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The Envelope scoured the darkest of theaters to find six of the world’s most highly trained ( or maybe that’s opinionated) Oscar pundits, writers and film critics to predict who this season’s nominees will be in several key categories. Down the road, afte
Justin Chang Los Angeles Times Sally Hawkins, “The Shape of Water” Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Margot Robbie, “I, Tonya” Saoirse Ronan, “Lady Bird” Meryl Streep, “The Post” You know it’s a strong f ield when Jessica Chastain, Annette Bening, Emma Stone and Judi Dench all look like equally plausible contenders. Tom O’Neil Gold Derby Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Sally Hawkins, “The Shape of Water” Jessica Chastain, “Molly’s Game” Saoirse Ronan, “Lady Bird” Emma Stone, “Battle of the Sexes” It’s been 21 years since McDormand won for “Fargo.” Even larger gaps occurred between wins by Meryl Streep ( 29 years) and Katharine Hepburn ( 35 years). Anne Thompson Indiewire Sally Hawkins, “The Shape of Water” Judi Dench, “Victoria and Abdul” Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Saoirse Ronan, “Lady Bird” Margot Robbie, “I, Tonya” With such a crowded f ield, much will depend on how well these f ilms do with audiences — and how critics groups vote at year’s end. All f ive of these actresses are extraordinary. Nicole Sperling Vanity Fair Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Sally Hawkins, “The Shape of Water” Saoirse Ronan, “Lady Bird” Jessica Chastain, “Molly’s Game” Meryl Streep, “The Post” No, we haven’t seen “The Post” yet, but she’s Meryl Streep and she’s playing Katharine Graham. It’s a match made in heaven. Still, the category is Frances McDormand’s for the taking. Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times Sally Hawkins, “The Shape of Water” Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Margot Robbie, “I, Tonya” Saorise Ronan, “Lady Bird” Jessica Chastain, “Molly’s Game” Can anyone stop Frances McDormand? A very competitive race. Glenn Whipp The Envelope Saoirse Ronan, “Lady Bird” Sally Hawkins, “The Shape of Water” Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Margot Robbie, “I Tonya” Judi Dench, “Victoria & Abdul” So many terrif ic options here, including Jessica Chastain (” Molly’s Game”) and Kate Winslet (” Wonder Wheel”).