I had planned to do various end-of-year lists before I post my Top 10 Movies of the Year, but I just haven’t gotten around to it. But the one list that’s been pressing on my mind all through award season is regarding my favorite performances that aren’t getting enough love from pundits and voters alike.

Now, not all of these names deserve an Oscar nomination, though a few do (i.e. Viola Davis, Kathryn Hunter, among others), but everyone on this list delivered an outstanding performance that left a big impression on me. Of course, this isn’t meant to be a comprehensive list (as is any lists any site makes that are subjective) so this is supposed to be a top 20 list based on my own personal viewing of 250+ movies watched in 2023 and the first week of January.

So without further ado, here they are in alphabetical order (of actor’s last name):

Danielle Brooks – The Color Purple

One of the highlights of this musical is definitely Miss Brooks’ feisty, funny but also heartbreaking performance. She really stole the scenes even from the flashier supporting turn from the always-phenomenal Taraji P. Henson. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that Brooks so embodied her role of Sofia as she also portrays the character in the 2015 Broadway musical revival where she was nominated for a Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

Viola Davis – AIR

Speaking of feisty, well that’s an adjective that’s often associated with the venerable Miss Davis. I’m aghast that her memorable performance in AIR, one of this year’s best, was overlooked by the Golden Globes this year. As Michael Jordan’s mother Deloris, Davis is the soul of the movie with her quiet grace and dignity. It’s no wonder that Jordan himself requested that the two-time Oscar winner (and an EGOT winner) play his mother, as Ben Affleck revealed in interviews. Who knew Jordan had a knack for casting!

Phoebe Dynevor – Fair Play

I think Fair Play is one of the strongest Netflix original movies in the past decade. It’s a bummer that Chloe Domont’s tense psychological thriller gets lost in the shuffle during award season, including Dynevor’s strong lead performance. Set in a world of high finance, Dynevor is convincing as a business analyst at a Manhattan hedge fund company that has to navigate office politics and delicate male fragility. She proves herself a versatile actress who’s definitely more than a pretty face.

Taron Egerton – TETRIS

I really enjoyed this movie which feels like a blast from the past for me given the subject matter. I’ve been a longtime fan of the charismatic Welsh actor and Egerton is fun to watch as the Dutch-born (part Indonesian) founder of a software company who stumbled upon Tetris at a Consumer Electronics Show in the late 80s. I’m glad he continues to gain more prominent roles since his breakout performance in Matthew Vaughn’s Kingsman movies.

Abby Ryder Fortson – Are you there God? It’s Me, Margaret

I know that many people think the world of this film, but there are plenty of issues I have with how the film depicts faith and kids growing up in an interfaith household. But one thing I have no qualms about is the performances, especially Fortson’s performance as the title character. She’s so adorable and funny, while also able to balance the dramatic aspect the role requires. I love the dynamic between Margaret and her mom (a terrific Rachel McAdams) and the mother-daughter relationship is really heartwarming to watch.

Jamie Foxx – The Burial

I saw this based-on-a-true-story movie recently and found it quite enjoyable and moving. I love the pairing of Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones (also on this list!) playing such contrasting characters. Foxx is a hoot to watch as an unapologetically flamboyant super-lawyer Willie Gary and it’s great to see him belt out some Gospel tunes, too! His performance is inherently loud, funny, and bombastic yet it never comes across as cartoonish, and Gary’s transformation the more he gets to know his client feels genuine.

Kelvin Harrison Jr – Chevalier

I’m always in awe of actors who are so committed to their roles that they learn another craft, such as playing a musical instrument. I read that Harrison practiced learning the violin extensively for five months to prepare for this role, and it shows! I’ve been a fan of Harrison’s work since Waves, The High Note, and Cyrano, and he’s definitely got the sensual swagger as well as sensitivity to portray this underrated historical figure. Plus he looks quite stunning in 18th-century clothes.

Eve Hewson – Flora and Son

This is only the second role I’ve seen Hewson in, the first one is the exceptionally twisty psychological thriller Behind Her Eyes. Well, she couldn’t be more different in John Carney’s musical dramedy as a potty-mouthed mother learning guitar from the charismatic Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Hewson is captivating to watch, she’s got wit, spunk, and heart that makes you effortlessly root for her despite her flaws.

Kathryn Hunter – Poor Things

I have finally just seen this film so it’s still fresh in my mind. I’m sad that Kathryn Hunter’s name hasn’t been mentioned much during award season, as she was also overlooked in The Tragedy of Macbeth a few years ago. Her screen time is relatively short as the tattooed, wisdom-spewing madame at the French brothel who hires Bella, but it’s impossible to forget her performance here.

Tommy Lee Jones – The Burial

Every year there’s always a memorable duo on screen that people talk about, well, for some reason they don’t talk about the Foxx/Jones combo enough. Jones’ Jeremiah O’Keefe can’t be more different from the flashy Willie Gary and his posse, but they make for an entertaining duo in this David-versus-Goliath story. It’s pretty unusual to see Jones portray such a quiet, mild-mannered guy but there’s a quiet dignity that’s wonderful to watch. Shout out to Mamoudou Athie as O’Keefe’s young attorney Hal Dockins who’s excellent here as well.

