USA TODAY International Edition
Attention, Oscars! Don’t leave these performances in the dust
Oscar voters have their nomination ballots in hand. But hear us out: We’ve got some dark horses for their consideration. ● When the Academy Awards acting field is announced Tuesday morning, you’ll likely see the feel- good comeback stories ( Brendan Fraser and Ke Huy Quan), usual suspects ( Cate Blanchett and Viola Davis) and those perhaps finally getting their Oscar due ( Michelle Yeoh and Colin Farrell). However, what we really adored this year – and would like to see get the proper awards love – are those knockout performances full of villainous verve, international bromantic flair and, yes, a certain old- school need for speed.
Hey, Academy Awards, please consider these epic acting showcases
Here are 10 performances from deserving folks we hope are remembered in this year’s Oscar race:
● A couple of antagonistic portrayals ruled, from “Pearl” to “The Batman.”
● “Top Gun: Maverick“soared, thanks to an A- lister with a lot left in the tank.
● The “RRR” guys made it cool to fight and dance.
N. T. Rama Rao Jr. (‘ RRR’)
Academy, is it possible to go halfsies on a best actor nod? Because this action- packed musical adventure’s two Indian mega- stars are what makes “RRR” such an audience- friendly powerhouse: Ram Charan’s British army soldier and Rao’s loyal warrior become friends, butt heads as foes and then come back together as a fighting force, with an all- time bromance and an amazing dance- off along the way. If we have to pick, though, the charismatic Rao has the edge for leading an army of wild animals and juggling a motorcycle with ease. – Brian Truitt
Tom Cruise (‘ Top Gun: Maverick’)
Cruise has twice been nominated for a best actor Oscar, for 1989’ s “Born on the Fourth of July” and 1996’ s “Jerry Maguire,” plus a supporting actor nomination for 1999’ s “Magnolia.” Nothing doing. Since then, he’s been in an Oscar- nomination desert while ascending to Hollywood icon status, largely on the back of his daring action- flick exploits. So why not reward the glee he’s generated for millions with a trophy for “Top Gun”? His performance as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell has yet to get any awards attention, despite thrilling a pandemic- weary world and arguably reopening movie theaters worldwide. Time for that Oscar medal?
– Marco della Cava
Paul Dano (‘ The Batman’)
It’s puzzling how Dano snagged a Screen Actors Guild nomination for “The Fabelmans” but not for his best effort in 2022, playing the Riddler in Matt Reeves’ revamp of the Dark Knight mythos. Under Saran Wrap, a freaky green mask and glasses, Dano cast an unsettling presence with his serial- killing spin on the Count of Conundrums. Most impressively, he’s even freakier when the costume comes off, as a traumatized figure with designs on being Gotham City’s true savior. – Truitt
Mia Goth (‘ Pearl’)
Oscar voters famously thumb their noses at horror, meaning they often overlook the go- for- broke brilliance of actors such as Goth, who creates a new camp icon in “Pearl.” A sort of deranged Dorothy from “Wizard of Oz,” Pearl will stop at nothing to leave her dismal farm home for the bright lights of stardom. Goth gloriously captures her crazed obsession and fragility, culminating in one of the most haunting ( and memeable) final shots in years.
– Patrick Ryan
Nina Hoss (‘ Tár’)
Blanchett gives a performance for the ages as Lydia Tár, an orchestra conductor in a downward spiral. But Hoss, in some ways, has the even trickier role as Lydia’s complicit wife Sharon, a gifted musician in her own right who stands by as Lydia abuses her power. The potency of Hoss’ performance lies in her watchful eyes and pursed lips, biting her tongue about Lydia’s misdeeds until the drama’s explosive climax. – Ryan
Zoe Kravitz (‘ Kimi’)
In Steven Soderbergh’s pandemic- era paranoia thriller, Kravitz’s agoraphobic Seattle tech employee works on a company’s Alexa- like at- home voice service, hears a recording she’s not supposed to and is soon running for her life. Masked up and leaving us more than a little breathless, the actress is the cool, blue- haired beating heart amid the Hitchcockian thrills, giving the audience a rousing heroine as well as an immersive exploration of mental- health issues. – Truitt
Lashana Lynch (‘ The Woman King’ and ‘ Matilda the Musical’)
The “Captain Marvel” breakout continues to prove she’s one of Hollywood’s most versatile stars. In movie musical “Matilda,” she exudes warmth as the gentle Miss Honey, and delivers powerhouse vocals on heart- rending ballad “My House.” And in historical epic “The Woman King,” it’s impossible to take your eyes off Lynch, who brings effortless charisma to resilient Dahomey warrior Izogie.– Ryan
Paul Mescal (‘ Aftersun’)
If there was any justice in the world, Mescal would be a best- actor lock for his wistful and aching work in “Aftersun,” portraying a young father named Calum who goes on vacation with his 11- year- old daughter ( a terrific Frankie Corio). Part of what makes Charlotte Wells’ film so devastating are the subtle ways that Mescal conveys Calum’s quiet suffering, putting on a playful face for his daughter even as he wrestles with personal demons. – Ryan
Keke Palmer (‘ Nope’)
It would seem as if the deft sci- fi thriller from Jordan Peele turns on the stoic performance of star Daniel Kaluuya. Nope. Keke Palmer arguably steals the show as Kaluuya’s talkative and fearless sister, Emerald Haywood. The actress, who first won our hearts as the young spelling champ in 2006’ s “Akeelah and the Bee,” keeps “Nope” on the boil from first frame to last as her infectious enthusiasm and unvarnished fear serves as a proxy for our own. – della Cava
Jeremy Pope (‘ The Inspection’)
One Golden Globe nomination doesn’t seem enough to honor the honest and heartfelt story Pope tells in the boot- camp drama. As a young gay man cast out by his homophobic mother and a Marine weathering toxic hostility from his fellow new recruits, Pope is a revelation who brings raw emotion, needed grit and a strong sense of hope to a timely tale of identity and brotherhood. – Truitt