2024 Oscar Predictions

Greetings, dear readers! Did you think I could possibly forget to post my 2024 Oscar predictions? I may not be sharing detailed reviews of everything I've seen this season, but believe me - I am watching. Pop your bubbly, dress in your finest loungewear and get ready for Sunday night - the best night of the year!

Best Picture

"American Fiction"
"Anatomy of a Fall"
"Barbie"
"The Holdovers"
"Killers of the Flower Moon"
"Maestro"
"Oppenheimer"
"Past Lives"
"Poor Things"
"The Zone of Interest"

Should Win: At the time of press, I have seen 80% of the nominated films (it used to be my goal to see all nominated films, but that was BS...Before Sloan). I quite enjoyed "Barbie" and "Poor Things" and was tickled to see 2 films with heavy comedic elements nominated, a rarity for the Academy. However, I think it's very safe to say that "Oppenheimer" will take the statue. It blew me away. The acting, the score, the editing, the set design...it was brilliant. If I was a betting woman, I would go all in on this one.

Will Win: "Oppenheimer".

Best Actor

Bradley Cooper, "Maestro"
Colman Domingo, "Rustin"
Paul Giamatti, "The Holdovers"
Cillian Murphy, "Oppenheimer"
Jeffrey Wright, "American Fiction"

Should Win: Before I saw Cillian Murphy and Paul Giamatti's performances, I was convinced that Bradley Cooper was finally going to win an Oscar (he has been nominated 12 times!!!) I didn't particularly care for "Maestro" but there was just so much hype surrounding the film, I figured it was his time. Then, Mr. Giamatti graced us with yet another quirky, heartfelt performance. The Academy loves to reward body of work, and while "The Holdovers" wasn't necessarily my favorite performance of Giamatti's, I can see things swinging in his direction. Who doesn't love Paul Giamatti? But THEN, Cillian Murphy with his electric eyes completely transformed into the role of J. Robert Oppenheimer and I was floored. He carries this massive motion picture on his shoulders with ease. 

Will Win: It's a toss-up but, Murphy.

Best Actress

Annette Bening, "Nyad"
Lily Gladstone, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Sandra Hüller, "Anatomy of a Fall"
Carey Mulligan, "Maestro"
Emma Stone, "Poor Things"

Should Win: If Emma Stone hadn't already won for "La La Land," I would say her performance in "Poor Things" is Oscar gold. I think once actors win a coveted statue, they're allowed more risks with the roles they take, and are perhaps offered more unique and daring parts. I thought Lily Gladstone did a beautiful job portraying an Osage woman on the verge of a physical and emotional breakdown. So it's clearly a race between the 2 of them.

Will Win: Gladstone.

Best Supporting Actor

Sterling K. Brown, "American Fiction"
Robert De Niro, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Robert Downey Jr., "Oppenheimer"
Ryan Gosling, "Barbie"
Mark Ruffalo, "Poor Things"

Should Win: I've always believed that the Supporting Actor/Actress Oscars should go to the actor/tress who made a scene or a movie better. They're not it much, but when they are in it, you perk up in your chair a bit. RDJ did this effortlessly in "Oppenheimer" and Ryan Gosling nailed this as Ken in "Barbie". Alas, the Academy REALLY hates to give out statues for comedies, and Hollywood REALLY loves a comeback story. While RDJ has "been back" for a while, this is his time. He was brilliant in "Oppenheimer". (I will also say, that as a huge fan of SKB, I am rooting for him even though I haven't seen "American Fiction" yet).

Will Win: RDJ.

Best Supporting Actress

Emily Blunt, "Oppenheimer"
Danielle Brooks, "The Color Purple"
America Ferrera, "Barbie"
Jodie Foster, "Nyad"
Da'Vine Joy Randolph, "The Holdovers"

Should Win: This one is tough. America Ferrera was great in "Barbie", and I'm a long-time fan of Emily Blunt. But I don't see either of them winning for these roles. I loved Da'Vine Joy Randolph on HBO's tragically delicious show "The Idol," but I didn't think "The Holdovers" was her best work. If previous award shows are any indication of the winner (and they usually are), it's Randolph's statue.

Will Win: Randolph.

Best Director

Jonathan Glazer, "The Zone of Interest"
Yorgos Lanthimos, "Poor Things"
Christopher Nolan, "Oppenheimer"
Martin Scorsese, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Justine Triet, "Anatomy of a Fall"

Should Win: Christopher Nolan has an unbelievable 8 nominations and no wins. It is 100% his time. "Oppenheimer" was a masterpiece. 

Will Win: Nolan.