As of October, many candidates can still come and change every prediction, but on the other hand, enough movies have already done so well to fill a whole Best Picture category.
The earliest one came as soon as April in Ryan Gogler's Sinners, a horror thriller surrounded on the themes of Afro-American music and hot vampires. Starring an actor so good he has been casted twice in the movie, Michael B. Jordan, indeed Apollo Creed’s son, is looking for a first Oscar nomination: and a first success is more than possible. Sinners is definitely on the run for Best Picture, Original Screenplay, Original Score, Costume, Makeup and Directing.
However, this film has some competition, represented by the last Cannes film festival Palm D'or, Jafar Panahi's It Was Just An Accident. The Iranian dark comedy stands out by a brilliant storytelling, an addictive scenario and a talented ensemble casting that might take the first ever best casting Oscar. Just like last year, the Canne Palm D'or is a favourite in Best Picture as well as in original scenario.
Still at Cannes, Johacim Trier's Sentimental Value is targeting a best adapted screenplay and best actress in both supporting and leading role oscar, which would naturally project them into best pictures.
The magnificent, wonderful, beautiful One Battle After Another from Paul Thomas Anderson has the profile to be the most rewarded.
As for other categories, Best Score is in the viewfinder for Joseph Krasinsky’s F1 who is also eying Best Editing and Picture.
The magnificent, wonderful, beautiful One Battle After Another from Paul Thomas Anderson has the profile to be the most rewarded. The chef d’oeuvre is looking for nomination in Best Actor, Supporting Actress, Cinematography, Original Score, Editing and for winning in Supporting Actor, Director, Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture.
Yorgos Lanthimos’s Bugonia on its way to be the fourth Oscar nominated movie for Best Director. Not only do I think it deserves Best Picture, it is considered for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Leading Actress and Makeup.
Regardless of Best Picture, some movies can make some surprises in smaller categories. Warfare in Best Sound, Weapons in Sound and Editing, Best Special Effect for Superman, Mission Impossible and How To Train Your Dragon, Best Leading Actor in Caught Stealing.
Meanwhile, the best animated movie is probably aiming for Kpop Demon Hunter while Elio, Demon Slayer and Bad Guys 2 will get nominated.
However, some up-coming films may change everything: Wicked For Good, Avatar 3, Wake Up Dead Man, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Running Man, Marty Supreme, to name a few...
Despite every prediction that has just been made, the Oscar nomination presents us unpredictable surprises every year and it is important to remember that an amazing movie can come from anywhere.