Oscars 2021: Final Predictions For Nominations In Every Category

9. Best Visual Effects

Promising Young Woman Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Sound of Metal
Warner Bros.

NOMINEES:

Mank

The Midnight Sky

Mulan

Tenet

Welcome to Chechnya

The precursors have been kind to two of the more adventurous potential nominees this year, namely Mank, which employed extensive, virtually invisible VFX to create 1930s Hollywood, and Welcome to Chechnya, which used ground-breaking deepfake technology to alter the appearances of its subjects.

Elsewhere it's tough to argue with Christopher Nolan's inspired use of CGI in Tenet or the visual majesty of The Midnight Sky, and though Mulan is easily the weakest proposition of the pack, it's also one of few effects-heavy live-action productions to actually be released over the last year.

Then again, don't be too shocked if Soul knocks Mulan out, as rare as it is for animated films to receive nominations in this field.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.