6. Shameik Moore – Dope
Dope’s clever script, addicting soundtrack, and likeable characters are enough reason to appreciate the film, but Shameik Moore is icing on the cake. Moore’s portrays Malcolm, the nerdy teen caught in a bad situation. His charismatic performance is admirable and fun. He breathes life into this character in a way that nobody else could. After the film’s debut, there was talk about where he would go from there, but since then his status as a star has unfortunately died down.
Note to all filmmakers: don’t forget about Dope. Specifically, don’t forget about Shameik Moore in Dope. The film’s early release date and unconventional style definitely hurt its award chances, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be remembered. Dope was one of 2015’s strongest films. Moore is one of the primary reasons that happens to be the case. He’s a young actor that deserves to be a star.
7. Josh Lucas – The Mend
There’s a pretty big chance you haven’t seen The Mend. As of right now, it has fewer than one thousand votes on IMDb. Before diving straight into the film, let’s start off by saying that the film itself isn’t for everyone. The slow-moving plot and lack of originality can turn some viewers off. Those who give the film time, however, might find that The Mend is a surprisingly insightful look into the lives of dysfunctional families.
Giving the performance of his career is Josh Lucas, whose portrayal as the slacker brother with nowhere to go is always convincing and never dull. He’s what keeps the film moving. Despite the slow pacing, Lucas constantly keeps viewers invested. His snarky, unlikeable personality may not be endearing, but it’s frequently fascinating. Films like these need great performances to keep the audience interested. Lucas is reason enough to give The Mend a watch.
8. Susanne Wuest – Goodnight Mommy
Goodnight Mommy may not have been as terrifying as its trailer implied, but it was still incredibly well-made. The gorgeous cinematography, layered script, and haunting imagery are delightful from beginning to end. Even if the film isn’t all that scary, Wuest’s performance as the “mommy” is positively eerie. Just a look at the character and you’ll feel shivers down your spine.
The look isn’t enough to make the character though. For the mommy to truly interest the audience, she needs the right actress. Wuest proves to be right for the job the moment she appears on screen. Her transformative performance is reason enough to watch the film. Regardless of the fact that the film isn’t quite the horror classic that it promises to be, Wuest is always trying her best. The movie should not be skipped if only because Susanne Wuest does a dynamite job.
9. Ezra Miller – The Stanford Prison Experiment
The Stanford Prison Experiment benefits greatly from its ensemble cast consisting of a number of well-known young actors, including Johnny Simmons, Tye Sheridon, and Thomas Mann. All of these young stars do a great job of keeping viewers’ attentions, but Ezra Miller is the best of the bunch.
Miller is no stranger to playing troubled characters. His performances in We Need to Talk About Kevin and The Perks of Being a Wallflower are outstanding. In his latest film, he proves that these types of roles are what he is made for. He brings a raw, emotional intensity that begs viewers to keep watching. His arresting performance as a prisoner in a psychological experiment is downright hard to watch at times. Miller’s ability to stress the audience out and root both for him and against him proves that he has an acting gift.
10. Rose Byrne – Spy
In 2014, Rose Byrne surprised everyone with her hysterical performance as the wife in Neighbors (Bad Neighbours). In 2015, Byrne once again proves to be a comedic force in Spy. Spy isn’t lacking in talent, but Byrne is the one that keeps the film moving. Her villainous but always hilarious portrayal as Rayna Boyanov is the best aspect of the film.
The character could have the most cringe-worthy lines but Byrne would somehow still be able to get viewers to crack a smile. Luckily, her lines aren’t cringeworthy. Her charisma, combined with the side-splitting script, make for one of the best comedies of 2015.
Spy managed to do pretty well at the Golden Globes, but Byrne couldn’t break into the awards. The most likely reason is the fact that the supporting category is not split up by genre, which leaves only five available candidates. Still, if there was a Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy genre, Byrne would have deserved a spot without question.
Author Bio: Justin is a paraprofessional teaching assistant and full-time film enthusiast with a degree in English. When he’s not writing about films, he’s probably watching them in his spare time.