BUZZMETER

Supporting actress

The Envelope scoured the darkest of theaters to find six of the world’s most highly trained (or in some cases, opinionated) Oscar pundits, writers and film critics to predict who this season’s nominees will be in several key categories. Down the road, after the academy announces its choices, the Buzzmeter team will offer up their predictions on who the winners will be. Until then, check back here each week as they weigh in on a new category, or go online for all their picks at once at

latimes.com/buzzmeter. Their predictions may change after all the contenders have been screened and after certain key precursor awards play out, so check back often! Justin Chang L.A. Times

Viola Davis, “Fences” Naomie Harris, “Moonlight” Felicity Jones, “A Monster Calls” Nicole Kidman, “Lion” Michelle Williams, “Manchester by the Sea”

Davis’ switch from lead to supporting has led awards watchers to declare this race effectively over, though not for lack of compelling alternatives.

Anne Thompson Thompson on Hollywood

Michelle Williams, “Manchester by the Sea” Viola Davis, “Fences” Naomie Harris, “Moonlight” Felicity Jones, “A Monster Calls” Greta Gerwig, “20th Century Women”

This category was Michelle Williams’ to lose as Casey Affleck’s character’s exwife in “Manchester” until Paramount moved Davis to supporting for “Fences.”

Tom O’Neil Gold Derby

Viola Davis, “Fences” Michelle Williams, “Manchester by the Sea” Elle Fanning, “20th Century Women” Janelle Monae, “Hidden Figures” Nicole Kidman, “Lion”

Clash of the overdue divas: Davis versus Williams. Davis has the edge with more screen time plus previously winning a Tony for this role on Broadway.

Kenneth Turan L.A. Times

Viola Davis, “Fences” Michelle Williams, “Manchester by the Sea” Naomie Harris, “Moonlight” Nicole Kidman, “Lion” Janelle Monae, “Hidden Figures”

She has only a handful of scenes, but Michelle Williams is going to be hard to beat.

Nicole Sperling Entertainment Weekly

Viola Davis, “Fences” Michelle Williams, “Manchester by the Sea” Naomie Harris, “Moonlight” Greta Gerwig, “20th Century Women” Aja Naomi King, “Birth of a Nation”

Michelle Williams has three previous nominations, Viola Davis has two. Who’s going to take home the gold?

Glenn Whipp The Envelope

Viola Davis, “Fences” Michelle Williams, “Manchester by the Sea” Naomie Harris, “Moonlight” Nicole Kidman, “Lion” Greta Gerwig, “20th Century Women”

Many pundits have already crowned the popular Davis the winner in this category, and it’s hard to argue. She owns the second half of “Fences.”