The 94th Academy Awards held on March 27 will recognize nearly 40 nominated feature films, showcasing filmmakers and creative talents from many parts of the globe. This year's Oscar-nominated films traverse genres from Sci-Fi to Westerns, platforming filmmakers from the established Steven Spielberg and Jane Campion to breakthrough directors like Maggie Gyllenhaal and Ryusuke Hamaguchi. In addition, this wide variety of acknowledged films offers a dynamic mixture of both leading and supporting characters.
From bombastic, extroverted personalities to subtle, nuanced performances, 2022's Oscar-nominated movies include many characters that will go down in the history of cinema thanks to their iconic qualities. Here is a glance into some of the most memorable characters from the Academy Award-nominated films of 2022.
Amin - Flee
Jonas Poher Rasmussen's documentary Flee made history with its trio of nominations for Animated Feature, Documentary Feature, and International Film at the 94th Academy Awards. Centering around the true-life experience of an Afghan refugee using the pseudonym Amin, this film was animated to aid in protecting Amin's real identity.
Amin shares his life story for the first time, confronting his sense of self and belonging as the refugee of a war-torn country. Emotional and cathartic, Amin's journey is the life-soul of Flee and possesses the power to connect with many audiences.
Dr. Lilith Ritter - Nightmare Alley
Cate Blanchett's latest acting role found her collaborating with Guillermo Del Toro for the first time in her career, playing Lilith Ritter in Nightmare Alley. No stranger to period films, Blanchett channels her deliciously wicked interpretation of the femme fatale in Nightmare Alley.
This feature is a noir film in the classical sense and has the look and feel of films from the 1940s. As Lilith Ritter, one of Buffalo New York's top psychiatrists, Blanchett is in perfect control of her environment and is always two steps ahead of the film's seedy protagonist, Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper).
Frank Rossi - CODA
Known best for his theater credits, deaf American actor Troy Kotsur received his breakout movie role playing Frank Rossi in CODA, the standout family drama revolving around a mostly deaf family and their daughter on the brink of adulthood. As the patriarch of the Rossi family, Frank's character is unapologetic and hilarious, tending for his struggling business while retaining solid bonds with his family.
Unabashedly partaking in joints and communicating his earthly desires for his wife, Frank exemplifies a free spirit type of father with a huge heart for his loved ones. Kotsur's performance as Frank has earned the Actor much critical acclaim; Kotsur has won the SAG, BAFTA, and Critic's Choice Award for Supporting Actor and is the clear leader of the pack in this year's Oscar race for that category.
Ma - Belfast
Irish model-turned-actress Caitríona Balfe has received her most critically acclaimed role yet as "Ma" in Belfast. Set in the historical backdrop of The Troubles in Northern Ireland during the late 1960s, Balfe's strong matriarchal character serves as the plaster that holds her family together. Audacious and outspoken, Ma's character taps into the universal love of all mothers who want what is best for their families.
Torn between staying with her tight community in Belfast or moving to England in search of a more stable life, Ma's outlook speaks to the grander themes of Belfast. Thanks to Balfe's compelling performance as Ma, which earned Supporting Actress nominations at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and Critic's Choice Awards, we will surely see the Irish actress in future high-profile films.
Misaki Watari - Drive My Car
Japanese actress Tōko Miura became an international breakthrough with her role as Misaki Watari in Drive My Car. One of many fantastic elements of Ryusuke Hamaguchi's latest film, Tōko Miura's performance is demure and moving. In Drive My Car, Misaki is the hired driver of the protagonist Yūsuke, and as the expansive film moves forward, Misaki opens up about her rural, impoverished background.
Misaki and Yūsuke develop an unlikely bond as they get to know one another, and their tender friendship becomes the film's core. A touching performance not soon to be forgotten, Miura's Misaki is one of the most fantastic characters from this year's Oscar-nominated entries.
Nina - The Lost Daughter
Alluring and enigmatic, Dakota Johnson's character in The Lost Daughter perfectly fits the actress's onscreen strengths. In the film, Johnson plays Nina, a young Long Island mother vacationing with her family and daughter in their ancestral Greek homeland.
Although a supporting character, Nina perfectly exemplifies the film's themes of the trials of motherhood, especially in the moments where her young daughter seems to enjoy hijacking all of Nina's tranquility. The Lost Daughter makes allusions to the shady side of Nina's family, adding to her sense of dangerous sensuality. Johnson's turn as Nina in The Lost Daughter has quickly become one of the A-list actress's most iconic performances.
Phil Burbank - The Power of the Dog
Benedict Cumberbatch arguably delivers the best onscreen performance of his career for his latest Oscar-nominated role in The Power of the Dog. Cumberbatch plays Phil Burbank, the machismo co-owner of a Montana ranch during the early 20th century who glorifies the days of the "Old West" and resents the progress of modern times.
Cumberbatch's fiery performance captures the toxicity of Phil's masculinity while also confronting the insecurities of the character's relationship with the changing world around him. While the English Cumberbatch might not be the first person one would associate with a cowboy of the American West, his dynamic performance perfectly depicts the actor's fantastic talent in front of the camera in this wickedly captivating role.
Princess Diana - Spencer
Powerhouse talent Kristen Stewart can do everything from blockbusters to microbudget indie films. Her latest role in Pablo Larraín's Spencer has found the young actress embodying the feminine and maternal icon Diana, Princess of Wales. Shying away from the conventions of a straight-laced biopic, Stewart's interpretation of Diana leans into the late icon's emotional headspace during a tumultuous period of her life.
Speaking to more significant matters regarding public image, monarchal powers, and motherhood, Stewart's take on Diana is hypnotizing and complex, pushing viewers to question their preconceived notions regarding the People's Princess and her influential legacy. Spencer perfectly captures Stewart's maturation as an actress and shows her capacity to take on cerebral roles that could go awry in the hands of lesser performers.
Richard Williams - King Richard
Since King Richard first premiered last fall, Will Smith has been universally praised for his career topping performance as the film's leading character, Richard Williams. As the charismatic, headstrong father to tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams, Smith channels many nuanced characteristics of Richard Williams as he works towards his daughters' success.
A fast talker who uses his charm and wit to get where he wants to be, Smith's interpretation of Williams is sincere and engaging, shining light on the Williams family's journey to the top of the tennis world. Smith has garnered nearly every major Best Actor prize of this awards season for his role; the actor is the solid front-runner in the Best Actor category at the 94th Academy Awards.
Valentina - West Side Story
90-year-old actress Rita Moreno revisited the world of West Side Story in the 2021 Steven Spielberg adaptation as Valentina. Initially cast in the role of Anita in the 1961 version, which won Moreno the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, Moreno takes on a new position in the latest adaptation as a slightly-altered version of Doc, the caring drug store owner who employs the film's protagonist Tony.
Moreno channels Valentina's caring, parental guidance over Tony's life with much tenderness and passion. The latest version of West Side Story hands one of its most iconic songs over to Moreno's Valentina, "Somewhere," which Moreno expertly delivers. Moreno offers the most heart-warming performance in West Side Story, hands down.