10 More Actors Who Gave Their Best Performances In Movies Nobody Saw

Michael Shannon is undeniably one of the greatest actors working today, having received high acclaim for his performances in Bug, Shotgun Stories, Mud, 99 Homes, Midnight Special, and The Shape of Water, while earning Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominations for Revolutionary Road and Nocturnal Animals.

Yet Shannon's finest work to date was in a film that many expected him to receive a Best Actor Oscar nomination for - Jeff Nichols' dizzying psychological thriller Take Shelter.

Shannon stars as Curtis LaForche, a man who begins experiencing apocalyptic visions and must decide whether to protect his family from the apparently incoming destruction or from himself.

It's always deeply satisfying to see a card-carrying supporting actor get their own hefty leading role, and Shannon grabs the part with both hands, delivering an astonishing performance that's alternately sympathetic and terrifying.

There's a deep vein of aching humanity running through Shannon's work here, and that his performance somehow didn't receive Oscar recognition over some of the lesser turns in contention that year - no disrespect to Jean Dujardin (The Artist) or Demián Bichir (A Better Life) - remains an utter travesty.

Worst of all, the film has largely faded into obscurity since its 2011 release, after just barely outgrossing its $4.75 million budget at the box office.