Why: Teller was previously known for wild teen comedies like Project X and 21 & Over, but in coming-of-age drama The Spectacular Now, he expertly dissected the falsity behind those same, carefree party animals. As Sutter Keeley, a popular goofball completely committed to the fantasy of living in the moment, Teller showcased a dramatic depth and charisma only hinted at in his previous roles.
Starring alongside the luminescent Shailene Woodley, Teller provided a thoughtful and affecting portrayal of the typical American teenager, exploring Sutter’s imperfections while also maintaining a fascinating, finely-drawn façade of larger-than-life magnetism. Teller’s was an astute, hopeful and star-making performance.
What’s Next: In 2014, the actor will appear in two romantic comedies, That Awkward Moment and Two Night Stand, and reteam with Woodley for YA property Divergent. Also in the pipeline: a musical drama called Whiplash.
Why: Though Ejiofor has been on the Hollywood scene since 2002’s Dirty Pretty Things, he’s never received the respect he so thoroughly deserves. His stunning turn as freed-man-turned-slave Solomon Northup in Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave is guaranteed to change that – filling every glance and movement with unspeakable pain, Ejiofor anchored the most deeply upsetting and staggeringly powerful film about American slavery in cinematic history.
All of the Best Actor buzz is justified – in every scene, the actor was unabashedly brilliant, communicating the brutal reality of a slave’s life with dramatic pathos, soulful stoicism and remarkable strength of character. We’ll be hearing about his performance for years to come.
What’s Next: After picking up a well-earned Best Actor statuette at next year’s Oscar ceremony (no doubt in my mind), Ejiofor will appear in Nigerian drama Half of a Yellow Sun and then star with Amanda Seyfried and Chris Pine in the post-apocalyptic Z for Zachariah, adapted from Robert C. O’Brien’s sci-fi classic.
