The 2025 Best Actress race is bursting with talent, featuring a mix of bold newcomers and seasoned icons delivering career-defining performances. From musicals to biopics to intimate dramas, here are my predictions for the frontrunners in this year’s highly competitive category:
Mikey Madison – Anora (Neon)
Mikey Madison’s dazzling performance in Anora is a masterclass in blending comedy and drama. Playing a strip-club dancer caught in the whirlwind of obscene wealth and complex power dynamics, Madison is both riotously funny and heartbreakingly vulnerable. This transformative role is earning her well-deserved praise and could very well land her a first Oscar nomination.
Karla Sofía Gascón – Emilia Pérez (Netflix)
In Emilia Pérez, Karla Sofía Gascón delivers a groundbreaking and poignant performance as a transgender Mexican crime lord navigating a dual identity. Gascón’s powerful portrayal has captivated audiences and critics alike, making her a likely nominee—and a potential history-maker as the first trans actress to be nominated in this category.
Angelina Jolie – Maria (Netflix)
Angelina Jolie steps into the shoes of opera legend Maria Callas with elegance and depth. Maria offers Jolie the perfect platform to showcase her nuanced acting skills, balancing the grandeur of Callas’ public persona with the emotional turmoil of her private life. Hollywood loves a transformative biopic, and Jolie’s performance is as grand as it gets.
Cynthia Erivo – Wicked (Universal Pictures)
Cynthia Erivo enchants as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, in the much-anticipated film adaptation of Wicked. Erivo’s powerhouse vocals and emotionally charged performance bring new layers to a character we thought we already knew. Her portrayal blends vulnerability and strength, making her a standout in this star-studded musical and a likely contender in the race.
Fernanda Torres – I’m Still Here (Sony Pictures Classics)
Fernanda Torres’ deeply moving performance in I’m Still Here brings raw emotion and authenticity to the screen. Her portrayal of a mother fighting against systemic injustice is subtle yet powerful, resonating with audiences and critics alike. Torres is poised to be one of the international standouts in this year’s Oscar race.
Why This Year’s Race Stands Out
This year’s Best Actress lineup is as diverse as it is exceptional, showcasing a range of genres and stories that push the boundaries of cinema. From Erivo’s musical triumph to Gascón’s groundbreaking role, and from Jolie’s larger-than-life biopic to Torres’ intimate drama, this category is a testament to the incredible depth of talent shaping modern filmmaking.
Who’s your pick to take the top prize? Let’s keep the conversation going as the race heats up!
