The Oscar buzz is kicking off! And the cream of the crops from this year are all vying for the prestigious cinematic honor. As the calendar inches closer to January 23rd, Oscar pundits are crunching numbers to predict the deserving contenders for the 2024 event. This year has seen an array of exceptional performances and cinematic wonders, elevating the standard of the Academy Awards. However, the heavy hitters for highly acclaimed movies this year are undoubtedly Barbie and Oppenheimer, which divided the global fanbase into two distinct sections.

In the midst of all the talk about these two blockbuster flicks, a newcomer from an OTT movie is rising as the top bet for an Oscar in the supporting role. Charles Melton is this year’s popular choice for the best supporting actor at the Oscars, along with heavyweights like Robert Downey Jr. and Ryan Gosling. And here is why. 

Why are the chances of Charles Melton winning an Oscar so high?

Charles Melton, who skyrocketed to fame after his portrayal of Reggie Mantle on the CW television series Riverdale, recently starred alongside Hollywood biggies, including Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore in the Netflix drama May December. Melton played a husband and father in the movie, who navigates the murky origins of his marriage. The movie has already received highly favorable reviews from audiences and critics. It received a whopping 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. 

It has also received ten nominations in different award categories, among which it won eight. Charles Melton, alone won four awards for his performance. He won the Breakthrough Performance Award at the Celebration of Cinema & Television Festival and Outstanding Supporting Performance at the Gotham Independent Film Awards. Apart from that, he also snagged the Virtuoso Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. 

Melton’s continuous recognition at nearly every award he has been nominated for May December is edging him closer to securing an Oscar nomination. But what makes him a tough competition for the Hollywood legends like Robert Downey Jr. and Ryan Gosling? 

Can Charles Melton possibly outshine the Oppenheimer and Barbie stars?

Charles Melton tackled a multifaceted character in Todd Haynes’ film. His nuanced depiction of a socially awkward yet quietly powerful individual was what got him on everyone’s Oscar prediction list. On the other side of the spectrum, Robert Downey Jr. and Ryan Gosling took on the biggest hits of 2023. Gosling, a strong contender in the supporting actor category, brought the overlooked doll, Ken, to life in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. His performance was so convincing that it sparked an Oscars campaign to place him in the Best Actor category. 

Meanwhile, Downey Jr. delivered his best performance in about 15 years as Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer. The film’s strong potential for multiple Oscar nominations in 2024 is further making Downer Jr. a potential candidate in the best supporting actor category. With the presence of these seasoned actors with numerous honors, why does Charles Melton stand out in the Academy Awards?

What makes Charles Melton’s role in May December stand out among the rest? 

The major hurdle for both Barbie and Oppenheimer was the stark polarization of opinions regarding their messaging. Some praised Barbie for its attempt to question the patriarchy. However, others criticized it for being overly woke and insufficiently impactful to dismantle the monumental structure of society. On the other hand, with Oppenheimer, some admired Christopher Nolan’s brilliant direction and the cast’s remarkable performances. While others saw it as a glorification of toxicity and violence.

These divisive perspectives created a schism within the fanbase. It prevented the movies from bringing all movie buffs together under a single cinematic umbrella. This sole factor could potentially give May December and Charles Melton a slight edge over the roles portrayed by Ryan Gosling and Downey Jr. There were no divisive opinions about this movie and critics unanimously considered it as a masterful creation that is discomforting to contemplate. However, the official nominees for the most prestigious cinematic honor this year will only come to light on 23rd January.

What do you think about Charles Melton as a potential candidate for the Oscars’ Best Supporting Actor award? Let us know your thoughts in the comment below!