Black Actors Who Carried Movies That Didn’t Deserve Them

Throughout Hollywood’s history, many incredibly talented actors have saved flawed movies with their charm and ability. Often, these films had poor writing or unclear direction, but were still enjoyable thanks to a strong lead performance. Here’s a look at Black male actors who gave exceptional performances in movies that didn’t quite live up to their skills.

Idris Elba

Many fans were disappointed with the movie adaptation of Stephen King’s ‘The Dark Tower.’ Idris Elba was a strong presence as Roland Deschain, successfully portraying the Gunslinger’s exhaustion and unwavering resolve, even though the film felt rushed. He kept the story grounded, despite distracting visual effects and changes from the book. Elba showed he could lead a big-budget franchise, even with a weak script.

Will Smith

Critics didn’t like ‘Suicide Squad,’ finding it confusing and tonally uneven. However, Will Smith’s performance as Deadshot was a highlight, bringing much-needed emotional depth to the film. He played the assassin with a compelling vulnerability, particularly in his relationship with his daughter, providing the movie’s most heartfelt moments. Smith’s charisma made the character surprisingly likable, despite his dangerous profession, and he was a standout performer in an otherwise disorganized superhero team-up.

Denzel Washington

I was really captivated by ‘The Book of Eli,’ even though it definitely wasn’t a light watch – it was quite serious and dealt with some big ideas. But what truly made it special for me was Denzel Washington. He was incredible as Eli, portraying a blind man with such strength and subtlety as he guarded this important book. The action scenes were fantastic, and he really committed physically to them, making everything feel so real. Even with all the spiritual elements, he brought a raw, believable quality to the role. Honestly, the movie sticks with me mostly because of his amazing presence on screen – he completely commanded every scene.

Michael B. Jordan

The 2015 ‘Fantastic Four’ movie wasn’t well-received by critics or audiences, largely because of problems during its production. Despite the film’s overall darkness and issues, Michael B. Jordan brought a lot of life and charm to his role as Johnny Storm. He worked hard to make his version of the Human Torch unique, even though the script didn’t give him much to work with. Jordan remained dedicated to the part even as the movie fell apart towards the end. Fortunately, his talent shone through, and his career continued to flourish afterwards despite this unsuccessful film.

Chadwick Boseman

‘21 Bridges’ was a typical police story that might have easily blended in with other films of its kind. However, Chadwick Boseman’s powerful and nuanced performance as an NYPD detective truly stood out. He added depth and intelligence to what was otherwise a fairly predictable character. His dedication to the physical demands of the role made the action scenes more exciting and meaningful. Ultimately, Boseman transformed a standard action movie into a demonstration of his captivating screen presence.

Eddie Murphy

Many consider ‘Norbit’ to be a weak comedy because it relies heavily on slapstick and jokes about weight. Despite this, Eddie Murphy put in a lot of effort, playing several different characters and showing off his skills as an actor. He was able to make the movie somewhat funny even though the story wasn’t great, thanks to his perfect timing and energetic performance. While the special effects were well-done, the film really depended on Murphy to keep viewers entertained. His commitment to the silly storyline showed how hard-working he is.

Samuel L. Jackson

Despite a lot of hype, the movie ‘Snakes on a Plane’ didn’t quite live up to expectations, given its silly premise. Samuel L. Jackson, however, perfectly understood the film’s tone and delivered a hilariously over-the-top performance. He created the movie’s most memorable scenes and kept things exciting when the action slowed down. While the film itself struggled to find its footing, Jackson fully embraced the ridiculousness of it all, and he’s largely responsible for the movie becoming a cult classic.

Jonathan Majors

‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ received mixed reviews, with some criticizing its busy visuals and confusing plot. However, Jonathan Majors’ performance as Kang the Conqueror was widely praised. He portrayed the villain with a frightening intensity and surprising depth, bringing a much-needed sense of danger and emotion to the film. Despite the movie’s overall issues, Majors dominated every scene and made Kang a compelling character, and his performance was considered the best part of an otherwise divisive Marvel film.

