13 Unexpected Actors Who Might Win Oscars In 2020

9. Honor Swinton-Byrne (Best Actress - The Souvenir)

The Souvenir
Sundance Film Festival

The Role: Julie, a young film student who becomes romantically involved with a suave but duplicitous man (Tom Burke).

The new drama from director Joanna Hogg (Archipelago) premiered at Sundance to rave reviews, with many critics foregrounding the lead performance of Honor Swinton-Byrne (daughter of Tilda, who also stars in the film as her mother).

Some reviews went as far as to call Swinton-Byrne's performance one of the most startling debuts of recent years, and though the film as a whole could prove a touch too art-house for the Academy, they sure do love showering praise on out-of-nowhere rising talents.

It would certainly be a surprise victory in a category likely to be dominated by numerous heavyweight actresses, but on the strength of the initial reviews, it sounds like Swinton-Byrne is a singular, awards-worthy talent in her own right.

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