Hanoi [Vietnam], March 6: As the 98th Academy Awards draw closer, predictions about the winners are more intense than ever, especially in the acting categories. This year, the race for Best Actor sees a fierce competition among a host of big names: Leonardo DiCaprio ( One Battle After Another ), Timothee Chalamet ( Martyr Supreme ), Michael B. Jordan ( Sinners ), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent).
Will Leonardo DiCaprio win his second Oscar?
In One Battle After Another , Leonardo DiCaprio plays Bob Ferguson, a desperate father trying to save his daughter amidst an extreme war. The 70s-born actor's performance received widespread critical acclaim, earning him nominations for Best Actor at numerous prestigious awards: the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and BAFTA Awards. However, he lost the award to different competitors at all three. Currently, many critics don't believe Leonardo DiCaprio's potential to win his second Oscar after a 10-year wait is a realistic prospect.
Variety praised the 52-year-old star's well-controlled performance, which was humorous alongside its emotional depth and memorable moments. His eight Oscar nominations and 2016 win for The Revenant serve as a reminder of his powerful presence on screen. However, the publication felt this wasn't a truly unique or groundbreaking performance compared to DiCaprio's already successful acting career.
Meanwhile, specialized websites like IndieWire, The Rolling Stones, and The Hollywood Reporter also didn't include Leonardo DiCaprio in their top two list of potential winners. Despite not receiving much expectation in the Best Actor race, the film One Battle After Another still has a promising awards season with 12 other nominations, including strong contenders in categories such as Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actress.
Leading candidate for the Oscar
Currently, Timothee Chalamet and Michael B. Jordan are the two most prominent contenders in the race for the Best Actor Oscar.
The Hollywood Reporter critics predict Timothee Chalamet's outstanding performance in Marty Supreme will propel him to the top spot. Chalamet has an advantage ahead of the awards season thanks to his star power and unique campaign. This is the 1995-born actor's third Oscar nomination after his roles in Call Me by Your Name (2018) and A Complete Unknown (2025), demonstrating the Academy's confidence in the young star's increasingly impressive acting. Notably, his wins in the same acting category at the Critics' Choice Awards and Golden Globes further fuel the belief that he will "make a splash" at this year's Oscars.
Despite the aforementioned advantages, Variety 's critic believes Timothee Chalamet is still "immature" by Oscar standards. The critic considers the young actor's performance somewhat flamboyant, with some voters finding his technical skills more prominent than his ability to express emotion. Rolling Stone, on the other hand , argues that Timothee Chalamet remains a controversial figure among Oscar voters. The critic believes no one else can deliver a performance in Marty Supreme like Chalamet did, stating: "One day he will win an Oscar, just not this year."
Another contender attracting considerable attention in this race is Michael B. Jordan, playing the contrasting twin brothers in Sinners - the horror film that's setting a record with 16 Oscar nominations this year. A Rolling Stone writer predicts Michael B. Jordan will win the Oscar, and should. The critic highly praised the 39-year-old star's performance, noting that there are moments when watching him portray both Smoke and Stack that require viewers to remind themselves they aren't watching two different actors. "In this film, Jordan delivers not just one, but many outstanding performances," the critic stated.
Meanwhile, a Rolling Stone critic noted that Sinners is gaining popularity in the awards campaign, and Jordan's win at the Screen Actors Guild Awards last weekend makes him a leading contender for the Oscar. "Winning at the SAG Awards doesn't always guarantee an Oscar (just ask Timothee Chalamet). But Jordan is also a big movie star and a 'new generation talent' contender no less than Chalamet. It's time to give him the golden statuette," the critic wrote. An IndieWire writer also ranked Michael B. Jordan at the top of their predictions for wins at the upcoming Oscars.
However, many commentators point out that Oscar results always have shocking upsets, and this year's Best Actor race is likely to be just like that. The final winner will be announced at the 98th Academy Awards ceremony, scheduled to take place in Los Angeles, USA, on March 15th (local time).
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
