Best Supporting Actress: Ranking Every Nominee of the 98th Academy Awards
Written by Andreas Babiolakis
Welcome to another year of the Academy Awards Project here on Films Fatale! We rank all of the nominees in each category every day.
Another year, another slew of nominations to rank! I have missed this (and have not recovered that energy I lost from last year; I am running on fumes). I want to kick things off once again with the supporting acting categories, because I find that they are a great way to celebrate the latest iteration of the Academy Awards with some familiar faces (before I dive into my true form of nerdy obsession with the technical and production categories). What I consider a strong supporting role is one that aides the lead performances and enhances them, as well as stealing some scenes here or there. I am privy to the concept of category fraud (where a leading performance is placed in a supporting category just to try and win an Oscar, or vice versa) and will be cognizant of any such case whenever I look at supporting acting nominations; I am pleased that no such fraudulence has taken place this year. If anything, I think the Academy has done a damn fine job selecting these five nominees. I cannot find fault with any of them being nominated, nor do I think that there are any egregious omissions here. Here are your nominees for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, ranked from worst to best.
5. Sentimental Value-Elle Fanning
Oh, I think it is such a delight that Elle Fanning has finally been nominated, and that her great work in Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value has been acknowledged. Sadly, I place her last simply because someone has to be last when it comes to ranking. Fanning plays actor Rachel Kemp but is never snotty, pretentious, or air-headed in any stereotypical way. She is an active listener: someone who wants to absorb a character before taking them on in a role. Watching Fanning’s Rachel try — and struggle — to get into the mindset of Renate Reinsve’s Nora Borg (whom she is playing in a film) is so fascinating because of how many safe routes or obvious notes Fanning could have utilized; instead, this is a complicated character who begins to realize much about her own desires when acting as another. A hypnotic performance that I am glad is here; should I state a reason for why Fanning is so low, I would say the other four nominees had films that were more indebted to them. That’s simply it.
4. Weapons-Amy Madigan
Horror fans, rejoice! Hollywood veteran Amy Madigan made it with her kooky, haunting, chaotic portrayal as the evil Aunt Gladys in Weapons (this is surprisingly the only nomination the highly-popular film got). Madigan is ranked low here because Gladys truly is barely in Weapons and is saved for the end, but what a memorable performance this is that truly steals — and, in ways, actually saves — the entire film. I will say that the character is not quite as layered as the others ranked higher on this list are (which is certainly not Madigan’s fault; she makes the most of what she has to work with by far), but this is otherwise an instantly memorable look into the abyss of insanity in the form of an eccentric geriatric who believes she is unassuming; I love how peculiar yet threatening Madigan makes Gladys here.
3. Sentimental Value-Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas
In a film full of great performances, I actually might think that Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas is the strongest in Sentimental Valye (which is not an easy claim to make; all four of the film’s key roles were nominated for Oscars this year, and rightfully so). You go in wanting to be wowed by Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård; worry not, you are. However, it is Lilleaas who you may think of the most once the film is done: as the sister and daughter of two feuding family members who is trying to make the most of it all, Lilleaas truly does feel like the torn heart of the film: the repercussion of grudges and malice in the form of a loved one caught in the crossfire. Lilleaas is equal parts enthralling and entertaining in Sentimental Value and the star I couldn’t stop thinking of the most. Not only does she prove herself vital here, she makes everyone around her even stronger (and, to be fair, the vice versa can be stated as well). I am hoping for a bright and prolific future for everyone’s new favourite Norweigan starlet.
2. Sinners-Wunmi Mosaku
A testament to Wunmi Wosaku’s prominence in Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is that there are so many great supporting roles in this film, and yet it felt like a unanimous decision that her work as Annie had to be the performance that dominated the awards season. Considering how much of the film relies on spirituality and grief, Annie’s expertise on Hoodoo is essential to the film’s genetic makeup; Wosaku makes Annie sound in tune with the spirits throughout time, while also not making her ever come off as nuts with her mysticism. Furthermore, she is both the sign of Smoke’s past and his potential future (should he shape up); she feels like the maternal guidance within the film during these horrifying times while also being a tour-de-force showstopper whenever Wosaku sees fit. Wosaku has been around for quite some time, but I hope her acclaimed work in Sinners leads her to a wonderful slate of projects ahead.
1. One Battle After Another-Teyana Taylor
Singer-turned-actor Teyana Taylor is the beating heart of One Battle After Another (a quick shout out to Regina Hall who, frankly, has never been better than she is in this very film). Taylor’s character’s name is Perfidia Beverly Hills, and she wears that title proudly by filling it with such visceral passion and life. As a member of a revolutionary group (the French 75), Perfidia is undeniably unstoppable, and Taylor makes her a threat to her opponents and highly entertaining for us viewers. If you are keen to point out that she is barely in the film, you would be correct. However, because of how strong she is, this only proves my point. Once you stop seeing Taylor in One Battle After Another, her lack of presence almost feels like her teachings are all around us in the characters she inspired (even in daughter Willa, who she is estranged from; Willa’s so effective because we recognize her as a miniature Perfidia). In order for One Battle After Another to work as well as it does, Perfidia had to be phenomenal, and Taylor goes above and beyond with this role, making her essence resonate throughout the two hours of film that she is not in (you always feel her spirit throughout this motion picture). Her efficiency and effectiveness is why I have placed Taylor first.
Who I Want To Win: I am honestly fine with any of these performances winning. They were all excellent this year. In case you feel like it is a cop out to not pick at least one, I will stick with my top ranked selection of Teyana Taylor in One Battle After Another.
Who I Think Will Win: While I don’t think it’s certain yet — since this particular category has appeared to be a little wide open all season long — I think that Teyana Taylor’s Golden Globe win for One Battle After Another is quite promising. I can also see Amy Madigan continue to pick up steam for Weapons (she did win a Critics’ Choice Award for this role, which is nothing to sneeze at), but for now I am sticking with Taylor (unless other awards season shifts lead me to think otherwise).
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.