Black Actresses Who Carried Movies That Didn’t Deserve Them

Hollywood has a long history of casting undeniably talented performers in productions that fail to match their skill level. Black actresses often find themselves in this predicament where they must elevate lackluster scripts or confused direction through sheer charisma and acting prowess. These women deliver professional and often memorable performances even when the material around them crumbles under critical scrutiny. They manage to remain the brightest spot in these films and prove that their talent can shine through even the dimmest cinematic efforts.

Halle Berry

In ‘Catwoman’ (2004), Halle Berry committed fully to the role of Patience Phillips despite the widely criticized script and costume design. She utilized her physical agility and screen presence to try and make the incoherent plot watchable for the audience. The film suffered from poor editing and a confusing tone that wavered between camp and seriousness. Berry later acknowledged the movie’s flaws with good humor while accepting a Razzie Award in person. Her performance remains the only energetic element in a superhero movie that missed the mark completely.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis brought gravitas and intensity to the role of Amanda Waller in ‘Suicide Squad’ (2016). While the film struggled with pacing issues and a disjointed narrative, Davis remained a terrifying and commanding force in every scene she inhabited. She portrayed the government official with a ruthless efficiency that grounded the chaotic comic book elements. Critics praised her performance as one of the few redeeming qualities of the theatrical release. She managed to make a non-superpowered bureaucrat feel more dangerous than the villains she commanded.

Octavia Spencer

The psychological horror film ‘Ma’ (2019) relied entirely on Octavia Spencer’s ability to switch between endearing and unhinged. She played a lonely veterinary aide who allows teenagers to party in her basement before her behavior turns deadly. The script often leaned into absurdity and plot holes that would have sunk a lesser performer. Spencer elevated the B-movie material into a campy cult favorite through her commitment to the character’s twisted logic. Her facial expressions alone added layers of depth that the screenplay failed to provide.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson channeled 1970s action stars in the thriller ‘Proud Mary’ (2018). She played a hitwoman working for an organized crime family who faces a moral crisis after a job goes wrong. The film suffered from a low budget and uninspired action sequences that wasted Henson’s dramatic and physical talents. She still managed to deliver a compelling portrayal of a woman seeking redemption in a violent world. Her emotional commitment sold scenes that otherwise felt generic and underwritten.

Lupita Nyong’o

The spy ensemble ‘The 355’ (2022) featured a star-studded cast but failed to deliver a cohesive or original story. Lupita Nyong’o played a British intelligence specialist and brought a high level of technical skill to the role. She executed complex fight choreography and maintained a convincing accent throughout the generic action set pieces. The movie relied heavily on clichés that undermined the talents of its leads. Nyong’o stood out by infusing her character with a sense of intelligence and urgency that the plot lacked.

Beyoncé

In the thriller ‘Obsessed’ (2009), Beyoncé played a wife fighting to protect her family from a stalker. The movie followed a predictable formula that critics dismissed as a melodramatic retread of better films. Beyoncé brought genuine fire and protective energy to the climax which pleased audiences despite the negative reviews. The script gave her little nuance to work with but she maximized the emotional stakes. Her final confrontation with the antagonist remains a memorable pop culture moment solely due to her delivery.

Queen Latifah

The action-comedy ‘Taxi’ (2004) paired Queen Latifah with Jimmy Fallon in a remake of a French film. The jokes often fell flat and the action sequences lacked the necessary adrenaline to keep viewers engaged. Latifah used her natural charisma and commanding screen presence to keep the movie from becoming unwatchable. She played the skilled driver with a confidence that far outshined the silly premise. Her ability to maintain dignity in a slapstick environment showcased her professionalism.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett played Dr. Amanda Waller in ‘Green Lantern’ (2011) and attempted to bring authority to a messy production. The film became infamous for its overuse of CGI and a weak script that failed to launch a franchise. Bassett delivered her lines with her signature intensity and made her brief screen time memorable. She treated the comic book material with the seriousness of a Shakespearean drama. Her talent was largely wasted on a character that the screenplay barely bothered to develop.

Tessa Thompson

The reboot sequel ‘Men in Black: International’ (2019) struggled to capture the charm of the original trilogy. Tessa Thompson played a rookie agent and served as the primary driving force of the narrative. She had excellent chemistry with her co-star but the script gave them very little comedy or excitement to work with. Thompson remained charming and engaged throughout the runtime despite the lethargic pacing. She proved she could lead a blockbuster even when the blockbuster itself was forgettable.

Janelle Monáe

The horror film ‘Antebellum’ (2020) featured a high-concept twist that polarized critics and audiences alike. Janelle Monáe took on a dual role that required immense emotional and physical stamina. She navigated the controversial subject matter with a grace and intensity that the heavy-handed script did not deserve. Her performance anchored the film and provided a necessary emotional core to the shocking imagery. Monáe demonstrated her range as a dramatic actress even as the storytelling faltered around her.

