So Far, Here are the 7 Best Movie Performances By David Oyelowo

2018 is set to be the year of David Oyelowo. The talented British-Nigerian actor will be leading three highly-anticipated projects: Only You, a science fiction horror film; God Particle, the third movie in the acclaimed Cloverfield franchise; and Gringo, a very promising action comedy.

While we anticipate all these movies and his expectedly stellar performances in them — he’s been consistently great in everything — we’ve decided to go through the actor’s impressive filmography and rank his best movie performances to date.

From his celebrated performance as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Oscar-nominated Selma to his stirring work as Robert Katende in the critically acclaimed Queen of Katwe, these are the seven best David Oyelowo performances (so far, of course).

7. Lawrence in A Most Violent Year

Oyelowo’s role in J.C. Chandor’s crime drama, A Most Violent Year, might be his smallest on this list, but it’s no less effective — what he lacks in screentime, he more than makes up for with a brilliant performance.

Playing an ambitious and badass district attorney, Oyelowo shines alongside two equally gifted actors, Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac. And like a true supporting performer, he helps bring out the best in the film’s brilliant leads.

6. Brian in Middle Of Nowhere

Before working with Ava Duvernay on Selma, David Oyelowo starred in her second directorial effort, Middle Of Nowhere — earning himself a coveted Independent Spirit nomination for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ along the way.

Playing Brian, a kind bus driver who woos Ruby, the film’s protagonist, Oyelowo’s charisma is on full display. As Brian, he radiates a warmth that allows the viewer understand why Ruby immediately feels so safe with him.

5. Louis Ganes in The Butler

It takes a special kind of actor to completely steal a movie from the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Forest Whitaker, but that’s exactly what David Oyelowo did in Lee Daniels’ 2013 biopic, The Butler.

As a hot-headed civil rights activist and the son of the titular butler, Oyelowo brings an intensity to the role that makes his character the most captivating in a sea full of great characters.

4. Seretse Khama in A United Kingdom

Amma Asante struck gold when she cast David Oyelowo as Seretse Khama in her biographical romantic drama, A United Kingdom. He gives a performance that is so much better than the film around him.

He is utterly believable as a dignified prince who has to balance the responsibility of his birthright and the needs of his heart. It’s a breathtaking performance that not enough people got to see.

3. Robert Katende in Queen Of Katwe

Mira Nair’s feel-good sports biopic, Queen of Katwe, was one of the most underrated movies of 2016, and David Oyelowo’s charismatic turn as the bright-eyed chess coach, Robert Katende was one of that year’s most underrated performances.

Oyelowo brought some much-needed complexity to a character that could have easily come off as too sanctimonious. He let us see Katende’s inner struggle as he chooses to help the kids of Katwe over a promising engineering job.

2. Peter Snowden in Nightingale

Leaving just one actor to carry an entire movie is a tricky gamble that requires the most talented and charismatic performers. Luckily for HBO’s TV Movie, Nightingale, they found that performer in David Oyelowo.

Playing a supermarket clerk whose mind is unraveling, Oyelowo gives a disorienting and unforgettable performance all by himself. It’s not hard to see why the actor went on to land an Emmy nomination for his work in the film.

1. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma

David Oyelowo’s work in Ava DuVernay’s Selma is the highlight of his impressive carer — a performance so iconic, he shouldn’t have simply landed an Oscar nomination for ‘Best Actor’, he should have walked away with the damn statue.

Playing the legendary Martin Luther King, Oyelowo not only projects quiet authority and unwavering spirituality, he lets us see Mr. King’s flaws and self-doubt — it’s a career-defining masterclass from one of the very best actors working today.