The Oscar Derby Rolls Into February

THR’s awards analyst on how the Grammys and other recent events are impacting the race

BEST ACTOR Colman Domingo Rustin

He received post-nom praise from Walter Naegle, the life partner of the late Bayard Rustin: “You’ve brought Bayard’s spirit to a world audience — the intelligence, integrity, compassion and commitment, all driven by a joy for living.”

BEST ACTRESS Lily Gladstone Killers of the Flower Moon

The 37-year-old breakout — who for her turn as Mollie in Martin Scorsese’s drama became the first Indigenous American to be nominated for an acting Oscar — was profiled by The New Yorker on Feb. 4.

BESTSUPPORTING ACTOR Mark Ruffalo Poor Things

The actors’ actor and fan favorite, who is nominated for an Oscar for the fourth time (his previous noms were for You Can Count on Me, The Kids Are All Right and Foxcatcher), will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Feb. 8.

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE Oppenheimer Ludwig Göransson’s

score was awarded best score soundtrack for visual media at the Grammys on

Feb. 4, beating his own Black Panther: Wakanda Forever score and another 2024

Oscar nominee, John Williams’ Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

BEST ORIGINAL SONG “What Was I Made For?,” Barbie

Billie Eilish and

Finneas’ tune won Grammys for song of the year (over, among others, Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night” from the same film) and best song written for visual media (“I’m Just Ken” and “Dance the Night” were also nominees).

BESTDOCUMENTARY SHORT Nai Nai & Wài Pó

Disney+ held a

Lunar New Year celebration for the

Los Angeles premiere of Sean Wang’s portrait of his Chinese immigrant grandmothers. The 17-minute short film previously won the 2023 documentary short film award at AFI Fest.