Traditionally, the Oscar category for Best Supporting Actress is one of the first of the night. It’s a well-deserved award, of course, but we can’t help but notice that it’s also usually one of the least surprising. This year, however, the fight is tough. Between debuting actresses, Hollywood royalty and performers who have never been nominated. The fight is between Jodie Foster, America Ferrera and Da’Vine Joy Randolph.
Here we decided on one of them taking into account what is known so far. But let’s look at the possibilities of each of the Best Supporting Actress Oscar nominees so far.
Check out the full list of nominations and our analysis (with predictions) by category here.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Those who stay (CP Prediction)
With more than forty films under her belt and experience in theater, Da’Vine Joy Randolph arrives as the favorite for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Not only for the many awards she has won, but for her powerful performance in Those who staywhere she plays Mary, a cook who, along with Paul Giamatti and Dominic Sessa, are stranded at Christmas.
In favor: He has won all the key awards for this role, including the Golden Globe, Critics Choice, BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Against: The only rival that could snatch the award from him is America Ferrera, the cultural weight of the famous monologue could be the balance in this category.
Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer
Nolan is not exactly a specialist when it comes to directing female characters, but Blunt is certainly a happy exception. His character remains almost behind the scenes, but when he explodes he does so in a surprising way.
In favor: The strength of the winning wave Oppenheimer could almost reach Emily Blunt and thus give her her first Oscar in history.
Against: It is Emily Blunt’s first Oscar nomination. Furthermore, we must recognize something: Nolan does not know how to direct women, which certainly works against this nomination.
Danielle Brooks, The color purple
After the precedent of the original film and the multi-award-winning Broadway musical on which this film is based, it is a little surprising not to see more nominations for The color purple. However, Danielle Brooks managed to sneak into the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in the same role that earned her a Tony nomination in 2016. We suspect that here she will also only win the nomination.
In favor: The Oscar is won -in large part- thanks to the lobbying and relationships. Danielle has the power of Oprah and Spielberg as producers and her cachet as a Broadway star on her side. Could it be that her connections are enough to win the statuette?
Against: Many more nominations were expected for this film. Although it has not been a failure at the box office, its relevance remains to be seen. Maybe it’s already too late for him to win an Oscar.
America Ferrera, Barbie
Everyone says Barbie this, Ken that, but no one says that the most moving and disruptive moment in the Barbie movie is America Ferrera’s famous monologue. That moment alone was enough for him to be nominated, and rightly so.
In favor: The monologue in Barbieone of the most commented, celebrated and criticized moments of the film is executed with precision by America Ferrera who thus reaches her first Oscar nomination.
Against: Barbie She is not exactly this year’s favorite for the Academy, Ferrera is not the weakest link either but she has to face a monumental Da’Vine Joy Randolph.
Jodie Foster Nyad
Just like Diana Nyad, the woman who swam from Florida to Cuba, this is how this film comes, slowly but surely with two nominations for its tandem of actresses, who are nothing but the soul of the film.
In favor: It’s Jodie Foster, acting, Hollywood and Oscar royalty.
Against: Foster already has two statuettes for Best Actress on the shelf in her home (Accused in 1989 and The Silence of the Lambs in 1992) and three nominations. Although this is her second Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress (her first was for Taxi Driver), it is most likely that the Academy will go for one of its category colleagues.
Alejandro Alemán Film critic with 16 years of experience. Co-founder of Filmsteria! He currently writes for Eje Central, El Universal and Cinepremiere. He became a fan of the vodka martini because of 007.