Best of 2019: Top 20 Acting Performances

During the days of classic Hollywood and the peak of the studio system, great acting was often showcased through star vehicles - films crafted around the persona of a single movie star to enhance or build on their popularity. As movie stars have become less of a draw for audiences, ensemble casts have become even more popular, bringing together multiple fan faves. While compiling this list of the Top 20 Performances of 2019, I also found myself drawn to the ensembles, particularly the pairings within them. Indeed, that almost magical alchemy between actors who "click" delivered some of my favorite movie moments of the year. And in the final rundown, this left only 13 films represented in the list below. Here they are:
20. Tommy Lee Jones in Ad AstraAs gruff as it is vulnerable, Tommy Lee Jones nails this depiction of stubborn masculinity.
19. Taika Waititi in Jojo RabbitThe year's gutsiest performance skewers history with gleeful irreverence.
18. Natalie Portman in Lucy in the SkyGo big or go home, or go out of this world like this bold Natalie Portman performance
17. Robert Pattinson in The LighthouseA manic character performed with utmost skill.
16. Scarlett Johansson in Marriage StoryStunning in its vulnerability, this role is a career peak for Scarlett Johansson.
15. Awkwafina in The FarewellAwkwafina is a revelation in this raw, honest portrayal.
14. Brad Pitt, Ad AstraUtterly heartfelt and soulful, Brad Pitt's face provided the year's most impactful cinematic imagery.
13. Joaquin Phoenix in JokerAt once grotesque and beguiling, Phoenix delivers a fascinating interpretation of an iconic character.
12. Carice van Houten in InstinctFor better or worse, a singularly provocative performance.
11. Willem Dafoe in The LighthouseWillem Dafoe evokes Shakespearean eloquence with his acting masterclass.
10. Roman Griffin Davis in Jojo RabbitThis extraordinary child performance was an endless delight to watch.
9. Jonathan Majors in The Last Black Man in San FranciscoA performance that surprises with a distinctive persona and striking authenticity.
8. Jimmie Fails in The Last Black Man in San FranciscoFails poignantly embodies his film's themes with deeply felt melancholy.
7. Kaitlyn Dever in BooksmartOne half of 2019's most dynamic duo.
6. Beanie Feldstein in BooksmartOne half of 2019's most dynamic duo.
5. Chris Hemsworth in Avengers: EndgameSelf-deprecating in the best way, a pitch-perfect performance.
4. Florence Pugh in Fighting with my FamilyA knockout performance of utmost tenacity.
3. Adam Driver in Marriage StoryThis emotional tour de force is absolutely breathtaking.
2. Kelvin Harrison Jr. in WavesKelvin Harrison Jr. blew me away with this powerful and unforgettable performance of reckless youth.
1. Sterling K. Brown in WavesAn astonishingly precise depiction of black fatherhood, commanding respect and fear with little more than a glance.