Nick Picks | Top 10 Breakout Stars of 2015

Welcome to Nick Picks, a regular column by Nick Spake. There are countless important questions regarding the current state of cinema and I’m here to answer them.

In 2015, a fresh batch of new faces lit up the silver screen along with several familiar faces that achieved another level of stardom. Today, we’re going to take a look at the top 10 breakout stars of the past year that we hope to see even more of come 2016.

10. Taron Egerton for Kingsman: The Secret Service

Colin Firth with Taron Egerton in Kingsman: The Secret Service.

Kingsman: The Secret Service found the perfect balance between old-school James Bond and new-aged James Bond. The same could be said about Taron Egerton’s performance, managing to be suave, gritty, charming, and badass all at the same time. The ship has probably sailed on Colin Firth becoming the next James Bond, but Egerton’s name should definitely be thrown into the hat. For now, we look forward to seeing what Egerton will bring to another iconic role in Robin Hood: Origins.

9. Shameik Moore for Dope

Shameik Moore in Dope.

Dope was one of the most overlooked moves of 2015 and Shameik Moore was easily among the year’s most overlooked breakout actors. In this dark comedy, Moore creates a character that’s as likable as he is cocky. Providing an identifiable voice for African American youth, he delivers an multi-layered performance in a highly entertaining coming of age story. Where Dope draped itself in retro 90’s culture, Moore’s next project, a TV series called The Get Down, will follow a group of teenagers in the late 70s.

8. Dakota Johnson for Fifty Shades of Grey

Dakota Johnson in Fifty Shades of Grey.

It’s a shame that Dakota Johnson’s big breakthrough role had to be for playing one of the 21st century’s worst female characters. While Anastasia Steele is a horrible lead, Johnson’s performance is surprisingly quite strong. She makes us empathize with this one-note character while also acknowledging how ridiculous the source material is, giving Fifty Shades of Grey some refreshing humor (well, intentional humor). Johnson probably isn’t too thrilled that she has to do two more of these things, but at least the publicity will likely help her to score better roles in movies like Black Mass. Plus, How to Be Single looks like it could be pretty funny.

7. Nat Wolff for Paper Towns

Cara Delevingne and Nat Wolff in Paper Towns

Following-up his memorable supporting role in The Fault in Our Stars, Nat Wolff made quite a few appearances on screen this year in Grandma and The Intern. He was really given a chance to stand out in Paper Towns, however, as an awkward high school senior who finally decides to live a little and track down his illusive crush (Cara Delevingne – also in a breakout role). In a fairly standard role, Wolff carries much of the film with his relatable portrayal, often reminiscent of a John Hughes protagonist. He’s an incredibly appealing young star, although he will be taking on a very different kind of role in the live-action adaptation of Death Note. 

6. Finn Wittrock for My All-American and The Big Short

Finn Wittrock in My All-American.

In American Horror Story: Freak Show, Finn Wittrock played an All-American psycho. In My All-American, he played an All-American football player. In addition to winning the audience over as Freddy Steinmark in that inspirational sports biopic, Wittrock also had a strong supporting role in The Big Short. Demonstrating great range as an actor on the big screen and the small screen, we can’t wait to see him star alongside Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in Damien Chazelle’s La La Land next year.

5. (Tie) Thomas Mann, RJ Cyler, and Olivia Cooke for Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Olivia Cooke, Thomas Mann, and RJ Cyler in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl was arguably 2015’s best movie about growing up. That can largely be attributed to the film’s three young leads, all of whom flawlessly juggle comedy, drama, and brutal honesty. They share remarkable chemistry together, putting an emphasis on friendship over romance. On the horizon, Mann is set to star in Kong: Skull Island, Cyler will be taking over as the Blue Ranger, and Cooke will return as Emma Decody in season four of Bates Motel.

4. Rebecca Ferguson for Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation

Tom Cruise and Rebecca Ferguson in Mission: Impossible: Rogue Nation.

The Mission: Impossible franchise hasn’t had a ton of very interesting female characters over the years. In Rogue Nation, however, Rebecca Ferguson completely stole the show and acted as a matchless foil for Tom Cruise as the mysterious Ilsa. Ferguson has several more films lined up in the years to come, not to mention a Golden Globe nomination for his work in The White Queen under her belt. We can only hope she’ll also be back for Mission: Impossible 6.

3. Amy Schumer for Trainwreck

Amy Schumer and Bill Hader in Trainwreck.

Amy Schumer cemented her place as one of the funniest people on the planet in 2015. Not only did Inside Amy Schumer win the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series, but Trainwreck also proved to be the most consistently hilarious movie of the year. At the center of the film was Schumer’s star-making lead performance and Oscar-worthy screenplay, revealing how women are dominating the comedy scene like never before.

2. Jacob Tremblay for Room

Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay in Room.

Seeing how Jacob Tremblay is only nine years old and has only appeared in a few films, it’s hard to say where his career will go. One thing’s for certain, though: his performance as Jack in Room is one of the most incredible acting feats ever demonstrated by a youth. 100% genuine in the role, Tremblay makes us all feel like we’re little kids experiencing the world for the first time.

1. Alicia Vikander for Ex Machina and The Danish Girl

Alicia Vikander and Eddie Redmayne in The Danish Girl.

There’s zero doubt that Alicia Vikander is the breakout performer of 2015. Between her transcendent work in Ex Machina and heartbreaking portrayal in The Danish Girl, Vikander seems like a shoo-in for a Best Supporting Actress nomination. Even in a flawed movie like The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Vikander owned every scene she was in with her captivating presence. It’s safe to say we’ll be seeing a lot more for her in the years to come.

Who do you think is this year’s breakout star?