2022 Oscar Nominations and Favorites (Will Smith, Jessica Chastain Reign Supreme)

The 2022 Oscars are finally here. This is the 94th Academy Award show and this is one of the biggest ones yet.

BetSided has you covered with the consensus picks from some of the major categories from the award show.

BEST PICTURE

Belfast
Coda
Don't Look UP
Drive My Car
Dune
King Richard
Licorice Pizza
Nightmare Alley
The Power of the Dog
West Side Story

Consensus Favorite: CODA

Coda is a story that follows an aspiring singer coming from a deaf family. The film portrays her struggles prioritizing her career and making sure that her family is taken care of. A story like this tugs on the hearstrings and is getting a lot of love before the show.

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Javier Bardem, Being the Ricardos
Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog
Andrew Garfield, tick, tick...BOOM!
Will Smith, King Richard
Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth

Consensus Favorite: WILL SMITH, KING RICHARD

Will Smith has played many roles, and has played a father many times. Yet, his portrayal of Richard Willams was one of the highlights of the film. Smith was able to accentuate all the mannerisms that made Williams one of the most famous fathers in America.

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Ciran Hinds, Belfast
Troy Kotsur, Coda
Jesse Plemons, The Power of the Dog
J.K. Simmons, Being the Ricardos
Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Power of the Dog

Consensus Favorite: TROY KOSTUR, CODA

Kostur played the father of the aspiring actress in CODA. His support of his daughter was evident and was a heartwarming touch to the film.

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter
Penelope Cruz, Parallel Mothers
Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos
Kristen Stewart, Spencer

Consensus Favorite: JESSICA CHASTAIN, THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE

Chastain not only was the forefront of this movie, but she actually sang in the film, giving her a lot of props in my book. Tammy Faye and her scandal is tough to recreate, but Chastain did it like she lived every moment of it.

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Jessie Buckley, The Lost Daughter
Ariana Debose, West Side Story
Judi Dench, Belfast
Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog
Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard

Consensus Favorite: ARIANA DEBOSE, WEST SIDE STORY

In yet another play-turned movie, DeBose was able to bring new life to "Anita." DeBose brought out the big personality of "Anita" as well as tight rope the complicated relationship between her character and "Tony."

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

Encanto
Flee
Luca
The Mitchells vs. The Machines
Raya and The Last Dragon

Consensus Favorite: ENCANTO

Encanto has taken over the animation space. From the viral song, "We Don't Talk About Bruno" to the eye-popping colors to the representation, Encanto checks every box and is the overwhelming favorite to take home the award.

BEST DIRECTOR

ENCANTO Steven Spielburg, West Side Story
Kenneth Branagh, Belfast
Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Drive My Car
Paul Thomas Anderson, Licorice Pizza
Jane Campion, The Power Of The Dog

Consensus Favorite: JANE CAMPION, THE POWER OF THE DOG

The Power of the Dog was an slow, intricate film about a farm, happiness and drive. Campion has be praised for the sublties in this film, and that's what truly drives this movie. While the other films in this category are great, none are able to bring as many worlds together as Campion.