2022 was a busy year for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, both on the big screen and on Disney Plus. And as expected of a franchise with so much phenomenal talent in front of the camera, there were plenty of memorable performances this year by the stars of the MCU.
There are plenty of actors who could have easily made the cut, from Benedict Cumberbatch in Doctor Strange to Natalie Portman in Thor to Tatiana Maslany in She-Hulk. However, these examples of standout acting within the superhero genre outshine the rest.
Oscar Isaac as Moon Knight
Oscar Isaac has become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars over the past decade, landing high-profile roles in both critical darlings like Inside Llewyn Davis or Ex Machina and big-budget blockbusters like Star Wars and Dune. And while his first foray into the Marvel Universe as the titular villain of X-Men: Apocalypse proved rather ill-fated, Isaac’s second time playing an Egyptian-themed Marvel character was a massive success. This year, Isaac entered the MCU as the titular hero of Moon Knight, playing both the tough-as-nails mercenary Marc Spector and his alternate personality, the mild-mannered museum employee Steven Grant.
Isaac’s role in Moon Knight is a particularly challenging one — not only is he playing two characters sharing one body, but much of the show also requires him to act opposite himself for extended sequences. A lesser actor would have struggled to make this feel natural, yet Isaac makes it look easy. Marc and Steven feel like such distinct characters that one can sometimes forget that they’re being played by the same actor. Isaac perfectly captures Marc’s weary, grizzled action hero persona while imbuing plenty of earnest, awkward charm into Steven. Isaac’s performance in Moon Knight is cool, funny, and heartbreaking in equal measure. In fact, it’s a strong contender for one of the best MCU performances not just of the year, but in the entire history of the franchise.
Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch
It almost feels like cheating to put Elizabeth Olsen on this list after she already made such a big splash with her acting in last year’s WandaVision. However, Olsen’s latest reprisal of Wanda Maximoff in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is so phenomenal that it absolutely deserves mention all the same. Olsen already showed off her tremendous range in WandaVision, but this year, she went even further and proved just how terrifying she can be. Wanda’s had her creepy moments before, but in Multiverse of Madness, she’s downright chilling.
Olsen does a fantastic job making it feel as if Wanda is a force of nature, so unhinged in her desperation that nothing can possibly stand in her way. Yet even so, she manages to lend plenty of humanity to the role as well, bringing to life the innate tragedy of the character just as expertly as the horror. The Scarlet Witch is one of the most nuanced characters in the entire MCU, and Elizabeth Olsen has done masterful work in bringing every dimension of her to life.
Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel
Another newcomer to the MCU this year is Iman Vellani, who plays the titular hero of Ms. Marvel. Fittingly enough, Vellani has quite a lot in common with Kamala Khan, from her Pakistani heritage and Muslim upbringing to her lifelong love of the Avengers. This shared background makes Vellani’s performance as Kamala feel all the more genuine — her relationship with her family feels grounded and real, while her joy at becoming a superhero is downright infectious.
Vellani embodies the role of Kamala Khan every bit as fully as Robert Downey Jr. with Tony Stark or Tom Holland with Peter Parker. She brings so much vibrancy and authenticity to the part that it becomes easy to forget that Ms. Marvel is Vellani’s first-ever TV role. And if her debut is any indication, it’s going to be a treat seeing Vellani star opposite Brie Larson in next year’s The Marvels.
Christian Bale as Gorr
Christian Bale’s turn as Gorr the God-Butcher, the main antagonist of Thor: Love and Thunder, may seem like an unorthodox inclusion on this list. After all, one of the most common criticisms of the film was the lack of focus on Gorr, making an accomplished actor like Bale feel wasted in the role — not unlike Christopher Eccleston as Malekith in The Dark World. But unlike Eccleston before him, Bale manages to make the most of what little screen time he has.
Bale’s performance as Gorr can be sorrowful one scene and demented the next, giving the impression of a once-kind man whose mind has been warped by his obsession with vengeance. He may not be as much of a scene-stealer as Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin, but Bale similarly manages to be one of the highlights of the film despite his sorely limited screen time.
The Entire Cast of Black Panther 2
On the one hand, it’s probably not fair to include the entire ensemble cast of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever as a single entry on this list. But at the same time, it feels equally unfair to include only a single actor when so many cast members deliver absolutely unforgettable performances. The obvious candidate is Letitia Wright, who stepped up to the plate to turn Shuri from a comedic supporting player to a compelling, nuanced protagonist who spends the whole film grappling with her grief. However, the biggest scene-stealer of the movie is without a doubt Angela Bassett as Ramonda. Bassett gives an absolute powerhouse performance, delivering dramatic, emotional speeches and quiet family conversations with equal gravitas.
Then there’s Danai Gurira, who brings a new level of complexity to Okoye by showing off both her tough-as-nails warrior exterior and the vulnerability beneath. Winston Duke provides a welcome return as M’Baku, while Dominique Thorne makes a strong debut as Riri Williams. And of course, it’s practically impossible not to praise Tenoch Huerta as Namor. Both a proud, vengeful ruler and a loyal protector of his people, Namor is one of the most multifaceted antagonists yet in the MCU, and Huerta expertly brings him to life. The first Black Panther already boasted one of the strongest ensembles in the MCU, and its sequel arguably outdoes it. There are so many brilliant performances on display that it’s impossible just to pick one.