Jennifer Hudson

The film adaptation of the musical ‘Cats’ (2019) became a critical and commercial disaster due to its uncanny visual effects. Jennifer Hudson played Grizabella and was tasked with delivering the show’s most iconic song. She poured genuine emotion into her performance and cried real tears while singing amidst the digital chaos. Her rendition of the musical number stood out as the only moment of true feeling in a bizarre production. Hudson reminded everyone of her vocal powerhouse status despite the distracting cat fur CGI.

Naomie Harris

In the action thriller ‘Black and Blue’ (2019), Naomie Harris played a rookie police officer who captures a crime on her body cam. The plot followed a standard chase formula that offered few surprises for fans of the genre. Harris brought a frantic and desperate energy to the role that elevated the tension significantly. She committed physically to the grueling action scenes and made the peril feel real. Her performance turned a generic police corruption movie into a watchable survival story.

Sanaa Lathan

The thriller ‘The Perfect Guy’ (2015) relied on standard tropes about a charming boyfriend who turns out to be dangerous. Sanaa Lathan played the lead and had to navigate a script filled with logical inconsistencies and predictable scares. She managed to make her character feel intelligent and capable despite the horror movie decisions written for her. Lathan shared strong chemistry with her co-stars and sold the fear factor effectively. She elevated a Lifetime-style movie into a theatrical box office success.

Meagan Good

The psychological thriller ‘The Intruder’ (2019) featured a couple buying a house from a man who refuses to let go of the property. Meagan Good played the wife who initially sympathizes with the villain before realizing the danger. The movie was campy and often unintentionally funny but Good played it completely straight. Her terrified reactions and emotional vulnerability grounded the absurdity of the third act. She provided the necessary empathy that kept the audience rooting for the protagonists.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

The sci-fi mystery ‘The Cloverfield Paradox’ (2018) suffered from a confused production history and a disjointed script. Gugu Mbatha-Raw played a communications officer grieving her children while trapped on a space station. She delivered a heartbreaking performance that felt like it belonged in a much better drama. Her emotional arc was the only cohesive thread in a movie filled with random sci-fi events. Mbatha-Raw proved she could command the screen amidst narrative chaos and special effects.

Paula Patton

The romantic comedy ‘Baggage Claim’ (2013) tasked Paula Patton with flying across the country to find a fiancé in thirty days. The premise was thin and the situations were often contrived and unbelievable. Patton used her charm and comedic timing to make the desperate protagonist likable rather than pathetic. She shared the screen with a large ensemble cast but remained the clear focal point. Her energy kept the film moving even when the jokes did not land.

Zoe Saldaña

Zoe Saldana took the lead in the action film ‘Colombiana’ (2011) as an assassin seeking revenge for her parents. Critics praised her action skills and physical dedication while panning the editing and the script. She performed many of her own stunts and brought a silent intensity to the character. The movie lacked narrative depth but Saldana made the action sequences visually arresting. She proved her capability as a solo action star outside of ensemble franchises.

Gabrielle Union

In the home invasion thriller ‘Breaking In’ (2018), Gabrielle Union played a mother fighting to save her children from burglars. The film was a straightforward action movie with little innovation in the genre. Union brought a fierce physicality and maternal rage that made the stakes feel incredibly high. She transformed a standard B-movie script into a showcase for her toughness and determination. Her performance convinced the audience that she was an unstoppable force.

Thandiwe Newton

The comedy ‘Norbit’ (2007) is widely considered one of the lowest points in Eddie Murphy’s filmography due to its crude humor. Thandiwe Newton played the love interest and maintained a sweet and grounded presence amidst the prosthetics and slapstick. She approached the role with sincerity that contrasted sharply with the cartoonish nature of the rest of the film. Newton managed to be charming and likable despite the offensive material surrounding her character. She provided a necessary anchor of reality in a movie that often defied it.

Keke Palmer

The historical thriller ‘Alice’ (2022) attempted to blend blaxploitation elements with a slavery narrative but failed to find a consistent tone. Keke Palmer gave a dedicated performance as a woman discovering the modern world after escaping a plantation. She navigated the jarring shifts in the script with impressive emotional agility. Palmer brought strength and confusion to the character in equal measure. Her commitment was the only thing that kept the high-concept premise from falling apart completely.

