Mr. Reed’s Metaphysical Neighborhood Presents the Best Film Acting of 2020

On December 31, 2020, I published my list of best (and worst) films of the year, and now here is my list of best actors of 2020. As I did last year, I list 8 best actresses and actors, 6 in each supporting category, and 5 best ensembles. All movie titles are hyperlinked to my review, if such a review exists, or to the movie’s Rotten Tomatoes page, if I have no review. Here they all are, then, in alphabetical order, by last name within each category:

BEST ACTRESS:

• Nicole Beharie, Miss Juneteenth
• Juliette Binoche, The Truth
• Sidney Flanigan, Never Rarely Sometimes Always
• Julia Garner, The Assistant
• Leah Lewis, The Half of It
• Frances McDormand, Nomadland
• Wunmi Mosaku, His House
• Fatemeh Motamed-Arya, African Violet

• Saeed Aghakhani, African Violet
• Kelvin Harrison Jr., The High Note
• Arinzé Kene, I’m Your Woman
• Orion Lee, First Cow
• Paul Raci, Sound of Metal
• David Strathairn, Nomadland

BEST ENSEMBLE:

• Blow the Man Down
• Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
• The Old Guard
• Palm Springs
• Small Axe