10. Alicia Vikander, Ex Machina

Alicia Vikanker has received much praise for her performance in The Danish Girl, but her more memorable role is that of a curious (and flirtatious) robot in Ex Machina.

9. Oscar Isaac, Ex Machina

Oscar Isaac delivers such a complex, unpredictable and engrossing performance in Ex Machina, it may actually take a while for you to realize just how f**king good he really is.

8. Samuel L. Jackson, The Hateful Eight

Samuel L. Jackson, in a completely different role from what he played in his last Tarantino movie Django Unchained, chomps scenery left and right in glorious fashion.

7. Walton Goggins, The Hateful Eight

As good as Jackson is, Walton Goggins is downright hilarious in his off-kilter, racist and yet oddly noble role as a Confederate soldier-turned-northern-maybe-sheriff.

6. Jacob Tremblay, Room

Jacob Tremblay’s first role was in 2013. Only two years later, the young actor is deserving of any award love that comes his way.

5. Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs

Kate Winslet delivers her best performance in years, playing Steve Jobs’ right-hand woman and confidante. Too bad you didn’t go and see the movie.

4. Brie Larson, Room

Brie Larson turns in a performance that all but guarantees her rise from indie sweetheart to mainstream star, in which she plays a woman dealing with the psychological consequences of being locked in a shed and raped for seven years.

3. Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant

This could very well be Leonardo DiCaprio’s year, and he would deserve it. He doesn’t say a whole lot in The Revenant, but he immerses himself in his role like few actors could–or are willing to.

2. Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs

Michael Fassbender is spellbinding and immerses himself so completely in the role of the Apple founder you forget you’re watching an actor play a part.

1. Tom Hardy, The Revenant

As good as DiCaprio is, we’d argue that Tom Hardy is even better in The Revenant as he gives the best performance of 2015.