Jessie Buckley, The Lost Daughter
Ariana DeBose, West Side Story (WINNER)
Judi Dench, Belfast
Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, King Richard
Let’s just get the worst part out of the way: Ruth Negga’s omission from this lineup will never be forgiven. Getting the sixth or seventh slot for one of the year’s very best performances while Judi Dench, bless her heart, is nominated for ending Belfast on its only interesting note? Whatever. I say the Academy should feel bad and critics orgs should feel worse for not rallying more behind her (NSFC innocent, as they usually are). But taking the lineup for what it is, we have a nice collection of textured, thoughtful actressing, all of whom add rough edges to their films. All the love in the world to Buckley and Ellis-Taylor, both of whom deliver strong, standout turns among starry ensembles, and should have easily been contending to win this award. I’m obviously happy for Dunst finally getting her first career nomination, but she and DeBose strike me as giving affecting, imprecise performances in palpably demanding roles. Rewatching their work has led to different facets of their work standing out, and that kind of staying power can be just as valuable as straightforwardly “good” acting. Dench doesn’t have anywhere near their level of difficulty in her part or her project, and trying to hype up her contributions feels like it’d take more time to read than she took to shoot her scenes, but her last close-up is a much better ending than we could’ve hoped for Belfast up til that point. An inevitable step down from 2020, but the best four are just as ambitious as that stellar field.
My Vote:
Jessie Buckley, The Lost Daughter
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, King Richard
Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog
Ariana DeBose, West Side Story
Judi Dench, Belfast
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