The most prestigious night in film is only hours away, and this year’s Oscar nominees have fought to a stalemate so far this award season; the 2026 Academy Awards is anyone’s night.

Best Supporting Actor

For the best supporting actor category, Paul Mescal was snubbed of a nomination for playing William Shakespheare in “Hamnet.” Even though I would not have anticipated a win for him, his complex portrayal of a grieving father and artist deserves so much more recognition. Critics have ignored his performance solely because they believe it feels like he took a back seat in the film to Jessie Buckley’s incredible portrayal of Agnes Shakespeare. But both actors deserve praise; together, they made “Hamnet” into a heartbreaking, emotional journey.

I would love to see Jacob Elordi take home this award; I sobbed at his monologue deliveries in “Frankenstein.” He took on the role of “the creature,” a creation by Victor Frankenstein, somehow making the audience fall in love with a character who was constantly villainized. The creature was non-verbal toward the beginning of the film, but as difficult as it seems to display human emotions and vulnerability through body language and facial expressions alone, Elordi did so perfectly.

Best Supporting Actress

Although critics’ opinions say otherwise, I think “Wicked: For Good” was snubbed of many nominations, including Ariana Grande as best supporting actress. She was an ideal casting choice as Glinda, and I firmly believed she was on the way to an Oscar as soon as I left the theater after seeing the film. I was rooting for Grande to win an Oscar last year for her portrayal of Glinda in the first part of “Wicked,” and I still adamantly believe she was robbed of that win. This year’s snub struck me even more: The script in “Wicked: For Good” gave her a better opportunity for a more emotional performance, and she truly delivered.

Best Original Song

None of these songs stand out to me as nominees for the music category, though I very much enjoyed the music in “Sinners,” so I hope this award goes to Saadiq and Goransson. Based on previous award shows, I am certain that “Golden” will win. I don’t personally see the allure over this song, but it undeniably topped charts.

Seeing yet another snub, senior and “Wicked: For Good” fan Gabby McDermott believes the film was robbed of a nomination in the musical category. “I am a big fan of both of the Wicked films, and I think they really deserved to be nominated in some category, especially for the best [Music (Original Song)] category, because of how good the soundtrack is,” she said. “Its meaningful lyrics, combined with Ariana [Grande] and Cynthia [Erivo]’s magical voices alone, should have won an Oscar.”

Best Actress in a Leading Role

So many nominees in this category delivered incredible performances, but Jessie Buckley’s in “Hamnet” was an absolute masterpiece, with her heart-wrenching performance evoking never-ending tears. The raw emotion she was able to present made the audience feel like they were grieving with her.

She was able to evoke the joyful moments and the unimaginable. She brought to life maternal qualities as she fiercely fought for her son, never letting him go even as her overwhelming love became a source of heartbreak. Everything she felt, I felt; I cried when she cried, and my heart broke for her several times. She perfectly captured the vulnerability and humanity of a grieving mother.

Best Costume Design

There is no question that “Frankenstein” deserves the costume design award. The film included some of the best costumes in recent memory. Elizabeth, played by the brilliant Mia Goth, wore breathtaking gowns, seamlessly blending elements of the Victorian era with the film’s gothic beauty. Dressing Elizabeth in feathers, ruffles, and corsets, Kate Hawley “understood the assignment,” as she perfectly captured time period trends. Combined with their monochrome color schemes, Hawley’s gowns perfectly suited the lovable character that Elizabeth was. Elizabeth’s gown in the first scene, where she first encounters Victor Frankenstein, is my favorite costume from the entire film. Dressed in a gorgeous ocean-blue garment with lovely feather details and an oversized fan, to complement the tulle masterpiece attached to her gown, Elizabeth shines.

As much as I enjoyed the film “Marty Supreme,” its nomination shocked me. Kay Stone, the movie star Marty begins to fall for and who is played by Gwyneth Paltrow, was the only character whose costumes stood out. She perfectly fit the glamorous Hollywood look with her diamonds, silk gloves, and gowns. Miyako Bellizzi did a wonderful job matching the time and setting of the film with her costume choices, but I personally feel that “The Testament of Ann Lee”—with its 18th-century Shaker-style costumes—would be more deserving of a nomination.

Best Picture

It’s been an incredible year of films, and I’m genuinely struggling to decide which film truly deserves to win Best Picture. One of these films, however, stood out: “Sentimental Value.” The Norwegian drama was perfect. Its depiction of human emotions was utterly lifelike. When the film commences, it pans to Agnes, who is an actress, having a severe panic attack. Renate Reinsve’s way of perfectly capturing the anxious emotions in these scenes—and also depicting feelings of joy, such as in scenes with her nephew—was a perfect display of her acting abilities.

Aside from the film destroying me emotionally, it was also beautiful, with exquisite cinematography. It made sisters Nora and Agnes’ childhood neighborhood feel like my childhood neighborhood—like I had grown up with the sisters in their black, wooden-paneled house with rusty red additions. Even if the house didn’t carry their fondest memories, watching the film, I felt a touch of nostalgia for a place I’d never visited.

I can’t help but mention the film’s incredible soundtrack, which made a bittersweet film put a smile on my face. The perfect intro, accompanied by Terry Callier’s “Dancing Girl,” matched an equally incredible outro song choice, “Cannock Chase” by Labi Siffre.

But the actors carried the movie, which is also nominated for Best International Feature.

“Sentimental Value”’s cast left a tapestry of raw emotion, pouring their history and pain—and also their joy—into the audience’s minds. I could feel the tension between Renate Reinsve’s Agnes and her father, Gustav—played by Stellan Skarsgård—through the screen. They perfectly encapsulated the arguments that take place in an intense father-daughter relationship, but also demonstrated the importance in finding love in other relationships, as the rest of her family provided a sense of wholesomeness that she never experienced with her father.

The film ended perfectly. As Agnes finally agreed to be in her father’s movie, which he wrote for her, Agnes recognized her father’s effort to rebuild their relationship and reconnect with her, creating a fresh start in their complicated and messy relationship.

The silence of the ending spoke volumes, epitomizing Agnes and her father’s lack of communication. The film concludes with Agnes finishing an emotional scene in her father’s movie. As soon as he calls “cut” and exclaims how it was “perfect,” Agnes and her father share a long-lasting smile-slash-nod-of-approval. The audience knows that even though Agnes and her father may not be able to talk, something has shifted; they feel calmer, like they had come together behind the scenes to reconnect.