Chris Green – Jim Carrey
I’ll admit that when I first heard Jim Carrey had been cast as Dr. Robotnik, I was less than thrilled. Sure, Carrey is a phenomenal actor who has brought a number of cartoon characters to life including the Mask, the Grinch, and the Riddler. But for some reason, I was worried that Carrey wouldn’t be able to capture the evil scientist’s essence properly onscreen. I’m happy to say that I was completely wrong. Carrey managed to be one of, if not, the best parts of this movie. He perfectly captures the 1993 cartoon’s Robotnik while also making the role his own.
Honorable Mention: Jamie Foxx (Soul), Chadwick Boseman (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom)
Ethan Maddux – Tom Holland
“Got time for a sinner, preacher?” Tom Holland’s performance in The Devil All the Time showcased a side of him that I’ve never been exposed to. The way he seamlessly transitions from fear to anger, and then back again when faced with the depth of human depravity is marvelous. It’s no small feat that Holland is able to steal the show, even when sharing the screen with the likes of Rob Pattinson and Jason Clarke.
Honorable Mentions: Ewan McGregor (Birds of Prey), Elizabeth Moss (The Invisible Man)
Greg Mysogland – Delroy Lindo
2020 is, of course, a very odd year, without many noteworthy performances in film. But even if it had arrived at a time with fiercer competition, Delroy Lindo’s haunting work in Da 5 Bloods would almost certainly still stand out. Lindo plays Paul, a Vietnam veteran who has been traumatized and disillusioned by both his experiences in the war and the racism he experiences as an African American, and Lindo makes his pain and rage shockingly palpable. Paul’s difficult life has instilled in him values and political ideals that many, including myself, find misguided, even abhorrent, but it is impossible not to sympathize with him when you learn what he has been through. Lindo’s collaboration with director and co-writer Spike Lee makes Paul one of the most complex cinematic leads in years and his performance provides a striking presence every time he is on screen.
Honorable Mentions: Chadwick Boseman (Da 5 Bloods), Margot Robbie (Birds of Prey)
