The 20 Best Child Performances Of The Century So Far

This week sees the opening of two very different films—Lenny Abrahamson's "Room" (our review) and Cary Fukunaga's "Beasts of No Nation" (our review)— that are linked by one crucial element: they both revolve around performances by children. Jacob Tremblay has received nothing but the most effusive praise for his portrayal of a boy raised in captivity in the Toronto International Film Festival Audience Award winner "Room," while Abraham Attah received the Venice Film Festival Best Young Actor Award for his magnetic and disturbing turn in 'Beasts,' and gained probably the biggest, most heartfelt ovation of the festival. As risky as it can be to hang your film on a juvenile performance, this week proves that it can pay off handsomely if you cast the right child.

Part of the added interest that casting a child brings is due directly to their youth and untested nature —there is a freshness that more experienced performers can lose, and if a child...