Oscars 2018: Who Should Win Every Award (And Who Actually Will)

4. Directing

Lady Bird Greta Gerwig Saorsie Ronan
A24

Nominees: Paul Thomas Anderson (Phantom Thread, Guillermo del Toro (The Shape Of Water), Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird), Christopher Nolan (Dunkirk), Jordan Peele (Get Out)

Who Should Win

Christopher Nolan

It's a little shocking that this is the first time Christopher Nolan has even been nominated (The Dark Knight and Inception, at least, were both deserving), and while form suggests he'll leave empty handed he does deserve to take the gold here. Dunkirk isn't his best film, but he does some incredible direction it; the movie draws together his focus on time with a real emotion he's often accused of lacking, and puts it together in a masterful war epic. From the insane spectacle of everything on screen to the more intimate moments, this is pure filmmaking from a master of the craft.

Who Will Win

Guillermo del Toro

The Shape of Water director took home the Directors Guild of America award, which all but locks in his victory here. Only three times this century have they differed, and with del Toro winning a number of other awards along the way, being a highly-respected director who has never been recognised here before, and having such a well-liked film he's the easy favourite.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.