Some of these roles also brought attention to people of color, including African Americans and Asian Americans, as well as indigenous people. The year has brought much-needed diversity not only in sci-fi, but also in the action and horror genres. Here are the best sci-fi performances of 2022.
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Crimes of the Future — Scott Speedman as Lang Dotrice
In David Cronenberg’s latest sci-fi horror feature, Crimes of the Future, Lang Dotrice (Scott Speedman) is an ex-husband and father mourning the death of his son, Brecken, who was killed by his mother due to his ability to eat plastic and toxic waste. While Brecken’s mom disapproved of her son, Lang loved his child and believes that his abilities were gifts of human evolution, which is why he asks performance artists Saul Tenser and Caprice to perform an autopsy of Brecken in public.
In the world of this film, performing surgery is the new sex. Viggo Mortensen and Léa Seydoux are captivating in their roles as Tenser and Caprice, respectively. However, Speedman’s performance as Lang is the most sentimental because of the emotions he has not only for his son’s death, but also for embracing Brecken’s abnormalities and imperfections. Lang wanted the world to understand how unique Brecken was in a future where people are addicted to each other’s bodies.
Avatar: The Way of Water — Britain Dalton as Lo’ak
There are several great characters in this expansive Avatar sequel, from the familiar players (Jake Sully, Neytiri, Colonel Miles Quaritch) to new members (Ronal and Tonowari of the Metkayina, their daughter Tsireya, Spider). However, Lo’ak (Jake and Neytiri’s second son) is one of the more central characters in this film. Lo’ak initially starts out as a fearful kid who feels underappreciated by everyone, including his family, but proves himself as a brave and tough warrior with potential.
Lo’ak (well-acted by Britain Dalton) is a welcome addition to the Avatar franchise due to the character’s ability to get close to others. This includes his interaction with a creature named Payakan, an intelligent aquatic mammal who is mistaken as a killer by the Metkayina. When Lo’ak gains its trust, Payakan is proven to be a savior and an ally that can help defeat evil threats, especially when Quaritch wages war. Lo’ak also uses Payakan to save his father’s life and teaches Jake how to breathe in the water (which he learned from the Metkayina), allowing Jake to view Lo’ak as a good and worthy son.
Nope — Keke Palmer as Emerald “Em” Haywood
In Jordan Peele’s complex sci-fi horror Western film Nope, Keke Palmer delivers arguably the best performance of her career as Emerald “Em” Haywood. She’s a funny and charismatic character who trains horses for movie and TV productions with her brother, Otis “OJ” Heywood Jr. She loves her brother and her job, but after the sudden death of her father, Otis Heywood Sr., Em worries about the Heywood business due to high expenses and having to sell certain horses.
Em becomes shocked when she and her brother witness a UFO that sucks the life out of everything. She is determined to take down and capture video of the UFO with the help of her brother, a cinematographer, and a tech salesman. The conflict has a profound impact on all the main characters, especially Em. Her battle with the UFO symbolizes her fight to keep her home and support her brother.
Prey — Amber Midthunder as Naru
In the best Predator film since the original, Amber Midthunder delivers a powerful performance as Naru, a young Comanche warrior who tries to prove herself as a hunter to her tribe (including her brother and mother). Naru is fearful at times and isn’t always the toughest one around, but her will to keep fighting is evident, as are her skills in tracking and making medicine. She is also good with weapons like her ax on a string and learning to use a gun, while also moving efficiently during physical one-on-one fights.
When Naru analyzes the Predator, she is stunned by the creature’s skills, especially in a scene where she witnesses the Predator beat up and kill a huge bear. Naru appears outmatched by the Predator throughout the film, but she manages to learn about how the creature hunts and adapts to it, giving her the advantage she needs to take it down. Naru is a prime example of a strong woman and a hero done right, reminiscent of Ripley from the Alien franchise.
Everything Everywhere All At Once — Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn Quan Wang
Everything Everywhere All at Once is proof that a superhero picture doesn’t always include heroes with capes. In this epic sci-fi action film, the primary hero is a mother who struggles to deal with the ordeals in her life (running a laundromat, tax problems, and issues with her husband, daughter, and father), while also having to save the world. Michelle Yeoh has been in some magnificent action pictures, including Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, and countless Hong Kong martial arts epics. But her performance here as Evelyn Quan Wang is one of her most complex characters due to her balance of drama, comedy, and action.
Evelyn initially has no idea what she’s getting into when she’s introduced to the concept surrounding the multiverse, where she, her family, and everyone they know around the world exist in multiple universes. However, when Evelyn learns that her own daughter is the primary antagonist trying to destroy herself along with everyone else, Evelyn puts her heart and soul into doing everything she can to save her daughter and understand her for who she is. This conflict surrounding the multiverse makes Evelyn realize how important her family is and that she loves and cherishes them very much.
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