Jamie Foxx

‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ tried to do too much with its story and couldn’t decide on a consistent feel for its villains. Jamie Foxx gave a strong performance as Electro, convincingly portraying his transformation from a shy engineer into a furious villain. Even though the script didn’t always explain Electro’s actions well, Foxx worked hard to bring emotional complexity to the character. He made Electro stand out through his unique voice and physical presence, offering a highlight in a film that generally struggled to find its direction.

John Boyega

I really wanted to love ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising,’ but it just didn’t have the same feel as the first movie – it lacked that special something that made the original so great. Honestly, John Boyega was fantastic! He’s got so much charisma and totally carried the film as Jake Pentecost. He proved he can lead a big action movie, and even though the writing wasn’t always the best, he delivered his lines with a lot of wit and had great chemistry with everyone. Whenever the movie started to drag, Boyega’s energy as a Jaeger pilot was infectious and kept me entertained. He really tried his best to make the sequel feel worthwhile, and I appreciate that.

Wesley Snipes

Many fans consider ‘Blade: Trinity’ the worst of the three films, largely because of problems during production and a disappointing script. Wesley Snipes still delivered a strong performance as the famously cool and composed vampire hunter, bringing the action the series needed. While the movie added some frustrating new characters, Snipes remained the solid core of the franchise, even though it seemed the filmmakers were more focused on creating potential spin-off movies. Despite the troubled production, his fight scenes were still impressively energetic.

Forest Whitaker

‘Battlefield Earth’ is often called one of the worst films ever created, largely because of its confusing visuals and storyline. Despite the outlandish alien makeup, Forest Whitaker delivered a remarkably energetic and dedicated performance as Kerl. He brought a strong sense of professionalism to the set, which stood in stark contrast to the film’s over-the-top dialogue. Even though the story didn’t make much sense, Whitaker worked hard to find a believable motivation for his character, and his commitment shines through as a standout element in an otherwise disastrous movie.

Don Cheadle

‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ received criticism for feeling more like an advertisement for various brands and characters than a well-made film. While the movie itself wasn’t well-received, Don Cheadle stood out as the villain, Al-G Rhythm. He clearly enjoyed his role, bringing a lot of energy and personality to the performance. Cheadle seemed to be the only one embracing the film’s strange concept and obvious use of special effects, and his performance helped to liven up what many saw as a purely commercial product.

Morgan Freeman

‘Dreamcatcher’ is a strange science fiction horror movie that often shifts unexpectedly between dramatic moments and unintentional humor. Morgan Freeman played Colonel Abraham Curtis with his usual commanding presence and intensity. Despite some ridiculous lines, he delivered them convincingly and made the military aspects of the story feel believable. Freeman fully embraced the character’s quirks, from his unusual eyebrows to his forceful personality, and his talent as an actor helped lift the somewhat low-budget film.

Djimon Hounsou

The fantasy film ‘Seventh Son’ wasn’t very original and unfortunately didn’t do well in theaters, despite several delays. Djimon Hounsou stood out as a powerful and threatening supernatural assassin. Even with uninspired creature effects and costumes, he brought a strong physical presence to the role. Hounsou frequently improves even minor parts in big-budget films, and he did so again here, adding a much-needed sense of urgency and danger to the action sequences.

Lakeith Stanfield

The Netflix film version of ‘Death Note’ received a lot of criticism for changing the story too much from the original. However, Lakeith Stanfield stood out with a quirky and compelling performance as the detective L. He created a unique portrayal of the character, both honoring the original and adding his own spin. Stanfield was the most engaging part of the movie and created much-needed suspense in the central conflict. His daring and memorable acting choices were a highlight in a film that otherwise felt cautious.

