Who are your favorite supporting actresses of the year?
Monday, November 7, 2016 at 7:00PM By Nathaniel R
Over the weekend Fences had its first screening in Los Angeles and Viola Davis apparently lived up to the prerelease hype so there you have your near-certain winner in the Supporting Actress category this year. (I haven't seen it yet so no comment on that until I do.) But nominations are our favorite part of the Oscar nomination circus anyway so even if the race is wrapped up and Viola becomes a record-breaker as we predicted, it's fun to keep sifting through the options.
Yes, it's that time of year when we begin to take stock and are promptly filled with anxiety about sacrificing favorites as we winnow down to the magic number of 5 for our awardage. Along with the anxiety, though, comes such appreciation for the art of the movies. It's one of the many reasons we cherish awards season...
Awards season gives us the excuse / chance / mandate to reflect on all these fascinating characters we get to meet every year. And marvel at the actresses who bring them to life with such skill and insight.
Here are 10 -- no make that 20 -- supporting performances by actresses I'm quite fond of / still thinking about as the year enters its final stretch... how about you?
NATHANIEL'S CURRENT TOP 20 SUPPORTING ACTRESSES OF 2016
TOTALLY RANDOM ORDER
- Greta Gerwig - 20th Century Women
- Nina Arianda - Florence Foster Jenkins
- Gugu Mbatha-Raw - Miss Sloane
- Molly Shannon - Other People
- Tyne Daly - Hello My Name is Doris
- Paulina García - Little Men
- Toni Collette -Glassland
- Kate Dickie - The Witch
- Rossy de Palma - Julieta
- Naomie Harris - Moonlight
- Michelle Williams - Manchester by the Sea
- Kate McKinnon - Ghostbusters
- Antonia Zegers - The Club
- Elle Fanning - 20th Century Women
- Greta Gerwig - Jackie
- Olivia Colman - The Lobster
- Tilda Swinton - Doctor Strange
- Nicole Kidman -Lion
- Felicity Jones - A Monster Calls
- The Lovely Laura Linney - Nocturnal Animals
[IMPORTANT NOTE: I have not yet seen Queen of Katwe, Fences, Eye in the Sky, Hidden Figures, Certain Women, Collateral Beauty, The Founder, Allied or Indignation all of which feature actresses of note in supporting roles]
Who are your favorite supporting actresses from the year thus far and who, that you haven't seen, are you most looking forward to?
Reader Comments (60)
I'll keep saying it until someone believes me: Kathryn Hahn in Bad Moms.
Kate Dickie--Witch
Scarlett or Tilda--Hail Caesar
Julianne-- maggie's plan
Eva Green--Peregrine
Emma Greenwell--Love & Friendship
Robin Bartlett, CHRONIC
Paulina García, LITTLE MEN
Lily Gladstone, CERTAIN WOMEN
Léa Seydoux, THE LOBSTER
Kristen Stewart, CERTAIN WOMEN
Runners-up: Elizabeth Laidlaw, HENRY GAMBLE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY; Olivia Colman, THE LOBSTER; Sarah Sutherland, CHRONIC; Cobie Smulders, THE INTERVENTION; Naomie Harris, MOONLIGHT
Jena Malone from The Neon Demon
Nathaniel, have you seen Aquarius? There are at least two good supporting performances there.
My favorite now is Michelle Williams in Manchester by the sea, but I've yet to see many of the big contenders, but those movies only open in Brazil early next year.
Kate Dickie, Olivia Colman (The Lobster), Chlöe Sevigny (Love & Friendship), Sylvia Chang (Mountains May Depart) and Paulina García are on my list as well.
Lupita Nyong'O is great in Queen of Katwe. Costumes are beatuful as well!
With the caveat that there's a *lot* I've not sen yet:
Kate Dickie, The Witch
Olivia Colman, The Lobster
Naomie Harris, Moonlight
Alison Janney, Tallulah
Lucy Boynton, Sing Street
Hi Nat,Nocturnal Animals just opened in the UK and the only thing i'm ecitedfor is Linney how long is she onscreen,is it Fonda in Youth cameo cos that is the cameo of all cameos for me.
