving many confused as to why she never saw major award recognition.
Val Kilmer, Tombstone
Val Kilmer completely stole the show as Doc Holliday in the 1993 western film Tombstone. Shockingly, his iconic performance received zero award nominations and failed to earn him a chance at a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.
Sam Rockwell, Moon
Sam Rockwell carried the 2009 science fiction film Moon with a brilliant dual performance. Many critics felt he deserved an Academy Award nomination for the lead role, though he was not awarded an Oscar at the time.
John Goodman, The Big Lebowski
John Goodman created a legendary character with his performance as Walter Sobchak in The Big Lebowski. The role was completely overlooked by the Academy, and surprisingly, Goodman has never been nominated for or won an Oscar.
Paul Dano, There Will Be Blood
Paul Dano does not get enough credit for his dual performance in There Will Be Blood. His work was highly polarizing, with Quentin Tarantino even criticizing it openly, even though his work is one of the best in the industry.
Jake Gyllenhaal, Nightcrawler
Jake Gyllenhaal completely transformed himself to star in Nightcrawler. He played a deeply unhinged stringer who films violent, morbid events to sell to a local news station, delivering a terrifyingly good performance that deserved much more acclaim.
Ralph Fiennes, In Bruges
Ralph Fiennes shines in In Bruges as the foul mouthed boss of two London based Irish hitmen. His intense and hilarious line delivery turned what could have been a standard villain role into something truly unforgettable.
Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project
Playing motel manager Bobby Hicks, Willem Dafoe earned a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. The role showcases his vulnerability and warmth, serving as a grounded mentor and protector to vulnerable children in a deeply moving performance.
Edward Norton, Kingdom of Heaven
His supporting role as King Baldwin IV ranks among his absolute best performances. Never showing his face beneath a silver mask, he relied purely on voice and body language to convey quiet authority and incredible complexity.
Guy Pearce, Memento
Guy Pearce stars in Memento as Leonard Shelby, a complicated man living with anterograde amnesia. The film was highly acclaimed by critics, who widely praised the brilliant performances of the cast in such a complex story, although the film is rarely discussed today.
Oscar Isaac, Inside Llewyn Davis
Oscar Isaac delivered his breakthrough role playing the titular character in Inside Llewyn Davis. As a struggling folk singer trying to navigate a rough winter, he brought a perfect mix of musical talent and cynical charm.
Colin Farrell, The Lobster
Colin Farrell stars in The Lobster as a newly single bachelor staying in a hotel where singles must find a partner within 45 days. If they fail, they are transformed into animals in this brilliantly strange comedy.
Kirsten Dunst, Melancholia
Kirsten Dunst has been acting since she was a kid, earning a Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe nomination at age 12. Her later work in Melancholia proved exactly why she is one of our most gifted performers.
Hugh Jackman, Prisoners
The 2013 crime thriller Prisoners features a truly stellar ensemble cast, with Hugh Jackman still managing to stand out. His performance as a desperate father pushed to his absolute breaking point is deeply haunting and powerful.
Rebecca Hall, The Night House
Rebecca Hall stars in The Night House as a grieving widow who discovers a dark secret about the home her recently deceased architect husband built. Her ability to carry the terrifying story is what completely anchors the film.