Oscars 2021: Ranking The Nominated Performances From Worst To Best
8. LaKeith Stanfield - Judas And The Black Messiah
Regardless of the admittedly bewildering category fraud accusations (which have nothing to do with Stanfield or his performance), LaKeith Stanfield is absolutely phenomenal as Bill O'Neal, the FBI informant that infiltrated Fred Hampton's chapter of the Black Panther party.
The film splits equal time between O'Neal and Hampton and when we're with O'Neal, it is a fascinating experience. To get a chance to look inside the mind of a man so corrupted and warped yet so painfully human is portrayed incredibly well and Stanfield does an amazing job.
O'Neal has several layers to unravel and Stanfield has a hold on each and every one. It is impressive to play someone so dislikeable as this and still find them compelling. Stanfield failed to pick up nominations at any other major awards show and that is likely due to the fact he was campaigned in lead which was already oversaturated. Despite that, he deserves to be here and provides one of the best performances of the year.