Gerwig’s early indie performances ( Hannah Takes the Stairs , 2007; Greenberg , 2010) were graded as “awkwardly charming”—a backhanded compliment that infantilized her physicality. Reviews praised her “natural clumsiness” as authentic to the mumblecore aesthetic. When she transitioned to directing ( Lady Bird , 2017), critics retroactively regraded her acting as “intelligent” and “controlled.” This shift reveals how the grade is contingent on the actress’s off-screen agency.

A powerhouse performance let down slightly by an inconsistent script. Jenkins proves she has the raw talent to lead a major franchise, but here, she shines brightest in the quiet, desperate moments.

: Prominent figures who dominated the industry during its peak.