Hayley Atwell – Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning – Part I

Ok so not every performance has to aim for Oscar glory but it doesn’t mean it’s not worth applauding. Atwell is already my favorite female character in the MCU (long live Peggy Carter!) so I was thrilled to see her cast as Grace in the latest Mission Impossible. Charismatic and lively, she’s truly one of the highlights of the movie for me, Tom Cruise sure knows how to pick ’em! Now, while I still can’t forgive him for killing off Elsa Faust (I’ll miss the terrific Rebecca Ferguson in this franchise), I look forward to more Grace in Part II.

Daryl McCormack – The Lesson

I’ve been singing praises for McCormack ever since I saw him in Good Luck To You, Rio Grande. and I hope everyone else will catch up. When people stop swooning over Regé-Jean Page long enough, perhaps they’ll notice this oh-so-fiiiine Irish actor with stunning eyes, beautiful Irish lilt, plus formidable acting chops to boot. He’s able to hold his own against veteran actors Emma Thompson in Rio Grande and Richard E. Grant here, which is not surprising given his strong screen presence. I really want to see him in the new BBC series The Woman in the Wall and I hope he’ll continue to get more prominent movie roles in the future.

Tobias Menzies – You Hurt My Feelings

Is there anything this RADA-trained London-bred can’t do?! He’s always convincing in whatever role, from a vicious villain in Outlander, Prince Philip in The Crown, or a Manhattan-based therapist whose marriage to Julia Louis-Dreyfus‘ character is unraveling. It’s quite nice to see him sport an American accent (for the first time apparently) and portray a regular guy, I’d love to see him in more comedic roles like this one.

Vivian Oparah – Rye Lane

If anyone is still complaining that there’s no good rom-com out there anymore, well then they ought to watch Raine Allen-Miller‘s funny and entertaining movie. Love Oparah as Yas in this slice of life of two young strangers connecting when both are reeling from bad breakups. Oparah’s vibrant energy matches the colorful wardrobe she sports here and her chemistry with David Jonsson is sweet and dynamic. I can’t recommend this one enough!

Kelly Reilly – A Haunting In Venice

Kenneth Branagh has put together a phenomenal ensemble cast for his third Agatha Christie adaptation so it’s quite tough to single out just one, but while Michelle Yeoh is brilliant, her scene is pretty short in the movie. Reilly’s role is just as prominent as Branagh’s as a distraught mother mourning for her dead daughter. Reilly is quite slinky and unpredictable as opera singer Rowena Drake, the scene where she gives a tour around her haunted palazzo is deliciously spooky.

Saoirse Ronan – FOE

I know the movie has finally been widely released this past week, but I saw this back in October at Twin Cities Film Fest, so it counts as a 2023 film. Ronan is always convincing in every role she plays, and this is perhaps the most mature role I’ve seen her, which is delightful to see. She and fellow Irish actor Paul Mescal play a married couple whose quiet life is thrown into turmoil when an uninvited stranger shows up at their door with a startling proposal. It’s not a perfect film (my review is upcoming) but Ronan’s performance is definitely a highlight.

Dar Salim – The Covenant

One of the most underrated movies of the year also means nobody talks about Dar Salim’s astounding performance enough. Yes, the big name is Jake Gyllenhaal as Army Sergeant John Kinley, but Salim as interpreter Ahmed Abdullah is the heart and soul of the film. My favorite moment is when Salim becomes the sole focus of the film as he’s determined to survive and keep Kinley alive. This is the first time I’ve seen him in but hopefully not the last!

Rosa Salazar – A Million Miles Away

There is that saying ‘Behind every great man there is a supportive woman’ … well, she truly exemplifies such a woman in this film as Adela, the wife of the first Mexican-American migrant farm worker to travel to space as a NASA astronaut. I love the meet-cute of Adela and Michael Peña‘s José, and Salazar can be funny, sweet, and feisty in equal measure. I love that she portrays a woman who never lets go of her own dreams as she constantly supports her husband every step of the way.

Dominic Sessa – The Holdovers

One of the best breakout performances of the year is definitely the 21-year-old Sessa who plays a troubled teenager Angus Tully. Imagine having only acted in school plays and being selected by acclaimed director Alexander Payne in twelfth grade to star alongside Paul Giamatti! I didn’t know Sessa hadn’t acted before when I saw the movie, but he’s so good that I wouldn’t have known he was a newbie. I have a feeling this wouldn’t be the last we see of Sessa, I’m curious what he’ll do next!

Nadia Tereszkiewicz – The Crime is Mine

I’m glad I got to see François Ozon‘s crime comedy on a screener before the holidays, Set in Paris in the mid-30s, Tereszkiewicz stars as a young actress who has just been acquitted of murdering a famous French Producer. The French-Finnish actor with Polish heritage looks absolutely stunning in the period costumes, she’s got that classic Hollywood look and comedic talent to boot. Adapted from a play, the dialog and story are a bit tough to follow at times but the performances keep it engaging, including a brief appearance of Isabelle Huppert.

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So which overlooked 2023 performances would make your list?