Best Movies of 2016 – Best Lead Actress

2016 is without a doubt the strongest year for actresses this decade.  This was the hardest list for me to make, as I hated not including some of these great performances.  But, I believe that these five performances are the absolute best of 2016.  Here are my picks for the best lead actress performances in 2016.

5 – MARY ELIZABETH WINSTEAD as MICHELLE in 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 

As I’ve said in a few columns through out the week, 10 Cloverfield Lane is a great film a lot of people have forgotten about because it came out in March.  Mary Elizabeth Winstead has been on the cusp of stardom for years now, playing supporting characters in films like Scott Pilgrim vs The World (2010) and starring in indie films like Smashed (2012).  But, her performance in 10 Cloverfield Lane is one that proves she can lead a big movie.  In this twisty mystery thriller, Winstead plays a confused kidnapped woman who has no idea where she is or why she is there.  She perfectly represents the audience, taking us on this eerie journey and giving us perspective of what is going on.  But it is when Michelle tries to escape where Winstead really shines.  Reminiscent of Ripley from Aliens (1986), Winstead shows Michelle’s intelligence, toughness, and determination, taking Michelle to a whole other level of awesomeness.  This should solidify Winstead as one our best young leading ladies.

4 – JESSICA CHASTAIN as ELIZABETH SLOANE in MISS SLOANE 

You know it’s a loaded year when this performance is at number four.  Jessica Chastain is one of our finest actresses working today, and her performance as Elizabeth Sloane is one of her best.  She plays this cold, calculating lobbyist with such force and preciseness.  Elizabeth is obsessed with winning and will do anything to win, no matter the ethical or personal implications.  Chastain really dives into the character, giving her more depth and more layers than expected, making a character the would normally by unsympathetic one that we understand and root for, even if she does push ethics to its limits.  This is a great character and Chastain knew exactly how to make her shine.

3 – ISABELLE HUPPERT as MICHÈLE LEBLANC in ELLE 

Isabelle Huppert is a legend and in Paul Verhoeven’s thriller, she gives yet another legendary performance.  Michèle is the victim of a horrible act of violence that, you would think, would traumatize her and send her into a state of depression and sadness.  But Michèle isn’t that way.  She stays strong and casually informs people about her attack.  She isn’t scared, she’s intrigued, and when the attacker returns, Michèle takes a turn that is unexpected and awesome.  Huppert is fascinating to watch.  The way she goes about her life after the attack is so unique and unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.  This reminded me of a performances you would see in a classic Hitchcock movie.  It is one of mystery, intrigue, and mastery.

2 – EMMA STONE as MIA in LA LA LAND 

I’ve loved Emma Stone since I first saw her in 2007’s Superbad.  But, I have never loved her as much as I did here in La La Land.  She does everything in this movie.  She sings, she dances, she does drama, she does comedy, and most of all, she is the heart and soul of the movie.  We follow Mia’s journey through out the film, as she tries to make it Hollywood.  We see her fall on her face, we see her fall in love, and we see her succeed, even if it comes at a cost.  Stone is consistently pushing her acting limits, challenging herself every movie and doing new things with every role and she truly shines in this magical musical.

1 – NATALIE PORTMAN as JACQUELINE KENNEDY  IN JACKIE 

It was a tough call between Portman and Stone, but after a rewatch, Portman claimed the top spot.  This is truly a remarkable performance.  In Pablo Larrain’s intimate, unorthodox biopic about Jackie Kennedy and the days before and after her husband’s assassination, Portman gives us a haunting look a queen who just had everything taken from her.  This could be argued as Portman’s best performance, rivaling only that one her Oscar winning performance in Black Swan (2010).  Like her Black Swan performance, Portman transforms herself to become Jackie Kennedy.  She hits ever mannerism and hearing her talk is like hearing the voice of ghost.  This is a committed portrayal of a flawed, broken figure.  The movie is all about Jackie and Portman knows it.  This is a remarkable, masterful performance and the best from a leading actress in 2016.

What was your best lead actress performance of 2016?  Comment below or hit me up on Twitter and Instagram, @kevflix, or on Facebook and YouTube by searching Kevflix.