7) That Guy From Girls
Before The Force Awakens shattered all box office records in existence, Adam Driver was best known for playing Adam Sackler on the HBO show Girls, but now that he’s forever embedded in Star Wars mythology as Kylo Ren, that’s all set to change.
When it comes to acting, facial expressions are usually considered key, but Driver had the unenviable task of portraying his character from behind a mask for the majority of The Force Awakens. Despite this setback, Driver successfully imbues Ren with a cruel menace that underpins how formidable this villain truly is.
From each physical gesture to the intonation of his voice, Kylo Ren turns out to be one of the most fully rounded characters in the movie, long before his face is finally revealed. Towards the film’s climax, the usually droll villain lets his emotions slip occasionally during the final confrontations, revealing what’s left of Kylo’s broken humanity.
The role of Kylo Ren could have easily descended into caricature, but Driver’s performance is a masterclass of control, exuding an air of cruelty without ever taking things too far.