Rosario Dawson

The sci-fi comedy ‘The Adventures of Pluto Nash’ (2002) is historically cited as a massive box office bomb. Rosario Dawson played the female lead and brought energy and beauty to the sterile futuristic sets. She committed to the world-building and tried to create chemistry with Eddie Murphy despite the flat dialogue. Dawson managed to escape the film’s failure with her reputation intact because she remained professional on screen. She was a bright spot in a movie that looked expensive but felt empty.

Kerry Washington

The comedy ‘Little Man’ (2006) used digital effects to put a grown man’s head on a toddler’s body. Kerry Washington played the wife who unknowingly adopts the criminal disguised as a child. The premise was ridiculous and the humor was often lowbrow but Washington played her role with total commitment. She reacted to the absurdity with a straight face that actually enhanced the few laughs the movie offered. Her ability to act alongside the bizarre special effects showed her technical patience.

Jada Pinkett Smith

The remake of ‘The Women’ (2008) featured an all-female cast but received negative reviews for being shallow compared to the original. Jada Pinkett Smith played a writer and brought a distinct zest and style to the ensemble. She managed to deliver her lines with a snappy wit that the screenplay struggled to maintain elsewhere. Pinkett Smith stood out by infusing her character with a modern edge. She remained a dynamic presence even when the movie focused on outdated stereotypes.

Sophie Okonedo

In the sci-fi disaster film ‘After Earth’ (2013), Sophie Okonedo played the wife and mother of the main characters. The film was criticized for its dull acting and nepotistic casting but Okonedo delivered a solid dramatic performance. She appeared mostly on screens communicating with the leads but conveyed genuine worry and love. Her scenes offered a brief respite of emotional reality in a film that felt emotionally distant. She maximized her limited screen time to create a fully realized character.

Cynthia Erivo

The dystopian sci-fi film ‘Chaos Walking’ (2021) went through extensive reshoots and received mixed to negative reviews. Cynthia Erivo played the leader of a settlement and brought a menacing authority to the role. She commanded attention with her voice and posture in every scene she appeared in. The film suffered from world-building issues but Erivo felt like she belonged in a more coherent version of the story. She created an intriguing antagonist that the movie failed to utilize fully.

Nia Long

The thriller ‘Fatal Affair’ (2020) was a predictable entry in the obsession genre released on streaming. Nia Long played a woman terrorized by an old friend and carried the film with her relatable performance. She reacted to the escalating madness with a grounded fear that helped sell the suspense. Long has a natural screen warmth that made the audience care about her survival. She elevated the generic script simply by being a compelling lead actress.

Tiffany Haddish

The comedy ‘Like a Boss’ (2020) struggled to find a balance between raunchy humor and heartfelt friendship. Tiffany Haddish brought her signature high energy and improvisational style to the movie. She tried to inject life into scenes that were bogged down by a formulaic plot. Haddish shared decent chemistry with her co-star but the script let them both down. Her comedic timing remained sharp even when the jokes written on the page were dull.

Amandla Stenberg

The Young Adult adaptation ‘The Darkest Minds’ (2018) arrived late to the dystopian trend and felt derivative of other franchises. Amandla Stenberg played a teenager with powerful abilities and carried the emotional weight of the story. She brought a sense of vulnerability and strength that made her character easy to root for. Stenberg elevated the familiar teen romance and rebellion tropes through her expressive acting. She proved she could lead a franchise even if the studio failed to launch one.

Ruth Negga

The video game adaptation ‘Warcraft’ (2016) was visually dense but narratively impenetrable for general audiences. Ruth Negga played Lady Taria and brought a regal and human element to the fantasy setting. She acted against green screens and CGI characters with total conviction and grace. Negga managed to make the political drama of the film feel somewhat grounded. Her performance was a touch of class in a movie overwhelmed by digital noise.

Rashida Jones

The buddy cop comedy ‘Cop Out’ (2010) was panned for its lack of laughs and poor direction. Rashida Jones played the wife of one of the detectives and had to contend with a thankless role. She brought a natural charm and intelligence that contrasted with the bickering of the male leads. Jones managed to be funny and sweet despite being sidelined by the script. She made the most of her scenes in a movie that wasted a lot of talent.

Alfre Woodard

The horror prequel ‘Annabelle’ (2014) was a massive commercial success but received mixed reviews for its reliance on jump scares. Alfre Woodard played a neighbor who provides exposition and spiritual guidance to the protagonists. She brought a level of gravitas and dignity that the generic horror script desperately needed. Woodard treated the supernatural elements with a seriousness that made them feel more threatening. Her presence added a layer of class to a standard studio horror film.

Danai Gurira

The biopic ‘All Eyez on Me’ (2017) was criticized for its simplified storytelling and lack of depth regarding Tupac Shakur’s life. Danai Gurira played Afeni Shakur and delivered a powerful performance as the rapper’s activist mother. She captured the strength and complexity of the real-life figure despite the film’s superficial script. Gurira demanded attention in her scenes and provided the emotional context for the protagonist’s journey. She was the strongest acting component in a disappointing biographical drama.

