• ​Yura Borisov, Igor in Anora

  • ​This Russian actor is unknown to the west, but was brilliant in this surprising movie. He is a thug who never even brandishes a gun, but shows a big heart. Unfortunately, he's definitely not saying anything beyond "Is nice to be nominated, da?"

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• Jeremy Strong, Roy Cohn in The Apprentice

  • Known best for the hapless elder son in Succession, he has had great roles in Trial of the Chicago 7 and The Big Short. But this one shows real range.

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• Kieran Culkin, Benji Kaplan in A Real Pain

  • Ostensibly, the titular character (and wouldn't you love to hear Roman Roy's retort to that tittle...uh, title...in Succession?!?)​

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• Edward Norton, Pete Seeger in A Complete Unknown

  • The first rule of Norton Club is we don't talk about what a dick Norton is. Likely the reason he got nominated, because he played one of the all-time nice guys of the 60s convincingly. THAT's acting, folks!​

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• Guy Pearce, Harrison Lee Van Buren Sr. in The Brutalist

  • He scares the life out of you the entire movie. Is he going to be the emperor who says "too many notes?" or the spoiled man-child who decides to blow a building up because he can't get what he wants?