Laurence Fishburne

While ‘Predators’ aimed to revive the sci-fi series, it wasn’t a big hit with viewers. Laurence Fishburne played a small but important role as Noland, a survivor who had been pushed to the brink by loneliness and constant threat. Fishburne brought a psychological depth to the action movie and enriched the world it created. Despite his limited screen time, his performance was more impactful than those of many of the film’s central characters.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Michael Bay’s ‘Ambulance’ was a non-stop, over-the-top action movie that asked viewers to simply go with the ride. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II delivered a compelling and heartfelt performance as a father and war veteran caught in a desperate situation, providing a much-needed emotional center to the film’s chaos. His strong chemistry with Jake Gyllenhaal and the internal conflict his character faced kept the story grounded. Even as the action became increasingly outlandish, Abdul-Mateen made audiences genuinely care about what happened to his character, demonstrating his ability to handle serious dramatic moments within a huge action blockbuster.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

The sci-fi action movie ‘Infinite’ didn’t impress many critics, who found its story overly complicated and the film itself generally uninspired. Chiwetel Ejiofor stood out as the villain, bringing a dark and believable energy to the role. Even though he had a lot of explaining to do, he delivered his lines convincingly and made the villain’s reasons clear. Ejiofor’s performance elevated the film, which otherwise felt like it could have gone straight to home video, and reminded audiences of his talent as an actor despite the movie being largely forgettable.

Terry Crews

Critics weren’t impressed with ‘White Chicks,’ finding it relied on crude jokes and a silly plot. However, Terry Crews consistently stood out as Latrell Spencer, the enamored basketball player. His perfect comedic timing and dedication to the physical comedy made even the most uncomfortable moments genuinely funny. Crews fully committed to the ridiculousness of his character, delivering a performance that became the most memorable and quotable part of the film, turning a supporting role into a fan favorite.

Chris Rock

The movie ‘Spiral,’ a spin-off of the ‘Saw’ series, combined the style of a police investigation with the franchise’s famously gruesome traps. Chris Rock played a detective hunting a killer targeting police officers, and he brought a world-weary, cynical edge to the role that matched the film’s dark atmosphere. Rock also tried to add social themes to the story, giving ‘Spiral’ a unique feel. Even when the plot became obvious, his performance kept the mystery interesting.

David Oyelowo

When ‘The Cloverfield Paradox’ unexpectedly appeared on streaming services, many viewers were puzzled by its story. David Oyelowo stood out as the strong and capable station commander, Kiel. He convincingly portrayed the fear and urgency of dealing with the strange sci-fi events, keeping the story grounded and relatable. Even as things became increasingly chaotic and illogical, Oyelowo’s performance ensured the audience still connected with the human side of the story, serving as its emotional center.

Tyrese Gibson

The movie ‘Morbius’ became a popular online joke because of its weak story and unconvincing special effects. Tyrese Gibson, who played the detective tracking the vampire, took his role very seriously. Despite limited material, he worked hard to make the police investigation feel engaging. Gibson delivered his typical energetic performance and fully embraced the film’s serious atmosphere, remaining dedicated and professional even as the movie struggled.

Ice Cube

‘Ghosts of Mars’ didn’t resonate with viewers or critics when it came out. Ice Cube played the villain, Desolation Williams, bringing his signature intensity to the role. He was the most engaging character in the film, effectively portraying a complex anti-hero. Despite some silly lines, Ice Cube delivered them with a tough edge, perfectly suiting the film’s blend of science fiction and western themes. He even made the movie’s frequent action scenes somewhat enjoyable.

Martin Lawrence

‘Black Knight’ is a comedy about a man completely out of his element, but the initial humor doesn’t last very long. Martin Lawrence carries the film with his energetic performance and relies on physical comedy. His modern reactions to the medieval world are the source of most of the laughs. He really tries to make even weak jokes funny through his personality, and the movie’s success depends on whether audiences find him charming in such a silly situation.

Brian Tyree Henry

The movie ‘Eternals’ received some criticism for being too long and not delivering the typical superhero thrills. However, Brian Tyree Henry stood out with a heartfelt performance as Phastos, the immortal inventor. He brought a lot of warmth and believability to the role, and notably played the first openly gay superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with sensitivity and real emotion. Henry made Phastos feel like a genuine person with a family that mattered, and his performance was a touching bright spot in a film that sometimes felt emotionally detached.

