Rows of Academy Awards Source: Tribune Content Agency
With the 2024 Oscars quickly approaching, fans are reviewing nominees with a discerning eye to predict who will win big at the March 10 ceremony. To throw my hat in the ring, here are my winner predictions for the “Big Five” awards along with a few categories that deserve further consideration.
Best Supporting Actor: Ryan Gosling (“Barbie”)
Following the controversy of the Oscar nominations snubbing Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig, the Academy will likely feel compelled to throw “Barbie” a bone.
While the summer blockbuster stands a good chance to win the Original Song category, Gosling’s performance as Ken is the only shot the film has at a “main” award.
Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey Jr. both deliver fantastic performances in their respective films, but I predict Gosling will take the Oscar home to avoid further backlash from “Barbie” fans.
Best Actor: Cillian Murphy (“Oppenheimer”)
Despite this being Cillian Murphy’s first nomination, his title role in “Oppenheimer” will probably secure him the win.
Beyond the film being a massive success commercially and critically, Murphy gave a masterful and memorable performance.
While Bradley “It’s an honor just to be nominated” Cooper is now sitting at a 0-9 record, I don’t think his portrayal of Leonard Bernstein is enough to take home the award.
Best Supporting Actress: Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“The Holdovers”)
Though I did my best to remain objective for most of this list, I see no nominee in any category as deserving of the win as Da’Vine Joy Randolph.
Thus far this season, Randolph seems to be sweeping the supporting actress category at most major award ceremonies, and rightfully so. Her performance as Mary Lamb is subtle, grounded, and devastatingly authentic.
I’m not one to pitch a fit over an actor winning or losing an award, but if Randolph doesn’t take home the Oscar, I may need to download X.
Best Actress: Lily Gladstone (“Killers of the Flower Moon”) or Emma Stone (“Poor Things”)
For Best Actress, I see two possible routes for the Academy to take.
On one hand, Gladstone’s skill was so captivating that Martin Scorsese reworked the story to include more of her character. Additionally, Gladstone would be the first indigenous woman to ever win an Academy Award for acting.
That said, “Poor Things” seems to be taking critics by storm. Should the Academy want to center the show around Yorgos Lanthimos’ sci-fi comedy instead of Christopher Nolan’s thriller, I foresee Stone taking home her second Oscar.
Best Director: Christopher Nolan (“Oppenheimer”)
There’s not much to say about the directorial nominees. There are many categories where “Oppenheimer” may or may not win, but this Oscar is practically in Nolan’s hands already.
Best Adapted Screenplay: “Oppenheimer” or “Poor Things”
American Prometheus versus a retelling of the Modern Prometheus. This is a theme that underscores most of the main awards.
While “Poor Things” was, in my opinion, a miserable translation of the source material, critics appear to value the vision of the film so much that they ignore the content.
Still, I believe “Oppenheimer” will edge out the competition for adapted screenplay. Nolan’s story about Robert Pattinson inspiring the film by gifting him a book of Oppenheimer’s speeches is too serendipitous to not be rewarded.
Best Original Screenplay: “Anatomy of a Fall” or “Maestro”
For the originals, I think an underdog will win.
While I’d love to see “The Holdovers” take every Oscar home, my money’s on “Anatomy of a Fall” or “Maestro.” Neither have a real shot at Best Picture, but both have a good narrative for winning this award.
This category could be where the Academy finally takes pity on Bradley Cooper, giving him a win so he doesn’t reach 0-12.
Conversely, “Anatomy of a Fall” is an international hit that could effectively revive the legal drama genre.
Either script would make an acceptable winner, but I have a small feeling that the Oscars might want to reward a foreign film this year.
Best Picture: “Oppenheimer” or “Poor Things”
Unless there’s a significant upset out of left field, I think Best Picture is a two-horse race.
The Academy could give the win to “Poor Things” simply to break up the onslaught of victories for Nolen, et al., or they could follow the trend set by most critics of celebrating “Oppenheimer” as one of the best films of all time.
Regardless of who wins, the past year has been a big one for film. Some of the greatest stories of 2023 were not nominated or likely will not win. Still, the effort that goes into any movie is worthy and deserving of recognition.
The 96th Academy Awards will air on March 10, 2024, on ABC.
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