Amy Adams is having an amazing year. The five-time Oscar nominee is getting rave reviews and lots of awards buzz for two of her upcoming films, “Arrival” and “Nocturnal Animals.” The former sees her playing a renowned linguist, the latter an unhappy art dealer. Adams spoke with The Los Angeles Times about both of the meaty roles, and offered an interesting take on how we perceive heroes.

“She’s not heroic in the traditional sense,” Adams said of Louise Banks, her “Arrival” character. “I love that she gets to rely on her intellect and instinct as opposed to brawn and bravery.” It’s true: Dr. Banks uses her education, problem-solving skills, and personal experiences to address the potential threat of alien takeover in the sci-fi film. She may not be heroic in the traditional sense — the sort of hero with bulging muscles and an ax to grind — but she’s fiercely intelligent, intuitive, and empathetic, and we’d certainly love to see more heroes like her on-screen. Adams revealed that prepared for the role “by studying linguistics and working with her acting coach on the film’s psychological underpinnings.”

Check out the full interview over at The LA Times. Adams discusses how she was able to get into the skin of her “Nocturnal Animals” character despite her negative initial impression of her, her desire to do a musical, and more.

Up next for Adams is HBO’s “Sharp Objects,” Marti Noxon’s adaptation of “Gone Girl” author Gillian Flynn’s 2006 novel of the same name. Adams will star in and executive produce the series, which is centered on a young Chicago-based reporter who was recently treated at a psych hospital for self-harm. She reluctantly returns to her tiny hometown, Wind Gap, Missouri, to cover the murder of two pre-teen girls.

“Arrival” hits theaters November 11, and you can catch “Nocturnal Animals” one week later.