Sterling K. Brown

The 2018 film ‘The Predator’ tried to revitalize the series, but ended up feeling chaotic with its mix of comedy and complex backstory. Sterling K. Brown stood out as the villain, Traeger, bringing both intelligence and a threatening presence to the role. He excelled at delivering the film’s witty lines, and clearly enjoyed playing the bad guy. Brown consistently outshone the heroes, simply because his character was more engaging. He gave a fresh and interesting spin to what could have been a typical government agent.

Kevin Hart

Critics didn’t love ‘The Man from Toronto,’ finding it predictable and unoriginal. Kevin Hart played his usual role of a stressed-out, ordinary guy, and his energetic performance created a good on-screen connection with Woody Harrelson. Hart’s comedic timing and energy really drove the movie’s pace and prevented it from being a total drag.

Cuba Gooding Jr.

‘Snow Dogs’ is a lighthearted family comedy filled with silly physical humor and animals that seem to talk. Cuba Gooding Jr. really threw himself into the physical comedy, braving the cold weather to make audiences laugh. He played the character who’s out of his element with genuine sincerity, making him someone you root for. Gooding Jr. convincingly acted alongside both real animals and robotic creatures, bringing a surprising level of commitment to a movie designed for kids.

Delroy Lindo

‘The Core’ is a classic disaster movie, but it’s often criticized for its unrealistic science and over-the-top effects. Delroy Lindo stood out in the role of Dr. Ed Brazzelton, bringing both intelligence and gravitas to the part. He convincingly delivered the complicated scientific explanations and made the mission feel truly meaningful. Lindo also delivered the film’s most emotionally powerful moment with a selfless act that felt genuinely moving. He managed to make the somewhat silly story feel like a serious drama.

André 3000

The sports comedy ‘Semi-Pro’ sometimes feels disjointed, like a series of separate comedic bits instead of a unified film. André 3000 was perfectly cast as Clarence, a cool and confident inventor and basketball player. His calm demeanor provided a great balance to Will Ferrell’s more frantic energy. André 3000 brought a natural charm to the role, making Clarence instantly appealing, and proved he’s a skilled comedian even when playing the more reserved character.

Mahershala Ali

‘Alita: Battle Angel’ was visually stunning, but the story felt complicated and the performances weren’t always consistent. Mahershala Ali stood out as the villain, Vector, delivering a cool and genuinely threatening performance. Despite wearing potentially outlandish futuristic gear, he was convincingly intimidating. Ali skillfully portrayed both his character and the moments when he was controlled by the true villain, adding sophistication and a sense of danger to the film’s cyberpunk world.

Anthony Mackie

The Netflix movie ‘Outside the Wire’ offered a look at the future of warfare, though it wasn’t entirely successful. Anthony Mackie gave a compelling performance as Leo, a highly advanced android officer, balancing charisma with a tough edge. He was convincing both in the physically demanding action sequences and when delivering the film’s complex ideas about war and morality. Mackie skillfully revealed the surprising truth behind his character’s actions, and he effectively carried both the film’s philosophical themes and its exciting action moments.

Jeffrey Wright

I was really hoping the movie ‘The Goldfinch’ would live up to the book, but sadly, it just didn’t quite capture that same feeling. However, Jeffrey Wright as Hobie was absolutely wonderful. He brought such a gentle wisdom and quiet sadness to the role, and honestly, he felt like a safe haven for the main character. His performance was so tender and moving! In a film that many found cold, his scenes were the parts that really drew me in. He conveyed so much history and depth with just a look – it was truly masterful.

Omar Sy

Many critics felt ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ was too long and didn’t feature enough dinosaurs. Despite limited screen time, Omar Sy, returning as Barry Sembène, instantly brought energy and charm to the film. He confidently performed the action scenes in Malta like a star, and managed to stand out amongst the many returning characters. Audiences were left wanting to see more of his character in the story.

Share your thoughts on which of these performances impressed you the most in the comments.

2026-02-01 05:51