20 Best Movie Performances Of 2018

18. Bradley Cooper (A Star Is Born)

Bradley Cooper's inevitable Best Actor Oscar nomination for A Star Is Born will in fact be his fourth nomination for acting, though it's also the first that truly impresses on a visceral level and really feels deserving of an actual Academy Award.

Cooper's heartbreaking turn as alcoholic singer-songwriter Jackson Maine somehow feels fresh despite the story's familiarity, in large part due to Cooper's chemistry with co-stars Lady Gaga and Sam Elliott. And as the movie's director, Cooper also had full control of how his performance ultimately came together.

Never less than 100% convincing as a washed-up pop icon, Cooper finally proves beyond all doubt just how far he's come from being "the hot one in The Hangover movies". Bravo.