10 Actors who left us awestruck with their last performance 

Acting is such a timeless job that even after the credit roles, certain scenes and certain moments remain etched in our memories forever. The talent and dedication, these actors put in their work is truly appreciated only when it transcends from the screen and resonates with the emotions of the audience. Here is a list of 10 actors who left us awestruck with their last performance and have cemented their future in cinema.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's personal opinion. It may or may not align with the views of the readers. Any recommendations or rectifications are welcome.

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1) Cynthia Erivo in Wicked

Actress Cynthia Erivo’s work in the movie - Wicked, was truly memorable. The way she conveyed emotional depth and vulnerability was truly powerful and moving, making her performance, an unforgettable one. Her character goes through a process of transformation and self-discovery, which she expresses quite diligently. She emphasized the rebellious nature of her character and added a certain layer of complexity and moral ambiguity to it. Her vocal performance and expressiveness require a separate mention as they added dimension to the entire movie.

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2) Denzel Washington in Gladiator II

Denzel Washington's performance in Gladiator II was gladly awaited by the audience for a long period of time. Keeping up with the expectations, Denzel Washington's role was authoritative, wise, and strategic. He is a master of playing characters with different layers to them and he did the same in this movie too. His screen presence is full of charisma and raw energy which could be seen on the screen. Whether it was his actions or his speeches, he delivered them with such conviction and intensity that the audience was in a true sense left awestruck.

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3) Paul Mescal in Gladiator II

Paul Mescal added a layer of freshness to the Gladiator II film. Firstly, his physical transformation for the role requires a lot of appreciation. To be true to the character, he underwent severe physical strength training and developed a physique like that of the Roman gladiators. He learned combat and performed the sequences exceptionally well. The most difficult part of portraying a fantastical character is to make him seem grounded in humanity, which Paul Mescal did very profoundly and intelligently, making it a point to show the audience that beneath all the tough exterior lies a hopeful, vulnerable person.

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4) Timothée Chalamet in A Complete Unknown

A Complete Unknown beautifully captures the life of Bob Dylan, portrayed by none other than - Timothée Chalamet. Timothée Chalamet has done an incredible job in this role. His imitation of the iconic Bob Dylan was amazing. From nailing his signature voice to adapting his mannerisms, Timothée showed exactly why he is a capable and talented actor. He added an introspective depth to his acting which brought about the subtle power, synonyms to Bob Dylan.

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5) Adrien Brody in The Brutalist

By now, we have been witnesses to Adrien Brody’s emotionally resilient acting. One perfect example of this could be his latest film – The Brutalist which is a story of survival. Adrien Brody excels at capturing the vulnerability and internalized pain of his characters very artistically. He is a master of the ability to communicate silently, which moves the audience more than words ever could. He perfectly balanced the tenderness and devotion required for his character making it appear authentic and visionary.

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6) Felicity Jones in The Brutalist

Along with Adrian Brody, we also get to see a masterful performance by his co-star Felicity Jones in the movie – The Brutalist. Her character is a woman trying to face post-war challenges, resiliently and with hope in her heart. Through the usage of longing glances, the actress managed to put across her unwavering devotion to her husband. Without putting on much theatrics, she managed to captivate the attention of the audience in a quiet way, leaving them with an emotionally charged and authentic performance.

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7) Demi Moore in The Substance

Actress Demi Moore has been in the industry for a long time. Her work is always appreciated, but her performance in the movie – The Substance, was one of the first to earn her a Golden Globe Award. Her character goes through a physical and psychological transformation, and she manages to capture that quality quite greatly. She had such intense lingering power that a single look from her was able to leave a commanding presence. She quite artistically combined psychological horror with emotion that left the watchers with an eerie feeling.

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8) Lily-Rose Depp in Nosferatu

Lilly Rose Depp’s performance in the gothic horror film - Nosferatu is one of her personal best. Her character is an innocent figure corrupted by a greater evil. She quite adeptly manages to portray the melancholy of her character and perfectly taps the old-world elegance required for the Gothic aesthetic of this movie. Without any excessive dialogue and with a silent performance she managed to give us a haunting but unforgettable performance.

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9) Sebastian Stan in A Different Man

Only Sebastian Stan could deliver a perfect blend of dark humor and psychological horror so effortlessly. His performance in the movie – A Different Man is about the power of transformation and reinvention of one's identity. Sebastian Stan not only managed to give one of his finest, emotional performances but also worked greatly on the physical transformation required for the role. He showed his versatility as an actor by acing this psychologically complex role.

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10) Zoe Saldana in Emilia Perez

Actress Zoe Saldana in the movie Emilia Perez, showcased how she is an excellent actress. This crime drama had Saldana’s character at the crossroads of crime and personal transformation. She added a vulnerability to her role and then balanced it with resilience for change, which made her performance striking. Her screen presence was expressive as well as commanding and she has won several awards, further solidifying her career in Hollywood.