There were plenty of standout characters who elevated the movies and shows they were in this year. Here are our favorites, and the actors who portrayed them. In no particular order!
Alien (James Franco), Spring Breakers
Love it or hate it, Spring Breakers delivered on its promise of being completely batshit. Is it the best film of the year, as John Waters asserted? Hardly. But Alien is truly something to behold, whether he's singing Britney Spears or ranting about his shorts. As always, James Franco is thoroughly committed to his work, and in this case, that means making Alien the most ridiculous caricature of real-life rapper Riff Raff imaginable. It's simultaneously the most likable and unlikable Franco has ever been. —Louis Peitzman
A24
BBC America
BBC America
