Bluffer’s Guide to the Oscars: Best Supporting Actress

Jennifer Jason Leigh
‘The Hateful Eight’

The Role: Daisy Domergue, a wanted criminal.

The Arc: Considered very dangerous, she spends most of the film looking disheveled and handcuffed to a bounty hunter. But a twist shows there’s more to the character than you might think.

The Outlook: Lost at the Golden Globes, didn’t receive a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) nomination, did receive a British Academy (Bafta) nod. One of the more talked-about performances in this film.

The Talking Point: She’s great in this role, but have you heard her amazing voice work in “Anomalisa”?

Rooney Mara
‘Carol’

The Role: Therese, a young department store clerk with photography ambitions.

The Arc: Her life goes in a new direction when she meets, and begins a relationship with, the suburban housewife Carol.

The Outlook: Lost at the Golden Globes, but garnered SAG and Bafta nominations, which means she still has a chance.

The Talking Point: A shame “Carol” was snubbed for best picture, but maybe they’ll make up for it by rewarding this performance.

Rachel McAdams
‘Spotlight’

The Role: Sacha Pfeiffer, the one woman on the Spotlight team of investigative journalists at The Boston Globe.

The Arc: Her sharp investigative work is crucial to a series of articles on the sexual abuse of children by Roman Catholic priests and the church’s subsequent cover-up.

The Outlook: Up for SAGs in the supporting and cast categories, but the role may be too subtle for a win.
The Talking Point: If there were an award for best khakis, she could bring it home.