Oscars 2018: 10 Movies That Could Win Best Picture Next Year

The Film

Starring Rooney Mara in the titular role, it'll tell the story of Mary Magdalene. A Jewish woman, she became an ardent follower of Jesus, and is mentioned more than the majority of his disciples in the four gospels. It's said that he excised seven demons from her, and that she was present at both his crucifixion and resurrection. Though the full details aren't known, the film is expected to see Mary leave her village to follow Jesus, and will probably include those major events outlined above.

In addition to Mara, Joaquin Phoenix will be playing Christ himself, with Chiwetel Ejiofor as Peter. Lion's Garth Davis directs with a script from Helen Edmundson and Philippa Goslett.

Why It Could Win

Mara, Phoenix, and Ejiofor have six acting nominations between them, meaning this film boasts some real heavyweight talent when it comes to awards season, and it's difficult to imagine them not turning in great performances, especially the brilliant Mara in the leading role.

Garth Davis, meanwhile, is firmly on the Academy's to-watch list after Lion received a Best Picture nomination, and he's shown he can deftly handle a true story in a way that plays to Oscar voters. Greig Fraser is again collaborating as well, and his cinematography should ensure the movie looks impressive, and it should do well in a number of technical categories.

Biblical movies don't have the strongest track record at the Oscars - at least, not since Ben-Hur broke the record - but the talent involved, and the fact it's centred around Mary rather than Jesus (giving it a more human element), mean it has a strong shot of breaking the mould, especially if The Weinstein Co. give it their all.