This Collider piece ranks six standout film performances made since 1990, judging them by "total possession" of a role — acting so complete that it reshapes every scene and resists imitation. The author argues there's no single formula for greatness, since some roles demand disappearing into an ordinary person while others require reinventing an iconic character, but each entry here left a lasting mark on how audiences remember the film.

The performances discussed include Frances McDormand as pregnant police chief Marge Gunderson in "Fargo" (1996), whose folksy warmth masked sharp deductive skill and won her a Best Actress Oscar; Charlize Theron's transformation into serial killer Aileen Wuornos in "Monster" (2003), which paired a physical overhaul with a raw portrayal of desperation and self-delusion, also earning an Oscar; and Denzel Washington's turn as a corrupt cop in "Training Day," which brought him his second Academy Award and first Best Actor win. The full list of six performances continues beyond the excerpt provided.