10 Worst Performances In 2017 Movies (So Far)

Some would argue that the perfect film cannot - and does not - exist.

Whether you agree or disagree with that notion is your call, but it's easy to understand what it's getting at. Films are produced by thousands and thousands of people and there are so many different factors at play that the chances of every tiny detail being perfect are slim.

Some of these details - shoddy practical effects, visible wires, a boom mic sneaking into frame - can be fixed in post, but others - like bad acting - are a lot more difficult to mask.

2017 has already had its fair share of movies with this same problem; Adam Sandler's latest launched in April so we knew we'd have at least one solid candidate, and on the whole, this year's acting really hasn't been anything to shout home about.

Hits like Logan and Get Out did temporarily buck that trend, but those aside, the last six months have failed to deliver us a truly outstanding, widely-acclaimed performance.

There have been plenty of stinkers, though. And aren't they infinitely more entertaining to discuss?

The worst thing a movie could do to Tom Hiddleston is force him to diminish his playful sense of glee, but not only does Kong: Skull Island manage to pull that off, it also makes a usually enjoyable performer come across as unbelievably bland and boring.

While co-stars John C. Reilly and Samuel L. Jackson understood that the movie around them was conceptually ridiculous and should not be taken too seriously (and so kept their performances loud, light, and not too po-faced) Hiddleston frustratingly plays it straight, and it just doesn't work.

You'd think that he would know his strengths and weaknesses by now - his immense success as Loki is a clear indication that he thrives when delivering lighter, more theatrical performances, and it's also a clear indication that this is how audiences want to see him act.

Not that artists shouldn't try new things (and The Night Manager did show he can pull off a straighter role), but this 'action star' shtick just isn't Hiddleston's bag. He's too weedy and unimposing to pull off a tough-guy soldier and he's got a permanent frown plastered on his face in a movie where the audience just wants to be smiling, laughing, and stuffing popcorn in their faces throughout.

He drags the movie down whenever he's onscreen and you'll be desperate to return to the monster action after a few brief seconds.