6. Best Supporting Actress- Lupita Nyong'o
There are a plethora of brilliant performances in 12 Years A Slave but one that is also completely blindsiding is a harrowing turn from newcomer Lupita Nyongo. Just like Solomon, Patsey is also a slave on the torturous plantation but its their juxtaposition in character that allows each other to shine. Whereas Solomon pushes on and on for survival, Patsey has completely given up and is devoid of any will to live, going as far as begging for Solomon to end her misery. In addition to this she is raped by her owner (Fassbender) and is even forced to watch the child grow up him, in ways that almost feel as if shes being taunted. All of this results in a hauntingly tragic character that is profoundly sympathetically portrayed in a breakout performance.