My favorites so far:
Molly Shannon: Other People
Kate Dickie: The Witches
Most looking forward to:
Naomie Harris: Moonlight
Michelle Williams: Manchester by the Sea
Nicole Kidman: Lion
Laura Linney: Nocturnal Animals
I haven't seen any of the big Oscar movies yet. But I agree with Nancy - Lily Gladstone and Kristen Stewart are great in Certain Women, and I might add Laura Dern as well.
I also liked Dakota Fanning in A Bigger Splash and Molly Shannon in Other People.
I'm hoping that Molly Shannon's appearance in the upper image is some indication of how much you love that performance, too. Seems rather impossible to see it make it to the big show, but I'd love to see it at the Indie Spirits.
It would be great to see Molly Shannon pushed forward. This film disappeared from an early released. It's tiresome to just see nominees from films released in the month of December.
My personal top 5 so far:
Olivia Colman, The Lobster
Tyne Daly, Hello, My Name Is Doris
Lily Gladstone, Certain Women
Angourie Rice, The Nice Guys
Kristen Stewart, Certain Women
Also on my list is Kate Dickie for The Witch, Kathryn Hahn for Bad Moms, Dakota Johnson for A Bigger Splash, Abbey Lee for The Neon Demon, and Rachel Weisz for The Lobster
I'm tired of the PC categorization of Fences as an Oscar frontrunner. Every critic I respect has hinted in Twitter it's good, but rooted in its originally theatrical incarnation. Which don't seem to me good cinema, tbh. And Jeffery Wells it's not my standard bearer for moviegoing recommendations, either. The trailer it's nothing special, too.
I champion Viola Davis as an actress. I just don't like pre-ordained winners. Let's see the entire thing before judge. Denzel has nothing in his resume that predicts he's a good director. Just because the story it's powerful and terrific doesn't mean the movie will. Congratulations to all of you who have mentioned supporting actresses outside of the "Oscar box"!
Sarah Gadon finally won me over in Indignation, but Linda Emond as Logan Lerman's character's mother has one scene that is the true definition of a supporting performance.
I have not seen a number of these so I don't want to judge by others...
...
I do like Viola Davis very much BUT really hate that she is in Supporting category
in real time, she should have won for The Help in Supporting category and Streep in BA...
I hope some other actress can take control. fun to see??!
Lily Gladstone – Certain Women
Riley Keough – American Honey
Elizabeth Laidlaw – Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party
Hayley Squires – I, Daniel Blake
Rachel Weisz – The Lobster
Honorable mentions to Lena Paugam – In the Shadow of Women, Maeve Jinkings – Neon Bull, María Telón – Ixcanul, Kristen Stewart – Certain Women, Haerry Kim – Spa Night.
I should give JULIETA another chance. I didn't think it was top-tier Almodovar, and the acting had a lot to do with that. But you singling out De Palma makes me second-guess my original reaction.
I haven't seen a lot of these movies, but from the ones I've seen I liked Edith Scob in THINGS TO COME, Lily Gladstone and Kristen Stewart in CERTAIN WOMEN, and Anne Consigny in ELLE.
Is it ok to have Tyne Daly in my number one spot.
My favorite this year is still Dakota Johnson in A Bigger Splash. I'm so sad she probably won't get any awards... (and I understand Nathaniel, you are not her biggest fan?)
Other favorites include: Olivia Colman (Lobster), Kate Dickie (Witch), Paulina Garcia (Little Men) Bella Heathcote (Neon Demon) and Lupita Nyongo (Queen of Katwe)
Right now I have a strong four with Shannon, Harris, Nyong'o and Monae (Moonlight) in that order.
Jena Malone as 'Ruby' in The Neon Demon
Julianne Moore as 'Georgette' in Maggie's Plan
Angourie Rice as 'Holly March' in The Nice Guys
Lea Seydoux as 'Loner Leader' in The Lobster
Rachel Weisz as 'Short Sighted Woman' in The Lobster
Yep, just saw A Bigger Splash. Dakota was excellent in that (surprisingly better than Tilda or Matthias) and should be in the conversation. From that cast you'd think she would be 4th but instead was a very close 2nd.
Speaking of Matthias - he was terrific in Disorder and should definitely be under consideration for Best Actor there. But then again, that is definitely not an "oscar" pic so bloggers tend to ignore it.
