Best Cinematography Oscars Predictions (January)

Joshua James Richards’s spectacular Nomadland cinematography has steamrolled the last month of critics awards. With close to 20 victories, he’s the clear frontrunner at this point. But this race can change on a dime, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

There’s absolutely still a path for Erik Messerschmidt to claim the Oscar, particularly if the Academy adores Mank like many believe they will. His work is more impressive on a technical level and that’s often what wins the favour of Oscar voters.

While I’d like to remain steadfast in my hope Minari will sneak in here (and it still could), Lachlan Milne’s cinematography may be too subtle and simple for the Academy’s tastes. If they’re looking for something more showy, Judas and the Black Messiah fits the bill perfectly. It’s a surprisingly stylised film, largely thanks to Sean Bobbitt’s luscious camera work.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY PREDICTIONS:
1. Nomadland (Searchlight Pictures)
Joshua James Richards
2. Mank (Netflix)
Erik Messerschmidt
3. News of the World (Universal Pictures)
Dariusz Wolski
4. Tenet (Warner Bros.)
Hoyte van Hoytema
5. Judas and the Black Messiah (Warner Bros.)
Sean Bobbitt

MAJOR CONTENDERS:
Da 5 Bloods (Netflix)
Newton Thomas Sigel
The Father (Sony Pictures Classics)
Ben Smithard
Hillbilly Elegy (Netflix)
Maryse Alberti
I’m Thinking of Ending Things (Netflix)
Łukasz Żal
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Netflix)
Tobias A. Schliessler
The Midnight Sky (Netflix)
Martin Ruhe
Minari (A24)
Lachlan Milne
Mulan (Disney)
Mandy Walker
One Night in Miami (Amazon Studios)
Tami Reiker
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Netflix)
Phedon Papamichael