Oscars 2021: Ranking The Nominated Performances From Worst To Best

After years of small bit parts in film and television, Paul Raci finally got his big break in Sound of Metal, the story of a heavy metal drummer who suddenly loses his hearing. Raci plays Joe, the deaf leader of a rehab facility who helps deaf addicts and other members of the community.

Raci is fantastic here and feels like a strong emotional core for the film as he tries to calmly help the chaotic and angry Ruben get to grips with his new predicament. One scene in particular is especially heart-breaking when Joe is faced with a betrayal and it is clear how deeply he cares about those in the community.

To a degree, Raci can feel like he is playing himself. He isn't deaf in real life but he is a child of deaf parents and does a lot of work within the community and strives to raise awareness and widen inclusion. What this means is that despite Raci's touching performance, it doesn't feel particularly out of his comfort zone.