Oscars 2015: Best Actress Predictions

3. Rosamund Pike - Gone Girl

Fincher's Gone Girl proved to be one of the more successful films of the fall movie season, grossing over $165 million in the United States, which has many an Oscar pundit began predicting that Gone Girl could be a major Oscar player, believing the film could ride its popularity into a Best Picture nomination despite its grim subject matter and sardonic tone. Thus far the film's Best Picture prospects are still up in the air, with a few key victories from certain critics groups here and there, but not enough to assure it of a forthcoming Best Picture nomination. However, even if the film shoots blanks in every other category, one nomination that Gone Girl will most certainly obtain is a Best Actress nomination for Rosamund Pike's lead performance. Starring as the eponymous Gone Girl, Rosamund Pike is the crown of Fincher's unrelentingly cynical take on both relationships and the media's obsession with forming narratives in missing persons cases. It's hard to discuss Pike's performance as Amy Dunne without getting into major spoiler territory for those that have not seen the film, but needless to say, Pike's Amy is one of the more memorable female performances of the year. It's the type of performance that demands your attention and does not let go. The dark nature of Gone Girl leaves open the slightest chance that Pike could miss a nomination if Academy members are feeling especially stuffy, but chances of that happening are virtually zero. Pike has been cited by a number of regional critics groups as the Best Actress of the year so don't be surprised if Pike pulls off the upset when the Oscars are actually handed out.