Top 10 Best Performances the Oscars Ignored in the Last Decade
#10: Lupita Nyong’o as Adelaide & Red “Us” (2019)
Throughout this horror tale, the lead actress was tasked with playing two complex roles. Nyong’o started off the movie playing a fiercely protective mother named Adelaide. When doppelgangers crawled out of the shadows, the actress also took on the role of the sinister Red. Not only did both of Nyong’o’s characters flesh out their backstories and motivations, but they also clashed on several occasions. The two performances she provided were so distinct that it felt like the duo was played by separate actresses. Although Nyong’o brought two three dimensional characters to life at once, she didn’t receive a single Oscar nod. It’s a shame that her incredible range wasn’t enough to win over the Academy.
#9: Charles Melton as Joe Yoo “May December” (2023)
A vocal group of moviegoers were shocked when this star wasn’t nominated for best supporting actor. In “May December”, he played Joe, a man who married a woman whom he had an inappropriate encounter with when he was younger. Although he seemed calm and collected on the outside, there was a constant sense that he was processing lots of pain underneath the surface. Melton’s largely reserved performance made the moments where he expressed strong emotions really stand out. The actor did a tremendous job capturing Joe’s inner turmoil and the weight of the heavy subject matter. Even though Melton won’t earn a golden statue for his work, his nuanced performance isn’t likely to be forgotten.
#8: Adam Sandler as Howard Ratner “Uncut Gems” (2019)
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The Happy Madison comedian turned in what’s arguably his best dramatic role to date in a tense 2019 drama. During “Uncut Gems”, Sandler played a jeweler whose obsession with gambling gets him in trouble with celebrities and loan sharks alike. Although the character was responsible for own misery, the actor managed to make us feel incredibly sympathetic for his plight. Sandler’s likable performance got us fully invested in seeing if Howard’s luck would run out by the end of the film. Although critics and audiences called for the actor to be in the running for Hollywood’s biggest night, he was completely shut out of the race. Sandler put so much into his dramatic gamble that it was surprising that it didn’t pay off.
#7: Leonardo DiCaprio as Ernest Burkhart “Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023)
It was great to hear that Lily Gladstone’s work in this dark drama had earned her a best actress nod. However, it was surprising to learn that her co-lead Leonardo DiCaprio had been completely shut out. He initially played Ernest as a naive man who is unaware of who is committing heinous crimes against the local Osage people. But as the film goes on, it’s revealed that the character was actively participating in crimes against the community and his own family. While we never feel bad for Ernest, DiCaprio gives us insight into how the real life-man might’ve justified his horrible actions. That’s why it was a bit shocking to hear that the actor’s layered portrayal was completely overlooked by the Academy members.
#6: Margot Robbie as Barbie “Barbie” (2023)
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Playing one of the most iconic pop culture characters of all time sounds like a daunting task. But Margot Robbie made it look absolutely effortless when she starred as “Barbie”. After the cheery character started having negative thoughts, she went on a journey to uncover the issue. Along the way, Barbie was forced to confront hard truths about gender inequality and societal expectations. Robbie expertly guided us through every step of the title character’s emotional journey. She also kept the film fun by nailing every single punchline that came her way. While the movie itself was quickly placed in the conversation for best picture, the Academy was silent about Robbie. The actress arguably deserved more notice for a role that she was practically made for.
#5: Viola Davis as General Naninsca “The Woman King” (2022)
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Nearly a decade after winning an Oscar for her role in “Fences”, Viola Davis seemed poised to receive top honors for “The Woman King”. In the latter film, she played an uncompromising Dahomey general who wasn’t afraid to charge into battle alongside her soldiers. Davis looked like a true warrior every time she appeared in one of the film’s slick fight scenes. And while General Nanisca was unquestionably tough, the actress gave her hints of vulnerability too. Although it seemed like Davis would lead the Oscar race, her efforts went unnoticed for the 2023 ceremony. It was stunning that there wasn’t enough room to honor “The Woman King”.
#4: Jake Gyllenhaal as Louis "Lou" Bloom “Nightcrawler” (2014)
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There are times where an actor disappears into a role so much that it’s easy to forget that the person on screen isn’t real. Jake Gyllenhaal pulled off this impressive acting feat for “Nightcrawler”. He played Lou, a scheming man who becomes obsessed with capturing gripping footage that he can sell to news stations. As the character crossed more and more lines to get the best scoops, we questioned whether the hero of the story was actually its biggest villain. It was criminal that Lou’s descent into depravity wasn’t acknowledged with an Oscar nomination. Thanks to Gyllenhaal’s commanding performance, we couldn’t look away from Lou’s dark pursuit of the next big story for a single second.
#3: Toni Collette as Annie Graham “Hereditary” (2018)
While Ari Aster’s modern horror classic was full of great performances, Toni Collette was the clear MVP. She spent most of the film trying to keep herself together as grief threatened to tear her apart. While that premise could’ve led to a one-note performance, Collette brought a lot of variety to her role. She was also able to drop any semblance of humanity after evil forces took hold of her. Despite giving a well rounded performance, the actress didn’t come close to Oscar Gold in 2019. In fact, she hasn’t even been nominated for the award since the year 2000. A nod for “Hereditary” would’ve been an excellent way to end her long Oscar drought.
#2: David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr. “Selma” (2014)
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In 2015, the Academy was heavily criticized by critics and moviegoers for failing to highlight diverse performers and creatives. One of the most notable omissions from their list was David Oyelowo’s role as Martin Luther King Jr. The actor perfectly captured the Civil Rights icon’s look, cadence, and powerful presence. Oyelowo also made sure that the larger than life doctor felt grounded and relatable. At times, the actor’s King came off as so real that we felt as if we were watching a documentary instead of a biopic. While the Academy has taken steps to improve its voting process since 2015, Oyelowo’s snub still stands as one of their biggest missteps. Before we highlight our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions that the Oscars missed out on. Florence Pugh for Best Actress, “Midsommar” (2019) The Actress’ Grounded Portrayal of Grief In an Ambitious Horror Film Was Overlooked Greta Lee for Best Actress, “Past Lives” (2023) She Absolutely Shined In the Lead Role While Pulling At Our Heartstrings Ralph Fiennes for Best Actor, “The Grand Budapest Hotel” (2014) His Brilliant & Hilarious Portrayal of Monsieur Gustave H. Deserved Academy Attention Jennifer Lopez for Best Supporting Actress, “Hustlers” (2019) The Triple Threat Performer Commanded the Screen But Couldn’t Get Oscar Recognition Charlize Theron for Best Actress, “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) The Academy Somehow Drove Past Her Powerhouse Performance As Furiosa
#1: Amy Adams as Louise Banks “Arrival” (2016)
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During “Arrival”, we witnessed Dr. Louise Banks celebrate her child’s birth, worry about her preteen’s wellbeing, and grieve her daughter’s tragic loss. And that’s just within the first four minutes of the film! After Adams showed audiences a wide range of emotions in a short time, we got to see her grow and change while trying to communicate with aliens that arrived on Earth. Every time we thought we had Louise figured out, the actress added an entirely new dimension to her character. It's unclear why this incredible performance didn’t make Adams into an Oscar contender. Over the years, fans and critics alike have recognized that her role as Louise will stand the test of time. Which actor do you think deserved an Oscar nomination the most? Shout out their names in the comments.
