After a year of amazing films and performances, the nominees for the 94th Academy Awards have been announced. As usual, there are films with multiple nominations across the show like West Side Story and Power of The Dog, but also surprising accolades for films like the animated documentary Flee or the emotional CODA. With a variety of talent, the ceremony is shaping up to be a must-watch.
One of the categories with some surprising nominations is that of Best Actress. Four out of the five nominees have been previously nominated for an Academy Award, and three have already won one for a previous performance. None of the films represented are nominated for the night's biggest prize, Best Picture, either, a rare feat for the Oscars. With less than two months until the event, let's review the nominees and figure out which actress could take home the award.
Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)
If you're looking for a performance you can truly call a transformation, Jessica Chastain's role as the sweet but complex Tammy Faye Bakker is one of the best this season. Along with Jessica's acting nomination, The Eyes of Tammy Faye was nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, no doubt attributed to the stunning work done with prosthetics, makeup, and more to sculpt the actress into the famous and controversial televangelist. Besides the outward changes, Jessica embodies Tammy Faye, from her mannerisms and voice to her unflinching kindness. Playing a historical figure (substantial or not) is always noticed by Academy voters and could work in Chastain’s favor, but two of her fellow nominees also took a turn at a real-life person. While The Eyes of Tammy Faye was not as much of the financial success it deserved to be, critics were clear that Chastain’s performance was worth noting. This is her second nomination for Best Actress, following her performance in 2012’s Zero Dark Thirty.
Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter)
This British-born actress gained her first Oscar win for her role in The Favorite, showing off her well-known comedy chops. Colman had her major breakthrough after spending years on the British comedy Peep Show and has been all over film and television ever since. This year's nomination for The Lost Daughter — the directorial debut of Maggie Gyllenhaal — lets viewers and critics see a more dramatic and darker side of Olivia. The film centers on a middle-aged mother on holiday in Greece who runs into a new mother, forcing her to look back on her own experiences raising her two daughters. While Colman’s performance is notable and stunning, it gets lost in the sheer star power that she is up against in the category. A win for her doesn't seem likely, but then again, it didn't seem likely in 2018 when she won against powerhouses like Lady Gaga and Glenn Close.
Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos)
This extremely well known Australian actress looks like the obvious front runner for the Best Actress category. Nicole Kidman has won a Golden Globe for her work in Being the Ricardos, a film exploring the relationship between comedienne Lucille Ball (played by Kidman) and her husband, Desi Arnaz. While the film itself has been critiqued for its writing and directing by Aaron Sorkin, its performances have been awarded all season long, especially Kidman's. After her win at the Golden Globes and the ceremony's use as a precursor to the Oscars, it's likely that Nicole will be taking home the golden statue.
Penélope Cruz (Parallel Mothers)
Cruz is in an interesting situation, as her husband Javier Bardem is nominated for Best Actor for his work in Being the Ricardos, definitely making Oscar night that much sweeter for the couple. The Spanish actress is known for her frequent collaboration with director Pedro Almodóvar, a partnership that has earned her both an Academy Award for this category and her nomination this year. Almodóvar's Parallel Mothers focuses on two expecting mothers (one played by Cruz) whose meeting in the maternity ward changes the course of their lives forever. Cruz has garnered major attention for her performance, including a win for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival.
Kristen Stewart (Spencer)
A first-time nominee, Kristen Stewart is also the youngest actress in the category. After skyrocketing onto fame thanks to her role as Bella Swan in Twilight, the 31-year-old has amazed in performances in smaller productions like Still Alice and thriller Personal Shopper. In Spencer, Stewart plays Diana, Princess of Wales, a figure whose image and death loom large. But Stewart captures the former royal with a shade of vulnerability that shows her talents beyond vampire flicks. Since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, critics have been waiting for this nomination. Despite the lack of other nominations for Spencer, it's very possible that Stewart could go home with the famous golden statue.