Worst2First: My Top Ten Performances of 2022

Worst2First:
My Top Ten Performances of 2022

Every year there's those certain performances that transcend the screen and etches itself into your very soul, roles that are unforgettable and memorable in the most positive way imaginable. These are my top ten performances of 2022.

**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**

#10

Daniel Radcliffe
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

Musical biopics are my least favorite subgenre because essentially all they are is Wikipedia-researched facts told methodically to the beat of their most well-known songs, completely devoid of anything memorable or even entertaining. Then there's Weird Al, who's own biopic was nothing short of amazing, due to the fact that it wasn't really a biopic at all, but rather a mockery of the biopic subgenre. Daniel Radcliffe plays the accordion parody star with a seriousness that's hilarious set against the outlandish events going on around him (such as getting busted for attending an "accordion party," or rescuing his forever love Madonna from the likes of Pablo Escobar), and it seems that Radcliffe was tailor-made for the role. Forget Harry Potter, Radcliffe will always be Weird Al from now on.

#9

Brendan Gleeson
The Banshees of Inisherin

Acclaimed actor Brendan Gleeson reunites with director Martin McDonagh and co-star Colin Farrell after 2008's "In Bruges" to co-star in "The Banshees of Inisherin," a dark comedy centering on the loss of friendship and the worries of being forgotten. Gleeson plays Colm, an aspiring musician who one day decides to stop being best friends with Farrell's Padraic, claiming he wants to spend the rest of his days working toward doing something that he will be remembered for, yet underneath that desire is a deeper sadness that Gleeson exudes as he struggles with aging, and giving into his darker nature. Against a stacked cast, Gleeson shines as always.

#8

Mia Goth
Pearl

Mia Goth had a stellar 2022, starring in Ti West's 1970's set horror slasher film "X" playing both the heroine Maxine as well as the villainous Pearl, but her true performance came later that year in the surprise prequel "Pearl" that served as a deep character study into what makes the woman tick. More a deep dive character-driven drama than full on horror, "Pearl" is an unforgettable film shot in classic Technicolor that gives Goth the room to breathe and give us a newfound appreciation for Pearl, as well as leaving us completely unnerved by an unforgettable monologue and spellbinding final scene that's etched in our memories.

#7

Paul Mescal
Aftersun

Paul Mescal plays young single father Calum in Charlotte Wells' debut film "Aftersun," a story about memories, family, and the subtle destructive nature of mental illness. Calum takes his eleven-year-old daughter on a vacation to Turkey before she goes back to her mother, and he desires to give her the time of her life - even though throughout the film he's haunted by his own fears, insecurities, doubts, and concerns that he tries to keep bottled up but bubbles to the surface time and again. Generally films are prone to showcase these mental illnesses front and center, but Wells keeps it in the foreground until the shocking end that is so subtle you won't notice it until it's over, and you're left shellsocked by the conclusion as well as Mescal's awards-worthy performance.

#6

Austin Butler
Elvis

As I said earlier, I'm not a big fan of the musical biopic subgenre, but Baz Luhrmann infuses his own electrifying signature to tell the story of the King of Rock, Elvis Presley. Disregarding the traditional Wikipedia tropes, Elvis is seen as a fully flushed out person told through the eyes of his nefarious manager Colonel Tom Parker, and Austin Butler completely looses himself in the role - so much so that he studied the King's every move and mannerism, adopting them as his own even after filming stopped. His commitment to the role has already garnered him several awards nominations, and undoubtedly Oscar will be knocking on his doorstep soon.

#5

Michelle Williams
The Fabelmans

Starring as a fictionalized version of director Steven Spielberg's mother, Michelle Williams shines as the dreamy, artistic Mitzi Fabelman who encourages her young son Sammy into becoming a film director and pursuing his passions much like she has, unlike her stiff husband who worries more about finances than flights of fancy. Williams not only rules the screen as the energetic mother, but also delivers compelling moments of heavy dramatic action when needed, showing why she is one of Hollywood's best leading ladies and a shoe-in for an Oscar nomination.

#4

Colin Farrell
The Banshees of Inisherin

The benefit of working with people you trust is the ability to really let loose and let your character thrive, and that's exactly what Colin Farrell did in "The Banshees of Inisherin," where he's reunited with his "In Bruges" co-star Brendan Gleeson and director Martin McDonagh. Farrell plays Padriac, the aloof - if not slightly dim-witted - former best friend to Gleeson's dower Colm, who doesn't understand why all of a sudden Colm wants nothing to do with him. Farrell's charm is infectious and it's fascinating to see him delve into a meatier role where he has to face the harsh facts of the world - sometimes things happen for no reason - and whether or not he'll allow it to tarnish his own nice-guy persona.

#3

Cate Blanchett
Tar

Cate Blanchett is one of the most versatile, committed actresses in the modern era, and there's nothing she can do wrong. "Tar" is one of her crowning achievements, single-handedly commanding the screen in a way that only a true maestro is capable of. She plays Lydia Tar, the most accomplished conductor who's perfect life is slowly unraveled by her own hubris, and watching her deteriorate is nothing short of awe-inspiring. From the opening monologue listing her accomplishments to the shocking takedown of an entitled music student and everything in-between, Blanchett totally commands the screen and leads you along like the expert conductor she plays, culminating in the crescendo denouement that'll leave you floored.

#2

Michelle Yeoh
Everything Everywhere All at Once

The best performance by an actress in this universe or any multiverse in 2022 goes to Michelle Yeoh's electrifying performance as Evelyn Wang and all her iterations in the Daniels' film "Everything Everywhere All at Once." Living up to its name, the film transcends genres and timelines, moving from intense martial arts action to slapstick comedy to dimension-hopping horror and tear-jerking family melodrama without missing a beat, and at the center is Yeoh's tremendous performance (interesting fact: the role was originally meant for Jackie Chan, which would've been a completely different movie). A front-runner for Best Actress, here's hoping Yeoh will receive the credit she's way overdue to receive.

#1

Brendan Fraser
The Whale

Speaking of long-overdue recognition, Brendan Fraser deserves all the accolades he's receiving for his transformative role in Darren Arnonofsky's "The Whale." Playing Charlie, an obese teacher who's stuck in his dingy apartment where he's slowly eating himself to death, Fraser channels all his real-life trauma into the role and you can see it in his performance, especially his longing eyes that still shows glints of hope as he is continually belittled by his estranged daughter even though he only sees the good in her - not to mention the good in everyone around him. Much has been said about the quality of the film (personally I don't get it, I think it's one of the best films I've seen this year), but there's no denying that Brendan Fraser's long-awaited return to the big screen is unforgettable and powerfully performed.