20 Times a movie was saved by a female lead

Modified Jan 22, 2025 05:52 ET

"Memory" Red Carpet - The 80th Venice International Film Festival - Source: Getty — Jessica Chastain (Photo by Maria Moratti/Getty Images)

10. Lupita Nyong’o in Us (2019)

Lupita Nyong’o (Photo by Amy Sussman/WireImage for Parkwood)

Lupita Nyong’o carried Us with a performance that set it apart. The film’s concept was ambitious and risked losing focus, but she gave it depth and balance. Nyong’o’s dual roles as Adelaide and Red were distinct and layered. She made Adelaide’s fear and determination feel raw while giving Red an unsettling and mysterious presence. Her work added layers to the story and brought its themes of identity and trauma into sharp focus. Nyong’o’s performance turned a good horror film into something truly unforgettable.