Few actors in Hollywood history have built a repertoire quite like Lupita Nyong’o. Bursting onto the scene in 2013 just after graduating Yale School of Drama, Nyong’o’s feature film debut in 12 Years a Slave earned the actress her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Since then, her filmography has followed a similar trajectory—embodying a true sense of quality over quantity in an industry that so often requires actors to settle for the opposite.
To date, Nyong’o has appeared in 12 feature films. (Soon to be 13 with the release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.) And nearly every one of her roles seems to bring something entirely new to the table. From her chilling lead performance(s) as horrifying doppelgängers in Jordan Peele’s Us, to her CGI voiceovers in blockbusters like Star Wars and The Jungle, and even offbeat indies like the zombie comedy Little Monsters, Nyong’o has made her mark across a variety of genres. In her latest performance, reprising the role of Nakia in Wakanda Forever, Nyong’o will step up as a core member of the powerful project following the death of lead actor Chadwick Boseman.
So, if you’re planning a Black Panther rewatch in preparation for the sequel’s premiere, might we recommend pairing it with a Nyong’o marathon? While her varied performances are nearly impossible to rank, we’ve compiled some of her best over the years.
Nyong’o’s role as Nakia in Black Panther is not just your typical superhero love interest. With her own powerful backstory of humanitarian missions as a member of the War Dogs, Nakia’s moral compass is nuanced—and not always perfectly in line with Wakanda’s plans. Nyong’o’s onscreen chemistry with the late Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa is especially powerful. The duo’s companionship is clearly much greater than romance, as they each push one another to their greatest potential.
Nyong’o’s debut—and Oscar-winning—performance in Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave is still one of the actor’s most impactful performances to date. Based on Solomon Northup’s memoir of the same name, the film serves as biography for Northup, a free Black man and violinist who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841. Nyong’o plays Patsey, a real woman in Northup’s memoir who is a close friend to Northup and a frequent victim of abuse by the plantation owner and his wife. Nyong’o’s portrayal of Patsey is a deeply dedicated one, and she has since spoken on the demanding process of stepping into the role.
If you’re looking to truly witness the talent of Nyong’o, look no further than Jordan Peele’s acclaimed horror film Us. The film sees Nyong’o star as Adelaide, a mother whose family vacation takes a significant detour when they encounter their own twisted, sinister doppelgängers. Centering the film, Nyong’o’s dual performance as Adelaide and her doppelgänger is a true tour de force, as she seamlessly navigates between their disturbing contrasts.
Based on the true story of chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi, Queen of Katwe is much deeper than its feel-good logline might suggest. And a large part of this is thanks to Nyong’o’s depiction of Mutesi’s mother, Nakku Harriet. As the world of chess opens doors for Phiona, Nyong’o’s performance as Harriet offers a grounding reminder of what this might mean for her family.
5
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Serving as the introduction of the character Maz Kanata to the Star Wars franchise, Nyong’o’s portrayal of Maz in The Force Awakens is arguably the best of Maz. This is not only due to the fact that Maz gets significantly more airtime then The Last Jedi. In fact, one of the greatest aspects of the character is the Nyong’o’s motion-capture performance. Serving as a key companion to Rey, Nyong’o’s portrayal of Maz tactfully captures the character’s blend of humor, grit, and Force-sensitive wisdom.
Sure, the 2019 kindergarten-field-trip-turned-zombie invasion horror-comedy Little Monsters isn’t exactly par for Nyong’o’s course. But, seeing Nyong’o lean into the campiness of her role as kindergarten teacher Miss Caroline, this feels like a conscious choice by the actress to mix things up. Nyong’o’s character serves as the heroine of the film, which sees her defend her class of kindergarteners from a zombie takeover by convincing them that their survival tactics are a game. At least watch it to see Nyong’o play ukulele.
Whether you’re a Walt Disney purist or live-action fanatic, there’s no denying that Jon Favreau’s 2016 remake of The Jungle Book is a true feat. Nyong’o lends her voice to Raksha, a mother wolf who takes in Mowgli as her own cub. In the adaptation, Raksha becomes significantly more involved in the storyline—and it’s hard to believe this wasn’t in part due to Nyong’o’s performance. Her vocal performance alone adds a keen layer of depth and sensitivity to Mowgli’s family storyline, and Nyong’o certainly doesn’t pull back on her dramatic chops for the family film.
8
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
After a fairly brief cameo as Maz Kanata in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker sees Nyong’o reprise her role as the “pirate queen” with a bit more airtime. Many Star Wars fans might have some choice words about The Rise of Skywalker itself, but it solidifies Maz’s arc as a key player in The Resistance.
