2024 Oscar Predictions: Who Will Take Home the Gold?

The Best Picture category at the Academy Awards is one of the most prestigious and closely watched. The 2022 nominees represent diverse films, including dramas, comedies, and epics. Each nominated film brings unique qualities to the competition, making predicting the outcome difficult.

“The Power of the Dog,” directed by Jane Campion, is a critically acclaimed Western drama known for its storytelling and performances. Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast” is a coming-of-age story set during the Northern Ireland conflict, praised for its emotional depth. Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” has received recognition for its visual effects and world-building in the science fiction genre.

“CODA,” directed by Sian Heder, has gained attention for portraying a deaf family and their hearing daughter’s musical aspirations. The Japanese drama “Drive My Car,” directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, has been lauded for its introspective narrative and character development. These nominees represent a range of styles, themes, and cultural perspectives, reflecting the diversity of contemporary cinema.

Due to the quality and variety of the nominated films, the competition for the Best Picture award is expected to be highly competitive.

Key Takeaways

• “Nomadland” wins Best Picture at the Oscars 2021
• Chloé Zhao becomes the second woman and first woman of color to win Best Director for “Nomadland.”
• Anthony Hopkins wins Best Actor for his role in “The Father”
• Frances McDormand wins Best Actress for her performance in “Nomadland”
• Daniel Kaluuya wins Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Judas and the Black Messiah”
• Youn Yuh-Jung wins Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Minari”
• “Promising Young Woman” takes home the award for Best Original Screenplay

Best Director

The Best Director category at the Academy Awards is always a hotly contested one, as it recognizes the vision and skill of the filmmakers behind some of the year’s most acclaimed movies. This year’s nominees represent diverse talent, each bringing their unique style and perspective to the big screen. From seasoned veterans to up-and-coming talents, the competition for Best Director is fierce, with each nominee deserving recognition for their outstanding work.

One of the standout nominees in the Best Director category is Jane Campion for her work on “The Power of the Dog.” Campion’s masterful direction has been widely praised for its haunting beauty and emotional depth. Her ability to bring out powerful performances from her cast and create a visually stunning world has solidified her place as a top contender for the award. Another strong contender is Denis Villeneuve for his work on “Dune.” Villeneuve’s epic vision and meticulous attention to detail have earned him widespread acclaim, with many praising his ability to bring Frank Herbert’s iconic novel to life on the big screen.

Kenneth Branagh has also emerged as a frontrunner for the Best Director award for his work on “Belfast.” Branagh’s heartfelt storytelling and nostalgic charm have resonated with audiences and critics alike, making him a strong contender in this category. Sian Heder, director of “CODA,” has also received significant attention for her sensitive and authentic portrayal of a deaf family’s journey. Rounding out the list of nominees is Ryusuke Hamaguchi for his work on “Drive My Car.” Hamaguchi’s introspective and emotionally resonant direction has garnered praise from audiences and critics, solidifying his place as a top contender for the Best Director award.

Best Actor

The Best Actor category at the Academy Awards is always highly competitive, with some of the industry’s most talented performers vying for recognition. This year’s nominees represent a diverse range of talent, each delivering standout performances that have captivated audiences and critics alike. From intense dramas to lighthearted comedies, the nominees in this category have showcased their versatility and skill, making it difficult to predict who will come out on top.

One of the standout nominees in the Best Actor category is Benedict Cumberbatch for his powerful performance in “The Power of the Dog.” Cumberbatch’s portrayal of a complex and tormented character has been widely praised for its emotional depth and nuance. His ability to bring out his character’s inner turmoil has solidified his place as a top contender for the award. Another strong contender is Will Smith for his role in “King Richard.” Smith’s transformative performance as Richard Williams, the father of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams, has earned him widespread acclaim, with many praising his ability to capture the essence of his real-life counterpart.

Andrew Garfield has also emerged as a frontrunner for the Best Actor award for his role in “Tick, Tick… Boom!” Garfield’s passionate and charismatic portrayal of Jonathan Larson, the creator of the hit musical “Rent,” has resonated with audiences and critics alike, making him a strong contender in this category. Javier Bardem, nominated for his role in “Being the Ricardos,” has also received significant attention for his captivating portrayal of legendary actor and comedian Desi Arnaz.

Rounding out the list of nominees is Denzel Washington for his performance in “The Tragedy of Macbeth.” Washington’s commanding presence and powerful portrayal of the iconic Shakespearean character have garnered praise from audiences and critics, solidifying his place as a top contender for the Best Actor award.

Best Actress

The Best Actress category at the Academy Awards is always fiercely competitive, with some of the industry’s most talented performers vying for recognition. This year’s nominees represent a diverse range of talent, each delivering standout performances that have captivated audiences and critics alike. From powerful dramas to lighthearted comedies, the nominees in this category have showcased their versatility and skill, making it difficult to predict who will come out on top.

One of the standout nominees in the Best Actress category is Jessica Chastain for her transformative performance in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye.” Chastain’s portrayal of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker has been widely praised for its emotional depth and authenticity. Her ability to capture the complexities of her character has solidified her place as a top contender for the award. Another strong contender is Nicole Kidman for her role in “Being the Ricardos.” Kidman’s captivating portrayal of iconic actress Lucille Ball has earned her widespread acclaim, with many praising her ability to embody the legendary star.

