Best Picture Battle: Six Movies Have a Narrow Path to Winning, From ‘A Complete Unknown’ to ‘The Brutalist’

variety.com:

Clayton Davis Senior Awards Editor The Academy Awards have staged some iconic showdowns. Think of the tension around “La La Land” versus “Moonlight,” “12 Years a Slave” versus “Gravity” or “The Godfather” versus “Cabaret.” Each was a nail-biter that kept viewers on the edge of their seats.

But what happens when six films — “Anora,” “The Brutalist,” “A Complete Unknown,” “Conclave,” “Emilia Pérez” and “Wicked” — are all serious contenders for Hollywood’s most coveted prize?

Enter “The Year Without the Frontrunner,” as Variety aptly dubbed it. So, what is the pathway for each contender? With 13 nominations, “Emilia Pérez” seems to have the logical edge (although recent controversies could derail that assertion).

It has key guild nods and below-the-line Oscar mentions. But in this unpredictable year, historical trends are no guarantee.