Top ten performances of 2020
By Jake Skubish
10. Hugh Jackman, Bad Education
It feels strange to say that Hugh Jackman, one of the most successful Hollywood leading men of a generation, has gone overlooked. But that’s the case with his performance in Bad Education, an HBO original film based on a true story about a school administration mired in embezzlement claims. Jackman weaponizes his typical charm; he’s schmoozing with everyone from the beginning, but you can tell there is something broken beneath the surface. The fact that you can never quite tell whether he’s going to pull it together or go off the deep end is what makes the performance stand out. Bad Education is available on HBO Max.
9. Margot Robbie, Birds of Prey
Birds of Prey was a box office flop and summarily tossed aside upon its release in February. It’s a true shame, because Robbie is a genuine comic force as Harley Quinn, a flamboyant, ultra-violent Brooklynite just try to navigate her way through a man’s world. It’s a playful performance in a superhero movie better than nearly anything Marvel has ever put out. Birds of Prey is available on HBO Max.
8. Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, Palm Springs
Truly great rom-com performances are increasingly rare, but Palm Springs co-leads Samberg and Milioti are two of the best from the past few years. Samberg has long been a staple in network comedy but gets to showcase a different side in the film, beaten down by the world and less goofy than his usual persona. Milioti is someone I was unfamiliar with and now someone I can’t wait to see more of; even with Samberg on screen, she’s in control of every scene she is in. The two elevate broadly comic moments and also share a genuine connection. Palm Springs is available on Hulu.
7. Orion Lee, First Cow
There is nothing monumental about the life of King-Lu, played by Lee in First Cow. He lives in a shack in the American northwest with a cook (John Magaro), hatching a scheme to sell oily cakes to settlers. But King-lu imbues this landscape with philosophical grandiosity. He’s ever aware of the arc of history but always living in the moment. Lee’s performance is soothing like a warm cup of chamomile tea; his wisdom is delivered with a delicate serenity. First Cow is available for rental on most platforms.
6. Malachi Kirby, Mangrove
Mangrove centers on the story of Frank Crichlow (Shaun Parkes), the owner of a restaurant repeatedly raided by the police. Crichlow gradually moves toward an understanding of why this injustice is occurring and what he can do about it. Local activist Darcus Howe, played by Kirby, has no delusions about the state of oppression in London or what must be done. He’s self-righteous and self-aggrandizing, forcing his voice to the top of the movement. But he also carries an air of nobility that makes this voice worth listening to. Mangrove is available on Amazon Prime.
5. Elisabeth Moss, The Invisible Man
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Moss is the best actress on the planet. Her role in The Invisible Man plays to the frantic, intense desperation she carries so well. But the role is also a blast, and Moss also showcases action star magnetism. After high-stress, powerhouse performances in this and Her Smell, I’m looking forward to a more laid-back Moss in The French Dispatch next year. The Invisible Man is available on HBO Max.
4. Amanda Seyfried, Mank
Seyfried is magnificent in a supporting role in David Fincher’s Mank. She’s been a burst of energy throughout her career, whether going big (Mean Girls, Mamma Mia!) or withdrawn (First Reformed). Everyone in Mank is playing caricature, but she’s the only one who’s able to do so while also developing a fully realized individual. Her meticulous annunciation, her careful New York accent, the guileless looks she throws Herman Mankiewicz’s (Gary Oldman) way—it’s a superb performance. But as with Erica Albright (Rooney Mara) in The Social Network, an outstanding performance by a female star is only incidental to Fincher’s vision. Mank is available on Netflix.
3. Delroy Lindo, Da 5 Bloods
Lindo’s Paul struggles mightily to escape the horrors of the war he lived through, visibly wrestling with PTSD. His trauma is right on the surface, and there’s a direct correlation between this disillusionment and the “Make America Great Again” hat he proudly dons in the Vietnamese jungle. His downfall is a King Lear-level meltdown, and Lindo deftly weaves individual anguish into historical suffering. Da 5 Bloods is available on Netflix.
2. Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal
Playing someone with a disability is a tightrope walk, but as a metal drummer coming to terms with his impending deafness Ahmed is a portrait of empathy. The frustration and determination to get around an unsolvable problem is deeply felt, as is the warmth he encompasses when he embraces an accepting community. Ahmed has movie star charisma, and I hope he gets more starring roles like this one. Sound of Metal is available on Amazon Prime.
1. Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
There’s a lot made about the courageousness of Sacha Baron Cohen and Bakalova in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, and rightfully so. The experiences they put themselves in range from painfully awkward to outright dangerous, and they never break character. But the function of Bakalova’s performance is only a fraction of what she brings to the screen. Bakalova’s Tutar is inquisitive, uninhibited, frightened, and batshit crazy in all the right moments. She pranks Rudy Giuliani and keeps up with Cohen, a seasoned comedy veteran. If there were any justice at the Oscars, we’d be recognizing comedic performances like hers. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is available on Amazon Prime.