Indie films often rely on small casts; an actress must elevate others.

Swinton never gives the same performance twice. In Julia (2008), an obscure indie gem, she plays an alcoholic kidnapper. When you like this, you have to create a new scale. Her ability to shift from pathetic to terrifying in a single close-up is the definition of an "A+" indie performance. A good review would note: "Swinton does not seek your sympathy; she demands your terrified attention."

Forget the blockbuster yardstick. In independent cinema, an actress isn’t graded on how well she delivers a quip between explosions or hits her mark in front of a green screen. She’s graded on This guide will help you watch, review, and truly grade indie performances with a sharper, more appreciative eye.