Photo credit: www.goldderby.com
2025 Oscars Best Actor Race Heats Up: Who Will Claim the Fifth Spot?
The competition for the Best Actor category at the upcoming 2025 Oscars appears to be taking shape, with four contenders seemingly solidifying their positions: Adrien Brody for “The Brutalist,” Timothée Chalamet in “A Complete Unknown,” Colman Domingo for “Sing Sing,” and Ralph Fiennes in “Conclave.”
Insights from five prominent Oscar analysts emphasize a strong consensus among them regarding these frontrunners. The experts—comprising Debra Birnbaum of Gold Derby, Pete Hammond from Deadline, Clayton Davis of Variety, Scott Feinberg from The Hollywood Reporter, and Anne Thompson of Indiewire—engaged in an analytical discussion, shown in their “”slugfest”” video covering this year’s awards.
The lingering question revolves around who will occupy the elusive fifth nomination spot when the contenders are unveiled on January 17.
Pete Hammond identifies a potential dark horse in the conversation: Jeremy Piven, who shines in the film “The Performance.” He describes Piven’s portrayal as captivating, referencing the film’s unique take on Holocaust narratives and Piven’s unexpected tap dancing talent. Hammond remarks, “When you see this movie, you go, ‘Woah!’”
Debra Birnbaum mentions “The Apprentice,” noting that before a recent election, Sebastian Stan would likely have been a strong candidate. Despite this, the impact of the political climate may have shifted perceptions. Hammond believes that Stan deserves consideration, but Anne Thompson counters, indicating that the film has not garnered significant attention among American audiences. This sentiment is echoed by Clayton Davis, who suggests that Stan’s dual roles in two significant films can complicate his recognition.
Feinberg adds another layer to the discussion, suggesting that Stan’s performances are being closely observed in actor roundtables. “I still believe that other actors can make that happen. I’m not saying it’s a done deal,” he explains, while entertaining the possibility of nominations for both Stan and Jeremy Strong.
Davis also proposes that the fifth nomination may be a contest between Daniel Craig, starring in “Queer,” and Paul Mescal in “Gladiator II.” He notes Craig’s lack of previous nominations, suggesting that his performance could be career-defining. He also highlights the possibility of Mescal gaining traction because of the success associated with “Gladiator.”
Birnbaum complements Davis’s theory by noting that Academy voters often check off multiple performances from films that present ensemble casts or broader narratives. Films like “Conclave” and “The Brutalist” may benefit from such voting patterns, while standalone performances could face challenges in gaining nominations.
Feinberg concludes by reflecting on the evolving demographic of the Academy. He states that with younger and potentially less experienced voters, the distribution of nominations may continue to shift, leading to fewer films being represented than in previous years.
As the date for the nominations approaches, the excitement and speculation around the Best Actor category intensify. The question remains: who will secure that prized fifth nomination?
Source
www.goldderby.com