Aaliyah

In the vampire film ‘Queen of the Damned’ (2002), Aaliyah played the ancient Queen Akasha. The movie was criticized for straying far from the source material and having a muddled plot. Aaliyah commanded every frame she was in with a hypnotic and regal presence. She used movement and a stylized delivery to create an iconic horror villain. Her performance remains the primary reason the film retains a cult following today.

Regina Hall

The surrogate thriller ‘When the Bough Breaks’ (2016) followed a predictable path that offered few surprises. Regina Hall played a woman desperate to have a child and brought deep emotional resonance to the role. She navigated the shift from hope to terror with a skilled dramatic performance. Hall proved she could handle serious thriller material just as well as comedy. She kept the film grounded in reality even as the antagonist became increasingly cartoonish.

Vivica A. Fox

The comedy ‘Boat Trip’ (2002) was critically reviled for its offensive humor and dated stereotypes. Vivica A. Fox played the tour operator and managed to stay above the fray of the bad jokes. She looked fantastic and delivered her lines with a professional snap that the rest of the cast lacked. Fox brought a sense of fun to her role without succumbing to the mean-spirited nature of the script. She was a reliable professional in a chaotic and ill-advised production.

Carmen Ejogo

The thriller ‘Alex Cross’ (2012) attempted to reboot the detective franchise as an action movie but failed with critics. Carmen Ejogo played the detective’s wife and brought warmth and stakes to the first half of the film. She created a believable and loving family dynamic that made the subsequent tragedy hit harder. Ejogo is a subtle actress who added depth to a character designed mainly as a plot device. She did her job perfectly in a movie that was otherwise miscast and misdirected.

Kimberly Elise

The Tyler Perry film ‘Diary of a Mad Black Woman’ (2005) received mixed reviews for its tonal shifts between slapstick and melodrama. Kimberly Elise played the lead role of Helen and delivered a raw and powerful dramatic performance. She anchored the film’s serious themes of abuse and recovery with incredible emotional range. Elise made the character’s journey compelling regardless of the critical reception of the film itself. She elevated the material and gave the story necessary weight.

Tika Sumpter

The action-comedy ‘Ride Along’ (2014) relied heavily on the loud banter between its two male leads. Tika Sumpter played the sister and fiancée stuck in the middle of the chaos. She held her own against the high-energy comedians and provided a necessary straight-man persona. Sumpter remained charming and integral to the plot even when the script sidelined her for car chases. She proved to be the glue that held the chaotic premise together.

Brandy Norwood

The horror sequel ‘I Still Know What You Did Last Summer’ (1998) was a critical disappointment compared to the original. Brandy played the roommate of the protagonist and brought a fun and energetic vibe to the slasher. She screamed and ran with the best of them while adding a unique personality to the victim roster. Brandy’s charisma made her character a fan favorite despite the silly plot twists. She remains a memorable part of 90s horror history because of her spirited performance.

Sharon Leal

The thriller ‘Addicted’ (2014) dealt with the subject of sex addiction in a way that critics found melodramatic and trashy. Sharon Leal played the lead character and committed fearlessly to the difficult material. She portrayed the destruction of her character’s life with a vulnerability that garnered sympathy. Leal bared her soul for the camera in a movie that often felt like a soap opera. Her brave performance deserved a more nuanced script.

Aja Naomi King

The remake of the French hit ‘The Upside’ (2017) was criticized for being formulaic and sentimental. Aja Naomi King played a supporting role as the assistant to the wealthy protagonist. She brought intelligence and spark to a character that could have easily faded into the background. King held the screen against heavyweights like Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart. She added a layer of competence and wit that enhanced every scene she was in.

Laverne Cox

The action film ‘Jolt’ (2021) featured a high-concept premise about anger management that resulted in mixed reviews. Laverne Cox played a detective trying to solve the central mystery alongside a skeptical partner. She brought a cool and cynical energy that fit the noir-lite tone of the movie perfectly. Cox made the expository dialogue sound interesting through her delivery. She was a stylish and engaging presence in a movie that struggled to find its footing.

Storm Reid

The fantasy adaptation ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ (2018) was visually spectacular but criticized for its pacing and narrative flow. Storm Reid played the lead character Meg Murry and anchored the massive production with genuine heart. She portrayed the insecurity and eventual courage of the character with great maturity. Reid held the audience’s attention even when surrounded by overwhelming special effects. She delivered a hero’s journey that was emotionally satisfying despite the film’s structural flaws.

Please share your thoughts on these performances in the comments.