Underrated movie performances of 2022
Even with the calendar switching over to 2023, January is the time for 2022 cinematic catchup.
Next week, I’ll highlight my favorite movies of 2022 (give me a little time to see a few more things). For this space, I’ve got my 10 favorite “underrated” performances from the last year. While you won’t see Oscar frontrunners like Colin Farrell and Cate Blanchett listed here (they’re obviously incredible in “The Banshees of Inishirin” and “Tar,” respectively), most of these names will be unfairly forgotten once Oscar nominations drop later this month.
Chloe East, “The Fabelmans”
Steven Spielberg’s autobiographical drama comes packed with memorable performances by Michelle Williams, Paul Dano and Judd Hirsch. The young stars, however, made a huge impression too, including lead Gabriel LaBelle as “Sammy,” and, in the third act, East as Monica, a Christian schoolmate and love interest of Sammy who takes a spirited interest in Sammy’s Jewish upbringing. She makes a strong, hilarious impression in about as much screentime as the heralded Hirsch cameo. In theaters and available on VOD.
Sean Harris, “The Stranger”
This tense Australian crime drama (based on a real case) works best exploring the friendship between two criminal colleagues (played by Harris and Joel Edgerton). But Edgerton’s character turns out to be an undercover cop investigating the Harris character’s heinous past. As more information is revealed, Harris’ performance as a quiet-but-amiable bloke becomes far more unnerving. Available on Netflix.
Dakota Johnson, “Cha Cha Real Smooth”
Following an excellent turn in 2021’s “The Lost Daughter,” Johnson gives her best performance to date as a mother to an autistic teenage daughter who finds herself in a complicated friendship with a much younger college grad (writer/director Cooper Raiff). The movie avoids the trap of making Johnson a two-dimensional object of affection, and yet her chemistry with Raiff anchors this thoughtful sorta-romance. Available on Apple TV+.
Lashana Lynch, “Matilda The Musical” and “The Woman King”
Two dynamic performances on opposite ends of the spectrum. In “Matilda,” Lynch plays the warm, supportive Miss Honey and crushes a couple of emotional musical numbers. In “The Woman King” she holds her own alongside Viola Davis as a fierce and deadly warrior in the action epic. “Matilda the Musical” is streaming on Netflix, and “The Woman King” is available on VOD.
Paul Mescal, “Aftersun”
Here’s a “small” performance likely to make it into the Best Actor category at the Oscars. Mescal plays a single dad taking his daughter on a resort vacation. He’s warm and present with her, but she occasionally catches glimpses of him suffering from… something. The movie packs a devastating punch in the final act, mostly because of how we come to realize the pain simmering under Mescal’s face. Available on VOD.
Pedro Pascal, “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent”
In a movie where Nicolas Cage plays a version of himself who imagines conversations with his younger, unhinged self, it’s impressive to see Pascal steal the movie with the biggest laughs. He plays a Cage superfan/maybe drug kingpin, and his love of “Face/Off” and “Guarding Tess” is infectious to say the least. Available on VOD.
Aubrey Plaza, “Emily the Criminal”
The “Parks and Recreation” alum can obviously do the sharp, deadpan humor with the best of them, but Plaza has quietly built a strong dramatic resume as well in films like “Ingrid Goes West” and on television like “Legion” and “The White Lotus.” Her best dramatic showcase yet is this small-but-compelling crime drama. Available on Netflix and VOD.
Jenna Ortega, “The Fallout”
People really seem to love Ortega and her dance moves on the Netflix series “Wednesday.” She had an equally impressive string of movie roles this year too, including key roles in “X” and the latest “Scream” entry. Her best performance though is in “The Fallout,” a drama that examines the psychological toll of going back to school after a deadly shooting. Ortega’s sensitive depiction grounds the difficult subject matter. Available on HBO Max.
Daniel Radcliffe, “Weird: The Al Yankovich Story”
Between this and “The Lost City,” Radcliffe demonstrated deft comic timing in film this year. He commits completely to playing a (hopefully heavily) fictionalized version of noted parodist Weird Al, who apparently filled his past with drug kingpin assassinations and accordion parties. Available on The Roku Channel.
Tang Wei, “Decision to Leave”
Park Chan-wook’s intricate and disarming mystery features Wei as both the prime suspect and romantic interest to a detective (Park Hae-il) investigating a suspicious death. Then, halfway through the movie, Wei’s character finds another way to inject herself into the detective’s life. The movie relies on Wei’s ability to both elude and entrance her pursuer. In theaters and available on Mubi.com.
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Tyler Wilson is a member of the International Press Academy and has been writing about movies for Inland Northwest publications since 2000, including a regular column in The Press since 2006. He can be reached at twilson@cdapress.com.