As the Oscars approach, The State Press' film buffs are giving our takes on what we think should win this season, as well as predictions for what the Academy will choose.
After numerous hours spent watching the silver screens and logging Letterboxd reviews on 2026's Oscars nominees, it's hard to pick just one out of each category. But we did.
Original Score
Sam: Ludwig Göransson, "Sinners" — I had thoughts on casting a "Marty Supreme" protest vote, but even then, this race would (and rightfully should) conclude with "Sinners" squarely in the driver's seat. The blues-heavy score masterfully highlights the 20th-century Mississippi Delta's distinctive charm, serving as the cherry on top of a magically immersive period piece. Göransson is clearly an all-timer. The man just can't miss.
Alex: Ludwig Göransson, "Sinners"
Jack: Ludwig Göransson, "Sinners"
Prediction: Ludwig Göransson, "Sinners"
Adapted Screenplay
Alex: "One Battle After Another" — Its screenplay was a truly impressive combination of commentary, tension and comedy. While I didn't love the others in this category, this is not a "Mickey Mouse" win. It's impressive that a filmmaker so young can have such a deep filmography that continues to improve.
Jack: "One Battle After Another"
Sam: "One Battle After Another"
Prediction: "One Battle After Another"
Original Screenplay
Jack: Ryan Coogler, "Sinners" — I don't know if there's ever been a film that fits this category more. It's one of the most unique directions and scripts I've seen. Coogler taps into an underused setting and time period while blending horror and musicality on the highest level.
Alex: Ryan Coogler, "Sinners"
Sam: Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier, "Sentimental Value"
Prediction: Ryan Coogler, "Sinners"
Cinematography
Sam: Adolpho Veloso, "Train Dreams" — It's a herculean labor to capture the beauty of the Pacific Northwest on a camera lens, but Veloso finds himself able to manage. Veloso is a virtuoso in the way he wields Washington's natural light, lifting the audience off their seats and into the raw, organic, seemingly endless wooded landscapes adorning the film.
Alex: Adolpho Veloso, "Train Dreams"
Jack: Adolpho Veloso, "Train Dreams"
Prediction: Adolpho Veloso, "Train Dreams"
International Feature Film
Jack: "Sentimental Value" — A beautifully tragic mix of divides in familial bonds, the trauma that comes with it and the restructuring and rediscovery of lost love. With incredible performances all around, as you'll see by my picks, and a wonderful story wrapped around it, "Sentimental Value" will be a tough out in this category.
Alex: "Sentimental Value" (Although it should have been "No Other Choice.")
Sam: "Sentimental Value"
Prediction: "Sentimental Value"
Actor in a Supporting Role
Alex: Benicio Del Toro, "One Battle After Another" — A movie with four acting nominations (and could've had another) sees two for supporting actor. To me, this comes down to Sean Penn and Del Toro, with the latter narrowly taking it. All five performances were impressive, but Del Toro managed to add so much to his film in such a short amount of time.
Jack: Stellan Skarsgård, "Sentimental Value"
Sam: Sean Penn, "One Battle After Another"
Prediction: Sean Penn, "One Battle After Another"
Actress in a Supporting Role
Alex: Amy Madigan, "Weapons" — Like most horror movies, "Weapons" was a very divisive film in conversations all year long. Unlike for most horror movies, Madigan did receive a well-deserved Oscar nomination for her performance as Aunt Gladys. It would be truly great to see this nomination turn into an award. "Weapons" was made by its villain, and that character wouldn't be what it is without this impeccable performance from Madigan.
Jack: Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, "Sentimental Value"
Sam: Teyana Taylor, "One Battle After Another"
Prediction: Teyana Taylor, "One Battle After Another"
Director
Alex: Ryan Coogler, "Sinners" — This would be a long-overdue win, over a decade in the making. Coogler has been truly on top of it since his debut, and "Sinners" acts as the movie that puts it all together. His most ambitious movie yet, this is directed to perfection and makes every moment hit. From the quieter landscape shots to the chaotic fight scene, "Sinners" defines this award.
Jack: Joachim Trier, "Sentimental Value"
Sam: Paul Thomas Anderson, "One Battle After Another"
Prediction: Paul Thomas Anderson, "One Battle After Another"
Actor in a Leading Role
Sam: Timothée Chalamet, "Marty Supreme" — He's due. Say what you want about Chalamet's unabashed confidence throughout "Marty Supreme's" press tour, but his performance was technically sound, ferociously hungry and infectiously charismatic. Fun fact: Chalamet is one of the youngest actors to receive three Oscar nominations, and we all know that old saying about the third time.
Alex: Timothée Chalamet, "Marty Supreme"
Jack: Timothée Chalamet, "Marty Supreme"
Prediction: Timothée Chalamet, "Marty Supreme"
READ MORE: Review: 'Marty Supreme' dreams big and delivers bigger
Actress in a Leading Role
Jack: Jessie Buckley, "Hamnet" — Shoutout Renate Reinsve, but Buckley, I was unfamiliar with your game. No, I haven't seen "Women Talking" or "I'm Thinking of Ending Things" yet, but they're now near the top of my watchlist. A masterclass in emotion and control, Buckley steals the show here.
Alex: Jessie Buckley, "Hamnet" (Would have been Amanda Seyfried if she got a nomination.)
Sam: Jessie Buckley, "Hamnet"
Prediction: Jessie Buckley, "Hamnet"
Best Picture
Alex: "Sinners" — "Sinners" is in more than just best of the year conversations in my eyes. It's in best of the decade talks. It's a movie that puts together all aspects of film perfectly. From the incredible visuals that beautifully fill an IMAX screen to the music that plays an impressively important role, the Academy would be doing itself a disservice picking any other film for Best Picture.
Jack: "Sinners" — What's there to say that hasn't been said already? A genius work across the board, "Sinners" bent the lines of traditional cinema, but still found great success with the general audience. Coogler's magnum opus, paired with Göransson's unique composing style, is a shining light in today's film world.
Sam: "Sinners" — This last year was a great one for cinema, and it's evidenced in this absolute bloodbath of a lineup. Choosing between "One Battle After Another" and "Sinners" feels impossible, but I'm giving the nod to Coogler's brainchild. With a poignantly emotional narrative on racial and cultural identities, unprecedentedly transformative musical sequences and two Michael B. Jordan masterclasses to boot, we're seeing nothing short of a future classic.
Prediction: "One Battle After Another"
READ MORE: State of the Oscars: The State Press' resident film buffs predict 2025 Academy Award winners
Final predictive award counter:
"One Battle After Another": 5
"Sinners": 2
"Hamnet": 1
"Marty Supreme": 1
"Train Dreams": 1
"Sentimental Value": 1
Editor's note: The opinions presented in this column are the authors' and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
Edited by Kasturi Tale, Senna James and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporters at stroeste@asu.edu, aswift10@asu.edu and jkmccar2@asu.edu and follow @samtroester, @sw1fty555 and @jackmc_6 on Letterboxd.
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Jack McCarthy is a senior studying sports journalism with a minor in business. This is his fourth semester with The State Press. He has also worked as a sports reporter and sports editor.
Sam is a junior studying political science with a minor in business. This is his second semester with The State Press.
