Hollywood actors are usually all about that fancy lifestyle of groundbreaking box office income, expensive mansions, fast cars, and out-of-the-box purchases. The decades of dedication to acting always pays handsomely, and it's common for them to pocket a few million when their films hit the screen. Business Insider quoted The Hollywood Reporter's estimation that an A-list movie star usually makes around $15 million to $20 million per top role.
However, some of Hollywood's brightest stars still do not hesitate to act in an indie film. Although the money is not always the biggest selling point, some of these indie films managed to either resurrect the actor's career, be one of the best films released in a year, or win a few awards. To sum it up, from Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk to Scarlett Johansson in Marriage Story, here's a look at top actors who star in indie films and what they're all about.
8 Bob Odenkirk Starred In Worlds Apart
The man of many characters, Bob Odenkirk scored a phenomenal goodbye in the latest season of Better Call Saul, despite the controversial Emmy snubs. After the series ended this summer, the actor, who also played Hutch Mansell in John Wick's potential crossover universe Nobody last year, starred in the Italian film Worlds Apart.
Set during the lockdown time of COVID-19, the film tells the story of three couples whose life about to change during the period.
7 Nicolas Cage Starred In Pigs
Nicolas Cage was once (and still is) an A-lister when it comes to big box office films, but a string of bad financial decisions and dry movie offers left the actor with no choice but to star in a few terrible films back in the late 2010s.
He eventually got back on his feet with Pigs in 2021 and reminded everyone that he's still a star. It's easily one of the best roles he's ever landed in recent years, which tells the story of a truffle-hunter in search of his beloved, aging pig in Oregon's jungle.
6 Adam Sandler Starred In Uncut Gems
Hailed as one of the best films of the year by the National Board of Review, it's easy to see why Adam Sandler's Uncut Gems (A24) deserves that spot. The crime-thriller flick is the peak of the comedian's career that announces his comeback as a respected actor. It tells the story of a jeweler and gambling addict, who's on the verge of losing his life due to unpaid debts, and his dangerous journey to retrieve an expensive gem.
5 James Franco Starred In Spring Breakers
Despite its lackluster reception from the critics, Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers was an enjoyable 94-minute ride of a rebellious spring break vacation gone wrong. Starring the likes of James Franco, Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, Gucci Mane, Ashley Benson, and Rachel Korine, Spring Breakers is a potential cult classic that touches on how far one can self-destruct in highly structured cinematic moments. Publications like BBC Magazine, Little White Lies, and more have placed the film in their "best of" lists, and it's easy to see why.
4 Daniel Kaluuya Starred In Get Out
After a successful television career, Jordan Peele burst onto the scene of filmmaking with his directorial indie horror debut in Get Out. A refreshing social thriller of its kind, Get Out tells the story of a young interracial couple (played by Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams) in a deadly getaway that sees a series of eerie discoveries.
Get Out won Best Feature at the 2018 Film Independent Spirit Awards and landed the Best International Independent Film at the British Indie Film Awards alongside The Square and Loveless.
3 Scarlett Johansson Starred In Marriage Story
In Marriage Story, Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver are a dysfunctional couple on the brink of a divorce. Both actors portrayed their characters perfectly in this beautifully tragic story, which ended up gaining six nominations for the Oscar including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress. Commercially speaking, it was only released in limited selected theatres, which probably explains why it "only" made $2.3 million out of its $18 million budget.
2 Casey Affleck Starred In Manchester By The Sea
Manchester by the Sea, on the other hand, is a psychological drama that deals with the heavy themes of PTSD and depression. Starring Casey Affleck, who's famously starred in the Ocean's Eleven trilogies, Manchester by the Sea tells the story of a man who's grieving following the death of his brother and his children. He took home the prizes at the Critics' Choice Movie Award, the Golden Globe, and the Oscar for Best Actor.
1 Saoirse Ronan Starred In Lady Bird
Saoirse Ronan and Greta Gerwig's Lady Bird held the record of 99% "certified fresh" at Rotten Tomatoes, becoming one of the few films to ever reach the milestone. The film is not just a regular high school-centered flick - in fact, it gives an honest glimpse of parents' and children's relationship, winning two Golden Globe Awards for Best Motion Picture and Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy in process.