Arriving on the cusp of the Great Recession, Wendy and Lucy struck a nerve with its stylistically subdued but emotionally powerful look at how American society lets some of its citizens fall by the wayside. And in the title role, indie queen Michelle Williams earned every rave she got.

Kelly Reichardt’s Montana anthology was a breakout moment for rising star Lily Gladstone. Shining next to a trifecta of illustrious talent—Laura Dern, Kristen Stewart, Michelle Williams—the quietly assured actor stole our hearts as a lovelorn rancher at the tailend of this profoundly moving film.