It seems that I am the only person in the world who didn’t enjoy Kate Winslet’s performance in Steve Jobs. Perhaps I need to re-watch the film, considering my lukewarm response to it as a whole. Regardless of my favor, Winslet appears to be the category favorite. Winning the Golden Globe only helped her chances.

The rest of the category is up in the air. If it isn’t Winslet, it could be anybody. It is nice to see Rachel McAdams get a much deserved nomination for Spotlight. Alicia Vikander might as well win for her acting year as a whole, where she splashed onto the scene with a handful of very strong performances. But you can’t count Jennifer Jason Leigh or Rooney Mara out in spite of their films being snubbed in other categories.

Update: On Jan. 30, Alicia Vikander took home the SAG Award for her supporting role in The Danish Girl. With this and a Critics’ Choice Award win, Vikander has snuck up on Kate Winslet in what is becoming a tighter race than previously expected. Look to see Vikander take home on the Oscar on Feb. 28 after a breakout year for the young actress in 2015.

 

Nominees:

• Jennifer Jason Leigh (The Hateful Eight)
• Rooney Mara (Carol)
• Rachel McAdams (Spotlight)
• Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl)
• Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs)

 

Will Win: Alicia Vikander

Could Win: Kate Winslet

Dark Horse: Rachel McAdams

 

You can find a list of predictions in all 24 Oscar categories here.

As always, thanks for reading!

What do you think? Who will win in this category? Who should win? Let me know in the comments!

—Alex Brannan (@TheAlexBrannan)