ACTORS ON REPEAT

Viola Davis is undoubtedly one of the best actors in human history (and I don’t think that’s an exaggeration). Her fearless vulnerability and transportive portrayal of complex characters makes her someone I could watch again and again. Davis is an actress that has worked hard for everything she’s gained with a steely faith and determination that one can only admire. On camera, her roles include a myriad of films, such as The Woman King (2022), The Help (2011), and Fences (2016) have been outstanding. Davis was in the 2008 film Doubt for a total of eight minutes, yet that was all she needed to land herself Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations. In terms of accolades, Viola Davis has proven repeatedly that she is one of the best - the actress earned the EGOT title after winning a Grammy to go with her Emmy, Oscar, and Tony (among a plethora of other awards such as a NAACP, BAFTA, SAG, Critic's Choice… I could go on). But even if Viola Davis never received any of these awards, she would remain a deeply sensitive and powerful force to be reckoned with.

As your thumb begins to cramp at the 10-minute mark of your ‘scroll’, each suggested title starts to become an insult as all Netflix cares to suggest are the same five romcoms you can quote backwards. Or it’s the ‘indie flicks’ that you just know some nepo baby directed prior to being a ‘life coach’. It is at this point that you become desperate for a ‘name’, one of those actors that you trust to not waste the next two hours of your life with pretentious claptrap. For me, Jodie Foster is the ultimate ‘name’. With a career spanning five decades and two best actress wins at the Academy Awards, it is safe to say Jodie Foster has consistently made good film choices. From her break out roles in the surprisingly heart-wrenching Bugsy Malone and Taxi Driver, to Panic Room and Silence of The Lambs, Foster’s filmology reads like an IMDB top 10 list. What always strikes me about the characters that Foster portrays, is the wise beyond their years lilt she gives to each performance. There is a calming air to her characters and a presence that makes even her lesser work compelling to watch on repeat. So, the next time you’re scrolling aimlessly for a flick, know that Foster is a sure bet for a worthwhile watch.

When looking at the rising stars of British Cinema and Hollywood, it is abundantly clear why Daniel Kaluuya is at the top of that list. With powerful and immersive works, like Get Out (2017), Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) and “Fifteen Million Merits” from the Black Mirror franchise (2011), Kaluuya’s work delves deep into social commentaries on racial injustice, as well as hyper-consumerism. Moreover, his collaborations with Jordan Peele for both Get Out and Nope (2022) manipulate the essence of traditional horror movies with an abundance of political critiques. In addition to this, Kaluuya’s portrayal of Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah left audiences stunned - there is not a more magnetic and captivating actor than Daniel Kaluuya. The role also landed Kaluuya the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The first time I saw Daniel Kaluuya perform was in Black Mirror and after watching his intense and tireless monologue at the X Factor-esque talent show, I knew he’d be one of my favourite actors. His depictions are always incredibly dynamic and compelling, whether he’s starring in a drama or comedy. It’s explicit that his name will go down in history.