Favorites so far:
Olivia Colman - The Lobster
Kate Dickie - The VVItch
Lily Gladstone - Certain Women
Dakota Johnson - A Bigger Splash
Abbey Lee - The Neon Demon
So much yet to see...
You're forgetting Rachel Weisz in THE LOBSTER! She was so haunting and hilarious in that, and so in step with Yorgos' bizarre brilliance.
CERTAIN WOMEN was so flat and dull. And I'm all for slice-of-life indies, but Reichardt did nothing with these characters, save a few moments between K.Stew and Lily Gladstone in the final act. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on it, Nathaniel.
LUCY BOYNTON - Sing Street
KATE DICKIE - The Witch
NAOMIE HARRIS - Moonlight
LUPITA NYONG'O - Queen Of Katwe
RACHEL WEISZ - The Lobster
I also enjoyed performances by Haley Bennett (Girl On The Train), Helen Mirren (Eye In The Sky) and Jenny Slate (Zootopia).
SEE QUEEN OF KATWE BEFORE IT'S GONE!! It's really good and such female-and-other-minority led (directed, starring, etc.) need to be supported! And also Lupita and David are GREAT in it.
For me so far, it's:
Kate Dickie (WINNER, and it'll take someone pretty damn great to beat her)
Lupita Nyong'o (borderline co-lead)
Olivia Colman
Naomie Harris
Kate McKinnon
With honorable mention to Nina Arianada, who is a delight but also a borderline cameo.
I've hardly seen any of the performances likely to figure as part of the conversation, however right now I'd put:
McKinnon - Ghostbuster
Bennett - Girl on the Train
de Palma - Julieta
Johannsson - Hail, Ceasar!
Laughland - Urban Hymn
From all that I've seen
Molly Shannon, "Other People"
Tyne Daly, "Hello My Name is Doris"
Toni Collette, "Glassland"
Naomie Harris, "Moonlight"
Lupita N'Yongo, "Queen of Katwe"
ACK -- how did i forget Olivia Colman in THE LOBSTER. Okay. put her where the question mark is!
mark -- Laura only has 1 scene in Nocturnal Animals so it's much smaller than Jane Fonda's part because it's not like a 11 minute scene devoted to her or what not.
J. Smith-Cameron is currently my Best Supporting Actress pick for 'Christine.' She's terrific, subtly adding a lot of history with her daughter that isn't explicitly provided by the script.
(Why is no one talking about this film, btw? It's so good).
Favorites so far:
The women of The Lobster
The girls of Captain Fantastic
The women and girl of 20th Century Women
Naomie Harris (Our Kind of Traitor, Moonlight)
Dakota Fanning (American Pastoral, shame about the movie, though)
Lupita
Nicole
Looking forward to
Hidden Figures
Miss Sloane
Fences
La La Land
Manchester by the Sea
Florence Foster Jenkins, Ghostbusters, The VVitch (I know, I know, with these last three)
I have only seen a couple of these, but I definitely would be okay with:
Naomie Harris, Moonlight (great work)
Nina Arianda, Florence Foster Jenkins (she made me laugh)
What about Kirsten Dunst in Midnight Special? Would have to see it again to see if the performance holds up, or it's just my Dunst affection.
Olivia Colman in The Lobster definitely. I think Weisz is lead in that movie.
Co-sign AdamA. Sarah Gadon and Linda Emond in "Indignation." That movie has such terrific acting all around.
Jena Malone aka Dudette Love/Womankind/Cactus Jena for The Neon Demon.
Top 6 so far:
1. Michelle Williams - Manchester by the Sea
2. Helen Mirren - Eye in the Sky
3. Naomie Harris - Moonlight
4. Hayley Squires - I, Daniel Blake
5. Rachel Weisz - Light Between Oceans, The
Really excited to see:
Felicity Jones - Monster Calls, A
Nicole Kidman - Lion
So far, all the actresses I've noted in a running list:
Tilda Swinton (Hail Caesar!)
