Top 10 Movie Performances of 2020 So Far

Despite the temporary closures of movie theaters, these actors are still firing on all cylinders. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Movie Performances of 2020 (So Far).

For this list, we’ll be looking at performances in films that have had a wide, limited, or VOD release in 2020.

“Sonic the Hedgehog” (2020)
From the Riddler to Count Olaf, Jim Carrey has a long history of playing eccentric villains. It came as no surprise, then, when he delivered yet another stellar performance as Dr. Robotnik, the evil scientist who’s after Sonic the hedgehog. While some critics berated the movie for being overly childish, Carrey had a blast with it - and it showed. Not only did the role allow him to go all out with his cartoonish expressions and flamboyant mannerisms, but it also gave him a chance to show off his dancing skills in an awesome evil-plotting montage. The best part of it all? The actor has made no effort to hide his enthusiasm for a sequel. Looks like we haven’t seen the last of Dr. Robotnik.

“Emma.” (2020)
Before starring in the latest adaptation of the Jane Austen classic, Anya Taylor-Joy was known for her roles in horror movies like “The Witch” and “Split.” Playing the proud yet playful matchmaker Emma Woodhouse was a stark departure from her previous performances; but as a longtime fan of the novel, the young actress manages to embody the character to perfection. Thanks to her intimate understanding of Emma, Taylor-Joy is able to capture each facet of the young heroine’s personality, from her naive arrogance to her touching vulnerability. Plus, she shows an impeccable sense of comic timing during the movie’s many moments of slapstick humor - which is impressive, considering that this is her very first foray into comedy.

“Never Rarely Sometimes Always” (2020)
This early twenty-something actress’ stunning debut is sure to go down in indie movie history. As the lead in Eliza Hittman’s third movie, Flanigan plays Autumn Callahan, a teenager who travels across states to get a secret abortion. Despite dealing with such an emotionally heavy subject, the young actress doesn’t fall into the easy trap of melodrama: instead, she goes for a more subdued and ultimately more realistic acting style. The movie is full of silent scenes, but Flanigan doesn’t need words: her subtle body language and expressions speak volumes about Autumn’s quiet outrage. In fact, some of the movie’s most powerful scenes focus on moments of wordless understanding between Autumn and her cousin Skylar, played impressively by co-star Talia Ryder.

“Color Out of Space” (2020)
Nicolas Cage has always been an eccentric and unpredictable actor… which makes him the perfect fit for the lead role in Richard Stanley’s eccentric and unpredictable horror movie, “Color Out of Space.” In this adaptation of Lovecraft’s short story, Cage plays an awkward but well-intentioned father who descends into insanity as a strange meteorite wreaks havoc on his family farm. On one hand, the actor’s campy acting style gives us some of the most disturbingly comical scenes in horror movie history. But Cage is also able to express the true pathos of a man forced to watch his family - and the laws of the universe - unravel around him. The fact that he spends a fair amount of the movie talking about alpacas makes it even better.

“The Lodge” (2019)
Premiering at Sundance in 2019, Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala’s horror movie received widespread praise for its unnerving atmosphere and claustrophobic setting when it was wide released the next year. But what truly stands out about it is Riley Keough’s bone-chilling performance as the main character, Grace Marshall. After getting stuck in a winter lodge with her fiancé’s kids, Grace is confronted by inexplicable occurrences that slowly wear down on her mental health. Keough conveys the character’s psychological fragility through a demure and fretful attitude that makes the audience feel sorry for her; at the same time, her unsettling behavior pervades the whole movie with an unshakeable sense of dread. By striking a balance between pity and fear, the actress paints us a deeply complex portrait of a character that’s simultaneously a villain and a victim.

“The Assistant” (2019)
Inspired by the Harvey Weinstein scandal, Kitty Green’s debut feature, which premiered at the Telluride film fest in 2019 and released theatrically in 2020, stars Julia Garner as Jane, the assistant of a powerful film executive. Garner’s voice is rarely heard as we follow Jane’s struggles to cover up her boss’ acts of sexual harassment. The actress has few lines compared to Jane’s male coworkers, but she compensates for her silence with extremely eloquent body language: her uneasy posture and the strained look on her face tell us all there is to know about how grueling her job is. It takes major acting chops to convey disgust, humiliation, and hopelessness without saying a word, and Julia Garner definitely rises to the challenge. The wordless look of exhaustion in her eyes proves that silence can be the loudest scream.

“Birds of Prey” (2020)
After her performance was hailed as one of the only good things in “Suicide Squad,” Margot Robbie’s return as the unstoppable Harley Quinn does not disappoint. In “Birds of Prey,” Robbie adds a new layer of spunkiness to her performance in order to reflect the inner growth of a newly single and newly emancipated Harley. Her sassiness serves as the perfect foil to Ewan McGregor’s extravagant Black Mask, and the numerous fight scenes prove that her choreography skills are just as sharp as ever. With a fun new haircut and a heavy Brooklyn accent, Robbie gives us a new, fully uninhibited, arguably unhinged, and wildly entertaining Harley Quinn - the supervillain we never knew we needed. Joker who?

“The Way Back” (2020)
In these trying times, a feel-good sports drama about team spirit and redemption is exactly what we need. Sure, the movie takes a tried-and-tested route with the story of Jack Cunningham, an alcoholic construction worker turned coach who leads his team of underdogs to victory. But Ben Affleck steers clear of the clichés and portrays Jack in a touchingly genuine way: the actor seamlessly shifts between vulnerability and emotional distance as his character navigates the highs and lows of addiction recovery. Affleck has lately opened up about his own struggles with alcoholism, which undoubtedly helped him connect with the character in a deeply personal way. The result is what some critics have called the best performance of his career.

“Bad Education” (2019)
This Australian actor may be famous for playing the hunky superhero Wolverine, but he originally came from a theater background: and he puts his stage experience to good use in this comedy-drama based on the real life scandal of Roslyn High School. Debuting at TIFF the previous year, this 2020 crime flick sees Hugh Jackman play Frank Tassone, a charismatic superintendent who gets caught for embezzling millions of dollars from the school district’s funds. Jackman visibly had an acute understanding of the character: as the seemingly upright superintendent, he exudes a superficial confidence that’s just theatrical enough to feel insincere. When the mask falls, his portrayal of Tassone’s insecurity and frustrated ambition is almost painful to watch - but also darkly captivating.


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Alison Brie - “Horse Girl” (2020)
An Eerily Moving Take on Mental Illness

Betty Gilpin - “The Hunt” (2020)
A Reluctant Horror Heroine — & a Total Badass

Udo Kier - “Bacurau” (2019)
A Psychotic & Weirdly Funny Leader

Haley Bennett - “Swallow” (2019)
Domestic Hell & Unnatural Hunger

Hugh Grant - “The Gentlemen” (2019)
From Dapper Heartthrob to Shady Cockney Private Investigator

“The Invisible Man” (2020)
It’s not always easy for actors who have proven their worth to keep impressing audiences; but this Emmy award-winning actress has done it again. Elisabeth Moss masterfully conveys all the psychological agony of Cecilia Kass, a woman who gets tormented by her allegedly dead ex in this sci-fi horror film. As Cecilia struggles to convince people that she’s not crazy, Moss’ performance is not only gut-wrenching to watch; it’s also a powerful reminder of what real-life abuse victims experience. Not only did she nail the part, but she also actually revised the script to ensure it reflected a woman’s point of view. 2020 is shaping up to be a big year for Moss: in January, she starred as Shirley Jackson in Josephine Decker’s biopic about the iconic horror author.