Melanie Lynskey Instagram – I had the good fortune of going to a screening of @originmovie at @arraynow the other day. The sweet man who checked me in passed me a box of tissues- I said thank you so much and took a couple and he said no, you’re going to want to keep the box. Was he ever right. The movie destroyed me. It’s not an easy watch emotionally, but the time flew by. I felt like I didn’t blink. It’s so masterfully constructed- wow you are incredible, Ava. You can see the confidence that you give every person working for you to make their own choices, while holding such a steady vision as the director, and that’s why everyone is working at the top of their game. That’s why people are so loyal to you. It’s beautiful to see how it all comes together. I know awards aren’t everything, but also, they are important. They change careers. They make it easier for people to greenlight other projects. They increase salaries. Every year there’s a performance or a few performances that go overlooked and it always feels crazy to me. This one, though. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor has always been magnificent- always brought the very depths of her soul to every role. But this is next level. This actor is excavating. It’s stunning. And beyond that, she’s playing a thinker, an intellectual, and she makes you FEEL every single idea she’s having. You do not doubt her brilliance. You’re captivated by watching someone write on a whiteboard. Do you have any idea how hard that is? She’s also so charming, so full of love, so real. This performance is nothing short of miraculous. That’s all. I hope people see it. It’s an amazing year for movies, it’s an incredible year for women in the movies, it’s so exciting. I’ve seen so many amazing things. But this performance deserves to be mentioned alongside all those others. Also- bonus best-ever Jon Bernthal (and that’s saying something because he’s so incredibly good always)