20 Essential Movie Performances That Will Define 2017

19. Katherine Waterston - Daniels (Alien: Covenant)

Alien Covenant Katherine Waterston
Fox

The Role: A terraforming expert on-board the Covenant, and wife of the ship's initial Captain Jacob Branson (James Franco). Naturally, something happens to Branson, and soon enough she and the other remaining crew members find themselves facing off against a fleet of otherworldly creatures.

Why It'll Define 2017: Whether Waterston wants to admit it or not, she's basically being positioned as "the new Ripley" here, and the comparisons are unavoidable.

While few are expecting her to give a performance as iconic as Sigourney Weaver's (though that's no reflection on her acting chops), as the likely sole survivor of the new Xenomorph's rampage she'll hopefully present moviegoers with another strong, resourceful heroine, which there frankly can't be enough of in the action arena.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.