10 Best Performances From 2024 Horror Movies

4. Lupita Nyong'o - A Quiet Place: Day One

Smile 2 Naomi Scott
Paramount

Though it's no surprise that Lupita Nyong'o gave it her all in A Quiet Place: Day One, it was surprising that Michael Sarnoski's film proved to be such an intimate and character-driven piece of work, enough that some were even left underwhelmed by how little it functioned as a true prequel to A Quiet Place.

Sarnoski was clearly far more interested in examining protagonist Sam in forensic detail - a terminally ill woman who simply wants to make it through one more day just as the alien creatures invade Earth.

Nyong'o gives one of her best performances - and that's really saying something - as an innately sympathetic character with a clear-eyed goal she wants to accomplish before her limited remaining time alive is over.

She brings enormous soul and gravitas to Sam's tragic journey, and plays wonderfully off co-star Joseph Quinn as fellow survivor Eric. In a film that many assumed wouldn't offer too much for its actors, Nyong'o gave a genuinely Oscar-worthy portrayal.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.