20 Best Movie Performances Of 2019
13. Lupita Nyong'o - Us
Though Jordan Peele's Us didn't quite strike as fiercely as his prior horror-satire Get Out, lead Lupita Nyong'o nevertheless received unanimous praise for her fearless dual performance as protagonist Adelaide and her doppelganger Red.
The Academy is notoriously prejudiced against horror films where acting nominations are concerned - see Toni Collette's brutal snub for Hereditary last year - but regardless of awards, Nyong'o's sharply-calibrated work is a shocking picture of trauma and desperation.
As Adelaide, she's a remarkable protector, and as Red, she's among the most nightmarish visions of any mainstream horror film in recent memory.
Her passionate cheerleaders could carry the performance all the way to a Best Actress nod, but it's certainly not a sure thing.