Morfydd Clark (Love & Friendship)
Emma Greenwell (Love & Friendship)*
Penelope Wilton (The BFG)
Kate McKinnon (Ghostbusters)
Olivia Colman (The Lobster)*
Judy Davis (The Dressmaker)
Kate Dickey (The Witch)*
Laura Dern (Certain Women)
Lily Gladstone (Certain Women)
Linda Emond (Indignation)*
Antonia Zegers (The Club)
Dakota Johnson (A Bigger Splash)*
Isabella Rosselini (Closet Monster)
Elizabeth Olsen (Captain America: Civil War)
Jacki Weaver (Equals)
Alia Shawkat (Green Room)
Haerry Kim (Spa Night)*
Clea DuVall (The Intervention)
Maryann Plunkett (The Family Fang)*
Zoey Deutch (Everybody Wants Some!!)
Rachel House (Hunt for the Wilderpeople)
Nora Zehetner (Creative Control)
Rosalina Lee (Seoul Searching)
Alexia Rasmussen (Creative Control)*
So far Olivia Colman and Tilda Swinton for Hail, Caesar!
Favorites:
- Naomie Harris (Moonlight)
- Rachel Weisz (The Lobster)
- Olivia Colman (The Lobster)
- Lea Seydoux (The Lobster)
- Dakota Johnson (A Bigger Splash)
- Kate Dickie (The Witch)
- Zosia Mamet (Wiener-Dog)
- Aunjanue Elis (The Birth of a Nation)
- Aja Naomi King (The Birth of a Nation)
- Abbey Lee (The Neon Demon)
Looking Forward To:
- Nicole Kidman (Lion)
- Viola Davis (Fences)
- Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea)
- Elle Fanning (20th Century Women)
- Greta Gerwig (20th Century Women, Jackie)
- Janelle Monae (Hidden Figures)
I really enjoyed Kristen Stewart and especially Lily Gladstone in Certain Women. They were probably my favorite from Sundance. Kate McKinnon is a bit of a mystery to me, but Naomie Harris is fan-freakin'-tastic in Moonlight. Tough to beat, that one.
Current top 5:
Tyne Daly, Hello, My Name is Doris
Linda Emond, Indignation
Sarah Gadon, Indignation
Molly Shannon, Other People
Rima Te Wiata, Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Haven't seen a variety of contenders that haven't been released yet, but my 3 clear favorites from earlier in the year: 1) Olivia Colman - The Lobster, 2) Rachel Weisz - The Lobster, 3) Abbey Lee - The Neon Demon.
Judy Davis, The Dressmaker
Lily Gladstone, Certain Women
Isabelle Huppert, Louder Than Bombs
Rachel Weisz, The Lobster
Avin Manshadi, Under the Shadow
Sennia Nanua, The Girl With All the Gifts
Min-Hee Kim, The Handmaiden
Naomie Harris in Moonlight. Unbelievable.
I would vote for M. Williams in Manchester but we all know Viola is going to win via Category fraud.
I can definitely get behind Tyne Daly, Paulina Garcia, Naomie Harris, and Antonia Zegers. But where are Olivia Colman and Janelle Monae?
My personal favorite this year though, which unfortunately few have seen, is Sylvia Chang from Mountains May Depart. She's absolutely natural and so, so captivating in the film.
Judy Davis so deserves an Oscar for The Dressmaker after her horrendous loss to Tomei.
I also really enjoy Scarlett in Hail Caesar though that's not big or juicy enough.
Alas, Viola gonna win guys!
Evan: I watched Mountains May Depart last year. Yes Sylvia Zhang and Zhao Tao deserve the accolades but don't bet on Oscar to bestow them that honour. African-American actresses/actors are already having a hard time getting nominated let alone Asians and other nationalities.
Kate Dickie, The Witch
Tilda Swinton, Doctor Strange
Haley Bennet, Hardcore Henry
Brittany Mirabile (That totally unhinged teenager who wants her candy), The Purge: Election Year
Angeliki Papoulia (Heartless Woman), The Lobster
Margot Robbie's on one of my lists. I'm just not sure if I'm putting her leading or supporting yet. I'm also doing this off the top of my head and forgetting the litany of bizarre little indie genre films with nebulous release dates that I have to access my database of watching for to recognize. Those are mostly leading or writing feats this year, though.
Any way you slice it, Dickie's my win right now. Harvey Scrimshaw's also my supporting actor win from The Witch, too, and I flip between The Witch, The Dressmaker, and Deadpool for my Picture win at this point. I'm nothing if not a fan of totally committed genre films.