13 Incredible Performances By Otherwise Terrible Actors

6. Jessica Alba - The Killer Inside Me

For the most part, Jessica Alba's career has been slightly derailed by the material she's been saddled with, which she hasn't always been particularly happy with - especially when it's pushed her into "sex symbol" status. She's also been fairly vocal about her directors being to blame for some of her missteps, which is definitely not the way to get more and better work.

Still, she has had one flash of brilliance so far, which still holds promise that she could do good work given further opportunities. You know, as long as the directors are good enough.

That performance came in the excellent The Killer Inside Me, in which she plays a 1950s Texas prostitute opposite Casey Affleck's sheriff's deputy with a violent secret. Their relationship is dark and volatile - inevitably really, since both are turned on my pain and abuse - and watching her react to being beaten is stunningly affecting. She was so convincing, in fact, that the film attracted major criticism for its portrait of violence against women.

It's certainly not a subtle film, but Alba's performance is artful and hugely impressive, for a change.