17 Performances so sad that you won’t be able to hold your tears

Modified Feb 09, 2025 11:34 ET

The Father | Image Source: Sony Pictures Classics

11) Michelle Williams in Manchester by the Sea (2016)

Manchester by the Sea | Image Source: Amazon Studios

Michelle Williams gives a hauntingly brief yet devastating performance in Manchester by the Sea as Randi, the ex-wife of Casey Affleck's character. Her quiet power in a scene where she confronts him after the death of their children is devastatingly heartbreaking. She cracks her voice while speaking about the unbearable pain of losing her children, and her subtle emotional performance leaves an indelible mark. Williams captures so much raw pain in her expressions that her scene is one of the most heart-wrenching moments in the movie.