20 Incredible Film Performances That Didn't Get The Credit They Deserved

Why these performances get overlooked, we'll never know.

By Scott Campbell /

All art is subjective, and arguably no medium divides opinion quite like cinema. In an industry where big box office is by no means a mark of greatness, one person's favourite movie is unlikely to be held in the same regard by everyone else. However, even when the quality of the final product is up for debate, a great acting performance is often indisputable. Every year, awards season rolls around to deliver a seemingly endless parade of back-slapping ceremonies that seem to be increasingly swayed by marketing budgets and studio politics. With that in mind, this article will take a look at 20 incredible acting performances from the 21st Century that were largely overlooked, and didn't quite get the credit they deserved. It is a list that includes movie stars playing against type, incredible character work and star-making breakthrough roles, covering everything from studio blockbusters to low budget and often little-seen independent movies. The common thread is that each one of these performances are brilliant in their own right. Do you agree that these performances didn't get the credit they deserved? Are there any others that you would have included? As always, sign off in the comments below.