The Oscar Narrative: Final Predictions - Best Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, and Supporting Actress

Best Actor

Will Win - Will Smith "King Richard"

Could Win - Benedict Cumberbatch "The Power of the Dog" or Andrew Garfield "tick, tick...boom!"

Should Win - Smith or Garfield

Commentary - Cumberbatch seemed like a lock to win the BAFTA. When Will Smith won there, I knew it was over. Smith as swept the major precursors, has star power, has been campaigning with the Williams' sisters, and has hit the point in his career where recognition is deserved. 

Best Actress

Will Win - Jessica Chastain "The Eyes of Tammy Faye"

Could Win - Penelope Cruz "Parallel Mothers", Olivia Colman "The Lost Daughter", or Kristen Stewart "Stewart"

Should Win - Chastain

Commentary - Penelope Cruz is peaking at the right minute, and there is a lot of passionate support for her performance. Kristen Stewart has a lot of support too, and neither her nor Cruz were nominated at SAG, so this race is completely different than every other major precursor. Colman has never won an individual SAG Award, and still managed an Oscar and an Emmy. She is just so popular, and has upset before. But there seems to be a lot of momentum for Jessica Chastain, and the story of how she got this film made is inspiring. It is a tight race though and anything could happen.

Best Supporting Actor

Will Win- Troy Kotsur "CODA"

Could Win - Kodi Smit-McPhee "The Power of the Dog"

Should Win - Kotsur

Commentary - Kotsur has swept the major precursors, and is the heart and soul of CODA, which is now a major Best Picture contender. He wins in a walk. 

Best Supporting Actress

Will Win - Ariana DeBose "West Side Story"

Could Win - Aunjanue Ellis "King Richard" or Kirsten Dunst "The Power of the Dog"

Should Win - DeBose or Ellis

Commentary - Ariana DeBose has now swept all the big awards, is playing a character that won her co-star an Oscar, and she breathes new life into an iconic role. Again, like Kotsur, she wins in a walk.