Lupita Nyong'o is one of today's most acclaimed actresses, who's performed in some of the most moving (and successful) films in recent memory. With her new project - the Jordan Peele-directed horror "Us" being released - I decided to look at my top five favorite Lupita Nyong'o films.
**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**
#5
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
"The Force Awakens" was the long, long, long-awaited continuation of the "Star Wars" franchise, and went on to become the highest grossing movie in America (not counting inflation). If you're looking to see Lupita Nyong'o, however, you won't find her - because she mo-capped the alien character Maz Kanata, a former pirate and smuggler who manages a tavern and holds a key to Rey's future. While she's not a main character, Nyong'o's Maz is integral in furthering the story of Rey.
#4
The Jungle Book
Once again, Lupita Nyong'o uses her voice to tell a story, this time in the live-action re-telling of the Disney classic "The Jungle Book." Here she plays Raksha, a female Indian wolf who acts as Mowgli's adoptive mother. Director Jon Favreau chose Nyong'o because she "has tremendous depth of emotion in her performance. There's an emotional
underpinning she brings, and a strength, and we wanted that for this
surrogate mother. Much of that comes from her voice," and it truly shows in her moving, powerful performance.
#3
Queen of Katwe
Based on the true story of a young girl from the small town of Katwe, Uganda, "Queen of Katwe" tells the story of Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga) who learns to play chess and goes on to play against the best of the best at the World Chess Olympiads. Lupita Nyong'o plays Phiona's mother, and serves as the maternal support for her child, giving a passioned, thoughtful performance.
#2
Black Panther
Marvel's biggest hit to date (and also the third highest-grossing movie of all time), "Black Panther" tells the story of King T'Challa, who becomes the Black Panther leader of the technologically-advanced hidden African nation of Wakanda and who must also protect it from his warmongering cousin Killmonger. Lupita Nyong'o plays Nakia, who serves as more than T'Challa's girlfriend but also shows a fierce determination all her own, and here she gets to really show off her action prowess and delivers a strong, powerful performance.
#1
12 Years a Slave
The film that made Lupita Nyong'o a household name (and also earned her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress), "12 Years a Slave" is the true story of Solomon Northup, a free black man in the North who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. Nyong'o plays fellow slave Patsey who endures harsh, brutal beatings and rapes from her owner. Nyong'o truly deserved recognition for her performance, as she gives easily one of the best performances of her career here.
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