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

16. Actress In A Supporting Role

Allison Janney I Tonya
Neon

Nominees: Mary J. Blige (Mudbound), Allison Janney (I, Tonya), Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread), Laurie Metcalf (Lady Bird), Octavia Spencer (The Shape Of Water)

Who Should Win

Laurie Metcalf

As the mother to the titular Lady Bird, Metcalf has a lot in common with Janney's part in I, Tonya, playing a frustrated, acerbic mother to a child intent on forging their own path. However, while that's mostly what Janney offers, Metcalf brings much more balance to the role. She perfectly conveys just how much she clearly loves her daughter, with plenty of warmth in their relationship, while also being annoyed at her actions and having to be the bad guy because of the way the father is. She strikes all the right notes, making her mean but understandable, and deserves it for the devastating airport scene alone.

Who Will Win

Allison Janney

With the Golden Globe, BAFTA, and - most tellingly - SAG awards all in the bag, this one is now Janney's to lose. She's emerged as the clear frontrunner across awards season, and she's a well-respected actor doing a great turn that plays different to how she's usually perceived (in other words, a million miles away from C.J. Cregg), and it's a spiky, loud performance voters will like.

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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.