The 2015 RyMickey Awards - Best Younger Actor/Actress

For the purposes of this category, nominees must be under 21 years of age at the time of the film's release.  Placing in this category does not preclude placing in other acting categories.

Because of that stipulation above, I'm going to remove the fantastic Saoirse Ronan from Brooklyn from the equation.  She was likely 20 when filming Brooklyn, but the film was released over six months after her 21st birthday, so I drew the line.  Needless to say, she'll show up in a future list so I don't feel so bad.

Best Younger Actor/Actress of 2015
(SoN = Streaming on Netflix // SoA = Streaming on Amazon // SoH = Streaming on HBO)

Honorable Mentions
(in alphabetical order)
Asa Butterfield - A Brilliant Young Mind
Perla Haney-Jardine - Steve Jobs (SoH...starting Sept 24)
Jacob Lofland - Little Accidents (SoA)

And the Top Five Are...

#5 - Elias and Lucas Schwarz - Goodnight Mommy

Essentially a three-person film with twins Elias and Lucas Schwarz taking two of the spots, Goodnight Mommy is an ever-increasing tension-filled horror flick.  While the film itself has a few faults, none of them are due to Elias and Lucas in their first film who carry on the movie tradition of creepy blonde-haired kids wreaking havoc started way back when with The Bad Seed. (SoA)

#4 - Shameik Moore - Dope

The intriguing thing about all the nominees in this category this year is that they all were leads and, considering their age, they more than held their own against the perhaps more experienced actors around them.  Shameik Moore only appeared in one other film prior to Dope and that was as "Choir Master" in Joyful Noise so for him to take charge of this clever and engaging flick was perhaps not an easy task, but he does so imbuing his character with charisma and intelligence.  (SoN)

#3 - Taissa Farmiga - 6 Years

While not as famous as her older sister Vera, it's obvious that acting talent runs in the Farmiga family.  While I was familiar with the young Taissa from American Horror Story (I watched the two seasons she was in and have given up on all the rest, actually), 6 Years is her first starring role.  The film certainly doesn't have any bells and whistles, but rather anchors itself with its performances from Farmiga and co-star Ben Rosenfield who create a believable romantic relationship between a young couple attending college and the difficulties facing them when "adult life" begins to shift their plans.  Of all the people in the Top Five, Taissa is the only one I knew prior to 2015 and I look forward to seeing more of her in the future.  (Note:  Slight cheat with this one.  Taissa turned 21 the day after this film was released...I'm letting her eke her way in...) (SoN)

#2 - Abraham Attah - Beasts of No Nation

Already seen as one of the top Breakthrough Performers in this year's awards, Abraham Attah would've easily taken this award in any other year, but he was in the midst of some tough competition this year from the #1 seed.  Needless to say, second place indicates compelling greatness from Attah who captivates as he takes us on his character's difficult journey.  Attah's character often doesn't speak much, but so much is told through the young man's eyes -- eyes that have seen horrors that no one, let alone a child, should see. (SoN)

#1 - Jacob Tremblay - Room

How Jacob Tremblay didn't get nominated for an Oscar last year (and, quite frankly, win) is beyond me.  Creating a compelling character, Tremblay's youthful zest for curiosity is ever-present in his character of Jack from whose perspective Room is largely told.  I'd talk more of Tremblay's talent and his fantastic take on this role, but I'll hold off for now...this young guy's bound to show up in a future list...right? (SoA)

Previous RyMickey Award Winners
2014   ---   2013   ---   2012
2011   ---   2010   ---   2009