Our Pre-Nominations Nominations

Which films, actors and directors have a chance of taking home statuettes on Hollywood’s biggest night?

This story appears in our April/May issue, published the week before Oscars nominations were announced.

BEST PICTURE

WILL WIN: Spotlight has the combo of gravitas, quality and mass appeal.
SHOULD WIN: The gorgeous, well-constructed and entertaining Mad Max: Fury Road.
COULD WIN: The Martian’s popularity makes it a contender. Bridge of Spies has the right pedigree, and The Revenant is a heavy hitter. But don’t forget Joy with its Oscar-darling director and star or the emotionally effective Inside Out, likely to win Best Animated Feature.

BEST ACTOR

WILL WIN: Michael Fassbender for Steve Jobs.
SHOULD WIN: Bryan Cranston telling a Hollywood story in Trumbo.
COULD WIN: It could be the first Academy Award for Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant) or Johnny Depp (Black Mass), the third for Tom Hanks (Bridge of Spies), the second — and first acting award — for Matt Damon (The Martian), or the second in a row for the stunning Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl).

BEST DIRECTOR

WILL WIN: Tom McCarthy, of The Station Agent and The Visitor, will finally get his win for Spotlight.
SHOULD WIN: I’d be happy to see to see George Miller (Mad Max), Todd Haynes (Carol), László Nemes (Son of Saul), or Andrew Haigh (45 Years) take home the prize.
COULD WIN: After last year’s win for Birdman, Alejandro González Iñárritu is an obvious favorite for The Revenant, as are Ridley Scott (The Martian) and David O. Russell (Joy).

BEST ACTRESS

WILL WIN: Brie Larson (Room) and she utterly deserves it.
SHOULD WIN: In addition to Larson, Kitana Kiki Rodriguez was frenetic fun in Tangerine, and Charlotte Rampling offered an exquisitely understated performance in 45 Years.
COULD WIN: Perennial favorite Jennifer Lawrence (Joy), New York City–born and Ireland-raised Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn), or the inimitable Cate Blanchett (Carol).

BEST FOREIGN

WILL WIN: Don’t bet against fast-paced and powerful Holocaust film, Hungary’s Son of Saul.
SHOULD WIN: Though Son of Saul is worthy, France’s Mustang (think a Turkish Virgin Suicides) is good and Canada’s Félix et Meira is truly special.
COULD WIN: Taiwan’s The Assassin, Brazil’s The Second Mother, Germany’s Labyrinth of Lies (like Song of Saul, a Holocaust film), and Chile’s The Club (like Spotlight, a film about naughty priests).