Best Actress in a Supporting Role
If there has been a common thread among the categories this year, it is the number of strong performances from newcomers and actors who have never seen much in the way of awards love getting Oscar buzz. That is probably the most true for the Best Supporting Actress category, which should give a few fresh faces some time in the spotlight.
This race could give tilt in the direction of Emma Stone (Birdman), Katherine Waterston (Inherent Vice) and Carmen Ejogo and Lorraine Toussaint (Selma). However, they will all have to show their worth out of dynamic ensemble casts. Meanwhile, Laura Dern (Wild) and Dorothy Atkinson (Mr. Turner), may be too overshadowed by their co-stars Reese Witherspoon and Timothy Spall, respectively, to make much of an impact in the race.
While the newcomers could make this an interesting category, especially on the foot of rookie actor Lupita N’yongo’s victory from 12 Years a Slave, there is room for veterans to shine as well. Jessica Lange (The Gambler) has a chance to seize gold if the film has a good run in theaters, while Vanessa Redgrave’s small turn in Foxcatcher has earned nearly as much attention as the performances from the film’s three main actors. Meryl Streep, meanwhile, could be up for a record 19th Oscar for her turn as The Witch in Into the Woods.
However, three names widely expected to be a part of the race are Patricia Arquette, Jessica Chastain and Keira Knightley. Arquette, a first-time nominee, has been building up a lot of admiration for her terrific turn as Mason’s mom in Boyhood, and she is an industry darling. (Remember her surprise Best Actress win for Medium at the Emmys in 2005?) Chastain could be up for either Interstellar or A Most Violent Year, similar to how she was considered for both The Help and The Tree of Life in 2012. Although she was better in the latter, she received a nomination for the more popular title. Meanwhile, Knightley’s strong turn in The Imitation Game drew heaps of praise at TIFF, and that drama’s momentum should be good enough to launch her into the category.
Early Predictions:
- Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
- Jessica Chastain, Interstellar
- Laura Dern, Wild
- Keira Knightley, The Imitation Game
- Vanessa Redgrave, Foxcatcher
Potential Spoilers:
- Jessica Chastain, A Most Violent Year
- Emma Stone, Birdman
- Meryl Streep, Into the Woods
- Katherine Waterston, Inherent Vice