Rose Byrne Overtakes Jessie Buckley in Best Actress Oscar Odds Shift
Rose Byrne is dominating the conversation for the Best Actress category at the upcoming Academy Awards. Her remarkable journey has seen her leap from a long-shot contender to a frontrunner for the 98th Oscars.
Oscar Nomination Predictions
Byrne’s surge in popularity is largely due to her outstanding performance in the film *If I Had Legs I’d Kick You*. This film has not only earned her critical acclaim but has also positioned her at the top of Gold Derby’s predicted Oscar nominees list.
Critical Acclaim and Awards
Recently, Byrne triumphed in several prestigious critic groups. She secured Best Actress awards from:
- New York Film Critics Circle
- National Board of Review
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association
This accomplishment marks a significant moment in award season, reminiscent of Helen Mirren’s sweep in 2006 for *The Queen*.
With this momentum, Byrne has surpassed Jessie Buckley, who initially seemed to dominate the category with her performance in *Hamnet*. Buckley has now dropped to the second position.
Top Contenders for Best Actress
The current top five contenders for the Best Actress Oscar include:
- Rose Byrne (*If I Had Legs I’d Kick You*)
- Jessie Buckley (*Hamnet*)
- Renate Reinsve (*Sentimental Value*)
- Emma Stone (*Bugonia*)
- Chase Infiniti (*One Battle After Another*)
Film and Performance Highlights
Byrne’s portrayal of Linda, a therapist experiencing a darkly comedic breakdown, has garnered widespread praise. The film, directed by Mary Bronstein, boasts a strong supporting cast that includes Conan O’Brien and Christian Slater. It currently holds a 92% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting its positive reception.
Upcoming Awards and Events
Byrne is also nominated for Best Film Comedy/Musical Actress at the 2026 Golden Globes. Here, she will compete against a strong lineup of actresses such as Cynthia Erivo and Amanda Seyfried. Notably, her primary rivals for the Oscar, Buckley and Reinsve, are nominated in the Drama category, giving Byrne an advantageous position.
Her performance will be first evaluated at the Critics Choice Awards on January 4. She faces tough competition from notable actresses including Buckley and Stone. However, it is important to note that winning this award does not guarantee an Oscar victory; only two Critics Choice winners in the last five years have gone on to receive an Oscar.
Before this event, Byrne will practice her acceptance speech at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, where she will receive the Breakthrough Performance Award on January 3.
