Tag: Erika Alexander

Oscar Predictions: Is God Is

Adapting her own critically heralded play, Aleshea Harris’s cinematic directorial debut Is God Is arrives in multiplexes this weekend. The grindhouse tale stars Kara Young and Mallori Johnson as sisters seeking revenge stemming from a family tragedy. The supporting cast includes Sterling K. Brown, Vivica A. Fox, Janelle Monáe, Erika Alexander, Mykelti Williamson, and Josiah Cross.

The Orion release is generating some of the best reviews of 2026 with 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and an 88 Metacritic. That said, Academy love could be hard to come by given the genre. Adapted Screenplay is worth mentioning and Makeup and Hairstyling is an even better possibility.

Where Is God Is could really shine is at the Indie Spirit Awards, especially for Harris with Best First Feature. I could also see it doing well at the Gothams. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: American Fiction

Awards prospects for Cord Jefferson’s American Fiction rose precipitously today as it won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival. Per a previous post hours ago, that particular honor has been a major harbinger for a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars. How much so? 14 of the past 15 recipients have achieved a BP nod and five have taken the prize.

Fiction marks the directorial debut of Jefferson and the race relations dramedy is led by Jeffrey Wright. Based on buzz from up north, the actor could absolutely snag a spot in Best Actor. Yet as I’ve mentioned before, that is a stacked race that includes hopefuls like Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer), Leonardo DiCaprio (Killers of the Flower Moon), Colman Domingo (Rustin), Bradley Cooper (Maestro), and Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers).

The supporting cast includes Tracee Ellis Ross, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Sterling K. Brown, John Ortiz, Issa Rae, Adam Brody, and Keith David. It’s likely Wright (vying for his first nomination) is the feasible nominee if he can break through the crowded pack.

Adapted Screenplay might be the best bet for inclusion, but I can’t stress enough how major the TIFF People’s Choice victory is. Expect it to materialize in lots of BP top tens starting today and I very well may follow suit in my imminent update. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…