At the end of 2020, there were a few performances that were strong, though 2021 did blow 2020 out of the water. This year was filled with a plethora of wonderful performances. As audiences look back on the year, it was quite the fantastic year for movies. For our thoughts on the best films of 2021, check out our list here.

While there were many strong films, there were even more strong performances. An important note: this is not necessarily a ranked list, but simply a list of the strongest performances of 2021. It is so hard to compare the different types of acting that goes into the vastly different budgeted films. From foreign films to big blockbusters, the writing team at MXDWN Movies has compiled a list of the absolute best performances of 2021.

Françoise Lebrun- Vortex

“Françoise Lebrun had the difficult task of playing a woman with dementia, in a 142-minute movie, from a 20-page script. This means, she has very few lines of dialogue, and most of it is improvised. Sometimes she mumbles, she repeats herself… like a real person with dementia would. We all loved Anthony Hopkins in The Father, but Lebrun’s performance is pure, real, devoid of theatricality. There’s no sugarcoating, no Hollywood conventionalism here, just pure talent.” – Nacho Pajín

Adam Driver- The Last Duel/ House Of Gucci 

“Adam Driver gives a great performance as Jacques Le in The Last Duel. Adam Driver is getting better and better as actor as time moves along. Adam Driver has become well known for playing great villains. His role as Jacques Le provides a character you want to trust, but as the film goes along, you’re able to see that there are two faces to Adam Driver’s character. Its that extra emotion that Driver brings to the character that makes the film that much worth watching for a second time.” -Lawrence Flynn

“Driver had a tall order to fill when portraying Maurizio Gucci. He had to deliver a convincing performance while also remaining true to the real-life counterpart. He accomplished both of these feats with flying colors, which comes to no surprise from Adam Driver. His performance is convincing and his descent into greed and lust is believable and heartbreaking.” –Eric Johnson

Ariana DeBose- West Side Story

“Ariana DeBose had a lot to live up to, stepping into the shoes of both Rita Moreno and Broadway originator Chita Rivera; and she succeeds. A true triple threat, DeBose is a luminous screen presence who embodies every complexity of the character.” -Joshua Goodstein

“Ariana DeBose as Anita in West Side Story absolutely blew me away. Her voice is deep and soothing, and her dancing is mind blowing. She perfectly embodied Anita’s journey from being the proud girlfriend of the Sharks’ leader, mourning the death of Bernardo, dealing with Maria’s deep love for Tony, and almost getting raped by the Jets. DeBose’s performance brought tears to my eyes multiple times with the way she balanced her immense pain with a calm face. She was amazing!” –Nicole Dwyer

Tom Holland- Spider-Man: No Way Home

Bradley Cooper- Nightmare Alley

Agathe Rousselle- Titane

“To become a really great actor, you must allow yourself to sink deeply into that person you are playing and Agathe Rousselle is transformative in the erotic and deeply moving French horror film, Titane. It’s a brave role to tackle and with imagery that will certainly be unsettling for some viewers, one will find it impossible to look away from Rousselle. A huge credit has to go to writer and director Julia Ducournau, who envisioned this character and led Rousselle to become this damaged woman who only wanted to find acceptance in this world. Titane is a deeply emotional ride and thanks to an original script by Ducournau and a perfect performance by Rousselle, Titane is simply unforgettable.” –Rick Rice

Lady Gaga- House of Gucci

“In her second leading role, Lady Gaga proves she is a tremendous screen presence. Her performance as Patrizia Reggiani recalls the classic femme fatale roles of Lauren Bacall, Barbara Stanwyck, and Ava Gardner. Her relentlessly intense performance injects life into what is otherwise an overlong, lethargic film.” –Joshua Goodstein

Alana Haim– Licorice Pizza

“Alana Haim in Licorice Pizza blew me away. She knocked her first big acting job out of the park! Haim perfectly portrayed the evolution of both her character’s feelings and who she was. There always seemed to be something under the surface—a feeling, a thought, an action—the character was keeping to herself at all times. I loved how Alana Haim knew the relationship with Gary was taboo, but she acted as if all the time they spent together or words they shared were not suggestive and risky. Alana Haim became this character, and she was marvelous!” –Nicole Dwyer

Cooper Hoffman- Licorice Pizza

“Cooper Hoffman has inherited many of his father’s wonderful acting quirks. From the hands-on-hips stance to his commanding and salesman-like convictions, this debut performance is one for the ages. His maturity personifies every 15 year-olds desire to outgrow themselves, transcending the limits of adolescence through nothing but confidence. His presence brings so much humanity to a genre that typically is so sanitized by conventional Hollywood standards.” –Max Mulderrig

Andra Day- The United States vs. Billie Holiday

“Andra Day as Billie Holiday in The United States vs. Billie Holiday was incredible. It was like watching a star shine so bright in the sky. The performance was breathtaking and awe-inspiring. There was any actress that could have done a better job as Billie Holiday, Andra Day was essentially Billie Holiday reincarnated.” –Cassandra Reichelt

Kristen Stewart- Spencer

“Kristen Stewart harnessed the artful craft of subdued acting. Her performance was enchanting to watch as she magically brought Diana Spencer to life.” –Lauren Vander Tuig

“Spencer is not getting the love it deserves and the greatest part of the film is Stewart as Princess Diana. While the film is mostly about wealthy straight white people, Stewart brings an undeniable element of modern identity, uncomfortability, and queerness. It’s a performance that somehow outlasts the story. Unique and utterly human.” –Tyler Justin Pruyn