Mar 09, 2026 9:30am IST
Oscars 2026: Film Expert Predicts Who Could Take Home The Best Supporting Actor and Actress Trophies
I’m betting on Sean Penn taking home his third Oscar. His performance as the despicable Col. Lockjaw in “One Battle After Another” is exactly the kind of role the Academy often gravitates toward — audacious, unsettling and eerie. Penn has always excelled when he’s allowed to dive into the darkest sides of the human limit, and Lockjaw feels like an epitome of that.
That said, I wouldn’t completely rule out an upset. While most punters will gravitate towards [Stellan] Skarsgård in Joachim Trier's “Sentimental Value”, it’s Delroy Lindo’s Delta Slim in “Sinners” that could be an unlikely upset — a quietly powerful performance that anchors the film beautifully., feels like the sort of late spoiler the Academy sometimes rallies around when momentum shifts in the final stretch.
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Personally though, the performance I’m rooting for most in this category is Benicio Del Toro in “One Battle After Another.” Quite certain he isn’t winning.
As for supporting actress, this is the toughest categories in years. My brain says it comes down to Teyana Taylor’s Perfidia in “One Battle After Another,” but Amy Madigan as Aunt Gladys in “Weapons.” She’s the one that might take the trophy home!!!!!
In the Best Supporting Actress, the nominations are Teyana Taylor for "One Battle After Another," Wunmi Mosaku in "Sinners," Amy Madigan in "Weapons" and actresses Ella Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for "Sentimental Value."
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