We’re looking at each individual category for the Oscars and what our thoughts are going into the final stretch. We’ve adjusted our thoughts based on the precursor associated with this category, American Society of Cinematographers. Below are our predictions in Best Cinematography.

Best Cinematography

Winner Predictions

• Frankenstein
• Marty Supreme
• One Battle After Another (WL) [New] (PP)
• Sinners (TL)
• Train Dreams

Runner-Up Predictions

• One Battle After Another (TL) [New]
• Sinners (WL) [New] (PP) [New]

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Wesley Lovell: Sinners was in the driver seat most of the year but BAFTA went to One Battle After Another and the American Society of Cinematographers concurred. While Sinners could stage an upset like in Best Picture, we should probably expect One Battle to win one of its awards right here.
Pete Patrick: A close call but that hill chase seen in One Battle After Another is impossible to ignore.
Thomas La Tourrette: This had felt like a two-movie race between Sinners and Train Dreams until the guild gave its award to One Battle After Another. Talk about throwing a wrench into the machine. Sinners had won over 60% of the precursors, with Train Dreams and One Battle splitting the other major awards, but I had never really considered One Battle a serious contender. I had originally pegged Sinners to win four awards, original screenplay, casting, score and cinematography, with this one being perhaps its weakest chance to win. Now the most nominated film ever looks like it might pull off a much larger sweep, which makes this more likely, even without the guild award. The Academy could also give an award to the first female cinematographer, which might sway a few votes towards Sinners too. One Battle or the gorgeous work of Train Dreams might still pull off the win, but I expect this to go to Sinners.

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