‘Black Bear’
Aubrey Plaza is currently winning raves (and causing many passionate arguments) thanks to her part in Happiest Season, but she ups her game considerably in Black Bear, giving one of the most bravura performances of the year (and of her fine career). In this film, Plaza plays a struggling actress-turned-director that ventures out to the woods on an artist’s retreat, of sorts. Her character is simultaneously seeking solace and craving adoration, and Plaza uses every emotional weapon in her arsenal to convey these competing, complex character traits. The story takes an unexpected turn —I’m hesitant to call it as a “twist,” but some have described it thusly— midway through the movie, which gives Plaza even more opportunities to show off her incredible range as an actress. If you loved Plaza’s work in the influencer thriller Ingrid Goes West, be sure and add Black Bear to your watchlist.