26 Mar Final 2022 Oscar Predictions: Acting Categories
BEST ACTOR
After watching The Power of the Dog, I was sure Benedict Cumberbatch was going to win this. I even thought that Will Smith could take GG, CCA, and SAG, but if Cumberbatch at least BAFTA he would win. Well, Will Smith has swept all the precursors and while Cumberbatch still has a chance to steal, it seems to be Smith’s moment.
Nominees:
Will Smith – King Richard – GG, CCA, SAG, BAFTA
Benedict Cumberbatch – The Power of the Dog
Andrew Garfield – tick, tick…BOOM!
Denzel Washington – The Tragedy of Macbeth
Javier Bardem – Being the Ricardos
Pick: Will Smith – King Richard
BEST ACTRESS
Jessica Chastain, Nicole Kidman, and Kristen Stewart are all the leads of biopics and, as a result, will likely split votes. Among the three, Chastain seems to have the edge since she didn’t have the uncanny-valley makeup of Kidman or the inaccessible-to-some film that Stewart had. As a result of this vote-splitting, Penelope Cruz and/or Olivia Colman could benefit. Cruz seems to have the most passion behind her performance but I’m still unsure about whether enough people saw the film. I’m going to go with precursor leader Chastain though anyone, most likely Cruz or Stewart, can steal.
Nominees:
Jessica Chastain – The Eyes of Tammy Faye – CCA, SAG
Penelope Cruz – Parallel Mothers
Kristen Stewart – Spencer
Nicole Kidman – Being the Ricardos – GG
Olivia Colman – The Lost Daughter
Pick: Jessica Chastain – The Eyes of Tammy Faye
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
2021 – Daniel Kaluuya – GG, BAFTA, SAG, CCA
2020 – Brad Pitt – GG, BAFTA, SAG, CCA
2019 – Mahershala Ali – GG, BAFTA, SAG, CCA
2018 – Sam Rockwell – GG, BAFTA, SAG, CCA
2017 – Mahershala Ali – SAG, CCA
2016 – Mark Rylance – BAFTA
2015 – JK Simmons – GG, BAFTA, SAG, CCA
Troy Kotsur has so much love right now and he has won three of the four major precursors in this category. Even if CODA doesn’t win Picture, Kotsur should take this though I don’t see CODA becoming our Picture winner without Kotsur first taking this.
Nominees:
Troy Kotsur – CODA – CCA, SAG, BAFTA
Kodi Smit-McPhee – The Power of the Dog – GG
Ciaran Hinds – Belfast
Jesse Plemons – The Power of the Dog
J.K. Simmons – Being the Ricardos
Pick: Troy Kotsur – CODA
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Ariana DeBose has swept this category so this really should be a no-brainer. However, Kirsten Dunst is beloved by so many and there does seem to be a semblance of a campaign to have the overdue Dunst win on her first nomination. However, I am personally going to stick with DeBose, who’s win in a musical reminds me of when Jennifer Hudson won for Dreamgirls.
Nominees:
Ariana DeBose – West Side Story – GG, CCA, SAG, BAFTA
Kirsten Dunst – The Power of the Dog
Aunjanue Ellis – King Richard
Judi Dench – Belfast
Jessie Buckley – The Lost Daughter
Pick: Ariana DeBose – West Side Story