beast (michael pearce, 2017)

Sometimes it feels like every time Jessie Buckley makes a movie, people say it's a star-making performance. Beast was one of her first features, and she is terrific as always. But that was seven years ago, and for me, she has long ago reached the level of a star. Not all of her movies are great, but she is always great in them. (And don't forget her great turn on that season of Fargo.)

Beast is a good one, not quite by-the-book genre work, with Buckley the best thing about it. I wouldn't start here if I wanted to introduce myself to her ... Wild Rose is the best example of what she can do, and Women Talking is far and away the best movie she has been in. But once you fall for her, Beast will satisfy.