It’s no secret that the film industry has been facing many colossal shifts within the first half of2023. PerCNN, the strikes by the WGA and SAG affect the production timeline of upcoming releases. Moreover, they call attention to the ongoing issues of artificial intelligence within an industry that should be celebrating artistic achievement, not the predetermined decision of a corporate body (viaNPR). The concept that streaming services and studios would think to replace actual filmmakers with a system they can monitor and control directly says a lot about the state of mainstream American filmmaking.
It’s also no big secret that the box office has been struggling. While Paramount Pictures’The Super Mario Brothers Moviebecame one of the rare films released since the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic to gross over $1 billion at the worldwide box office, there have been quite a few high profile flops. It’s not that sequels and franchises are dying; it’s just that audiences may finally be sick of seeing sequels and spinoffs that don’t meet the quality standards that they’ve come to expect.
It’s not that surprising that films likeFast X, The Flash, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, The Little Mermaid,andShazam! Fury of the Godsall underperformed, as they all received mixed to negative responses, based on the consensus of critics onRotten Tomatoes. Comparatively, well-reviewed sequels likeGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, John Wick: Chapter 4, Creed III,andSpider-Man: Across The Spider-Versehave been more successful. It’s also been an exciting period of time for original films in the specialty box office market, as films likeAsteroid CityandPast Liveshave been performing wellbased on their per-screen earnings.
Both films could be brought back during the end of the year as award season favorites, and perhaps earn some accolades for their talented ensemble casts. It’s too early in the year to make any official predictions, as a majority of the major award season contenders will emerge at the fall film festivals in Venice, Telluride, Toronto, and New York. However, they aren’t the only films deserving to be remembered for the incredible acting that they featured. Here are the most underrated performances from 2023 so far.
16Teyana Taylor — A Thousand and One
A Thousand and Oneis one of the most realistic films in recent memory about the realities of parenting and the struggles of single parents.Teyana Taylor’s performanceas the free-spirited New York woman, who instinctively decides to adopt an abandoned child, is a heartbreaking expression of good nature. Taylor is charming and hilarious in the way that all the best “movie moms” are.
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15Hong Chau — Showing Up
While there’s a bitterness that many filmgoers find inKelly Reichardt’s films, the beloved American filmmaker has an incredible grasp on the purity of friendship and the earnestness of new relationships. While both Michelle Williams andHong Chau’s performances as misunderstood artists who become neighbors and friends are equally charming, the warm sensitivity that Chau brings to the screen makes her the standout ofShowing Up.
14Kelvin Harrison Jr. — Chevalier
Chevaliershines a light on an underrepresented figure from musical history. The amazing true story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges has sadly been buried beneath years of racism within the artistic field, butIt Comes At Nightbreakout starKelvin Harrison Jr.does a great job at bringing his story to life in an emotional way.
13Sabrina Wu — Joy Ride
Some filmgoers in 2023 went out to see Jennifer Lawrence’s performance inNo Hard Feelingswhen they were looking for a return toraunchy, R-rated comedies.However, it’s actually the South by Southwest breakout filmJoy Ridethat has become the year’s funniest film. While the performances from all four of the young leads are equally extraordinary and hilarious, it’sSabrina Wu’s turn as the socially awkward teenager nicknamed “Deadeye” that serves as the film’s scene stealer.
12Paul Mescal — Carmen
Paul Mescalis one young actor who is on his way to becoming a major star. Despite his relative youth, Mescal shockingly earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor last year for his performance in the independent film sensationAftersun, and he’s currently working on the highly anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott’s Best Picture winnerGladiator. Mescal is equally sensational in this year’s offbeat arthouse musicalCarmen, which shows the furthest extents of his abilities as a physical and emotional performer.
11Dar Salim — The Covenant
Guy Ritchie is known for making quippy, foul-mouthed action films, so it was slightly unusual to see him test his abilities by taking a more serious approach to his war filmThe Covenant, which explores the vastly unreported issue of Afghan translators that were abandoned by the American military in their home country and hunted down by the Taliban. Jake Gyllenhaal never fails to give a committed performance, and he’s brilliant as an American soldier whose life is turned around by his friendship with a translator (Dar Salim) that saves his life; however, the story is rightfully Salim’s, and his performance is completely worthy of an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
10Rachel McAdams — Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret
An adaptation of Judy Blume’s classic novelAre You There God, It’s Me Margaret?has long been in the works, and it came with a heavy amount of anticipation. As film fans saw this year with the documentaryJudy Blume Forever, this is a story and message that has been passed down between mothers and daughters for generations, and it would take a sensitive approach for a film adaptation to feel like it lived up to this legacy. Nonetheless,Rachel McAdams’ performance as an awkward, struggling mother who is just as confused, afraid, and excitable as her daughter is one of the year’s most charming.
9Chris Pine — Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
On paper, the idea of another movie based on theDungeons & Dragonsrole playing games seemed like a terrible idea, especially when there were more mature fantasy stories being told on television shows likeHouse of the Dragon, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,andThe Witcher.However,Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thievesfeels like a throwback to classic swashbuckling adventure films likeThe Princess Bride, Willow,andHighlander, and brilliantly mixes in a good deal of comedy.
While it’s nice to see more mature performances fromChris Pinein films likeHell or High WaterandAll The Old Knives, his performance as the rogue hero Edgin Darvis inDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thievesserves as a reminder of why audiences feel in love with him as Captain James T. Kirk back in 2009 when he took over the role from William Shatner inStar Trek.
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8Jude Law — Peter Pan & Wendy
One of the more unfortunate decisions made by Walt Disney Studios this year was the decision to send David Lowery’s beautiful, exciting fantasy adventure filmPeter Pan & Wendydirectly to Disney+ instead of debuting it in theaters; while not quite as gorgeous as his previous filmsThe Green KnightandA Ghost Story,Peter Pan & Wendyis no less worthy of being seen on the big screen.
Of all the film’s wondrous performances,Jude Law’s fun new take on the iconic pirate Captain Book adds a surprising emotional depth to a role that’s often treated as a complete joke. Considering that the role belongs to Dustin Hoffman in Steven Spielberg’sHookin the minds of many viewers (and some may not forget Garret Hedlund’s disastrous role in the 2015 prequel filmPan), it’s impressive that Law was able to add new layers to the character.
7Tessa Thompson — Creed III
Creed IIIwas a surprisingly excellent sequel that forced Michael B. Jordan’s Adonis Creed to finally begin taking himself seriously as not only a boxer, but a husband and father. It’s impressive that in a film that features so many exciting boxing scenes inspired by anime, the most engaging moments are the conversations between Adonis and his wife Bianca (Tessa Thompson). Thompson has an unparalleled ability to elevate the material of whatever project she is in.
