Oscars 2018: 10 Best Actor Candidates You Need To Know

The Academy's penchant for well-reviewed Westerns makes Hostiles a formidable player in this year's Oscars stand-off. Christian Bale's role as a reluctant Army Captain received tons of raves at early film festivals, roping in a quick distribution deal and considerable attention for Hostiles.

Though Bale is no stranger to Hollywood's biggest night, he's never lassoed the Best Actor trophy. It's disappointing for his fans who've supported the respected and conscientious actor for decades. His commendable turns in The Machinist and American Psycho were overlooked by the nominations committee despite spectacular reviews for Bale. Bale continues to be a reliable leading man even though it was his role as Dicky in the Fighter that earned him the Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

Hostiles offers Bale the perfect platform to wrangle up voter support. His character, Joseph Blocker, escorts a dying Cheyenne chief back to his family in a dynamic tale about race relations. Bale's level of commitment this time should place him on a stagecoach bound for the Oscars. He learned to speak Cheyenne for the shoot, trekked through rough terrain, and lost weight due to the heavy woolen uniforms.

The movie left the Telluride Film Festival with a bang and was chosen out of a remarkable line-up to open the Rome Film Festival. With frequent appearances in notable locations, Hostiles has firmer footing than many other pictures in the running.

A stampede of stellar reviews and advantageous appearances station Bale as a strong frontrunner.