Best of 2021: Top 20 Acting Performances

Each time I make my annual year's best lists, this one is always the most difficult to narrow down. And from where I stand, 2021 was a particularly strong year for acting performances. This year's thespians brought to life a plethora of intriguing characters with impressive skill. It's therefore my pleasure to salute this year's troubled and troublesome women, ambitious men and everyone in between. These are my Top 20 Acting Performances of 2021:
20. Andrew Garfield in Tick, Tick... Boom!A tour de force musical performance that resonates with heartrending truth. 
19. Amir Jadid in A HeroA deceptively wide-eyed portrayal disguising thought-provoking nuances.
18. Frances McDormand in The Tragedy of MacbethMcDormand is deliciously maniacal, leaving her mark on this iconic role .
17. Nicolas Cage in Pig Nicolas Cage like you've rarely seen him before, utterly vulnerable and tremendously moving.
16. Jodie Comer in The Last DuelThe pivotal heart and soul of one of the year's most compelling films.
15. Mercedes Hernández in Identifying FeaturesA searing performance, able to channel communal pain with a mere look.
14. Olivia Colman in The Lost DaughterPrickly, funny and thoroughly captivating.
13. Tessa Thompson in PassingThompson's exquisitely delicate performance showcases her masterly attention to detail. 
12. Anthony Ramos in In The HeightsAnthony Ramos announces himself as one to watch with this delightfully charismatic performance. 
11. Reed Birney in MassAn understated performance that nevertheless speaks volumes.
10. Emma Thompson in CruellaEmma Thompson is a callous delight in a film that doesn't deserve her.
9. Emma Stone in CruellaEmma Stone once again proves her "it factor" with this pitch-perfect interpretation. 
8. Renate Reinsve in The Worst Person in the WorldA remarkable breakout performance that leaps off the screen with its honesty and relatability. 
7. Will Smith in King RichardWill Smith reminds us of his talent with this transformative and passionate performance. 
6. Martha Plimpton in MassA pure expression of grief and heartache.
5. Anders Danielsen Lie in The Worst Person in the WorldAn endlessly disarming performance that cuts deep.
4. Jason Isaacs in MassAn anguished performance that's almost too painful to watch.
3. Jack Lowden in BenedictionJack Lowden is a revelation in this incredible performance. 
2. Clifton Collins Jr. in JockeyClifton Collins' world-weary naturalism fit this role like a glove.
1. Ann Dowd in MassAs always, Ann Dowd acts from the inside out, delivering yet another probing and nuanced performance that challenges the audience.