Olivia Colman has also emerged as a frontrunner for the Best Actress award for her role in “The Lost Daughter.” Colman’s nuanced and emotionally resonant performance as a conflicted mother has resonated with audiences and critics alike, making her a strong contender in this category. Kristen Stewart, nominated for her role in “Spencer,” has also received significant attention for her mesmerizing portrayal of Princess Diana. Rounding out the list of nominees is Penélope Cruz for her performance in “Parallel Mothers.” Cruz’s powerful and moving portrayal of a single mother grappling with her past has garnered praise from audiences and critics, solidifying her place as a top contender for the Best Actress award.

Best Supporting Actor

The Best Supporting Actor category at the Academy Awards is always highly competitive, with some of the industry’s most talented performers vying for recognition. This year’s nominees represent a diverse range of talent, each delivering standout performances that have captivated audiences and critics alike. From intense dramas to lighthearted comedies, the nominees in this category have showcased their versatility and skill, making it difficult to predict who will come out on top.

One of the standout nominees in the Best Supporting Actor category is Troy Kotsur for his powerful performance in “CODA.” Kotsur’s portrayal of a deaf father navigating his daughter’s musical aspirations has been widely praised for its emotional depth and authenticity. His ability to bring out the complexities of his character has solidified his place as a top contender for the award. Another strong contender is Kodi Smit-McPhee for his role in “The Power of the Dog.” Smit-McPhee’s haunting portrayal of a young man caught in a web of manipulation and deceit has earned him widespread acclaim, with many praising his ability to convey vulnerability and resilience.

Ciarán Hinds has also emerged as a frontrunner for the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in “Belfast.” Hinds’ heartfelt performance as a loving grandfather navigating family dynamics amidst political turmoil has resonated with audiences and critics alike, making him a strong contender in this category. Jesse Plemons, nominated for his role in “The Power of the Dog,” has also received significant attention for his compelling portrayal of a conflicted character caught in a web of secrets and lies. Rounding out the list of nominees is J.K.

Simmons for his performance in “Being the Ricardos.” Simmons’ captivating portrayal of legendary actor William Frawley has garnered praise from audiences and critics, solidifying his place as a top contender for the Best Supporting Actor award.

Best Supporting Actress

The Best Supporting Actress category at the Academy Awards is always fiercely competitive, with some of the industry’s most talented performers vying for recognition. This year’s nominees represent a diverse range of talent, each delivering standout performances that have captivated audiences and critics alike. From powerful dramas to lighthearted comedies, the nominees in this category have showcased their versatility and skill, making it difficult to predict who will come out on top.

One of the standout nominees in the Best Supporting Actress category is Ariana DeBose for her captivating performance in “West Side Story.” DeBose’s portrayal of Anita, a fiery and resilient young woman, has been widely praised for its emotional depth and authenticity. Her ability to bring out the complexities of her character has solidified her place as a top contender for the award. Another strong contender is Kirsten Dunst for her role in “The Power of the Dog.” Dunst’s haunting portrayal of a woman trapped in an oppressive marriage has earned her widespread acclaim, with many praising her ability to convey vulnerability and strength.

Rita Moreno has also emerged as a frontrunner for the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in “West Side Story.” Moreno’s powerful performance as Valentina, an influential figure in Tony’s life, has resonated with audiences and critics alike, making her a strong contender in this category. Judi Dench, nominated for her role in “Belfast,” has also received significant attention for her heartfelt portrayal of a loving grandmother navigating family dynamics amidst political turmoil. Rounding out the list of nominees is Aunjanue Ellis for her performance in “King Richard.” Ellis’ captivating portrayal of Oracene Price, mother to tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams, has garnered praise from audiences and critics, solidifying her place as a top contender for the Best Supporting Actress award.

Best Original Screenplay

The Best Original Screenplay category at the Academy Awards recognizes some of cinema’s most innovative and thought-provoking storytelling. This year’s nominees represent diverse talent, each delivering standout scripts that have captivated audiences and critics alike. From powerful dramas to lighthearted comedies, the nominees in this category have showcased their creativity and skill, making it difficult to predict who will come out on top.

One of the standout nominees in the Best Original Screenplay category is Paul Thomas Anderson for his work on “Licorice Pizza.” Anderson’s script has been widely praised for its witty dialogue and nostalgic charm, capturing the essence of 1970s California with authenticity and humor. His ability to create compelling characters and engaging storytelling has solidified his position as a top award contender. Another strong contender is Kenneth Branagh for his script for “Belfast.” Branagh’s heartfelt storytelling and nostalgic charm have resonated with audiences and critics alike, making him a strong contender in this category.

Ryusuke Hamaguchi has also emerged as a frontrunner for the Best Original Screenplay award for his work on “Drive My Car.” Hamaguchi’s introspective script and emotionally resonant storytelling have garnered widespread acclaim, with many praising his ability to create richly layered characters and compelling narratives. Sian Heder, nominated for her “CODA” script, has also received significant attention for her sensitive and authentic portrayal of a deaf family’s journey. Rounding out the list of nominees is Adam McKay for his script for “Don’t Look Up.” McKay’s satirical take on climate change and media sensationalism has garnered praise from audiences and critics, solidifying his place as a top contender for the Best Original Screenplay award.

In conclusion, this year’s Academy Awards are shaping up to be an exciting celebration of talent and creativity in filmmaking. With such a diverse range of nominees across all categories, it’s clear that 2022 was a standout year for cinema. Whether it’s powerful performances, innovative storytelling, or breathtaking visuals, each nominee represents the best the film industry offers.

As we eagerly await Oscar night, it’s anyone’s guess which films and artists will win. Still, one thing is certain: this year’s awards ceremony is an unforgettable celebration of cinematic excellence.