Golden Globe Winner Predictions: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

The competition:
Bradley Cooper (A Star is Born) plays alcoholic country star Jackson Maine. Cooper’s film is nominated for Best Motion Picture – Drama, and he is a double nominee, also cited for his direction. He was previously nominated for “American Hustle” and “Silver Linings Playbook.”

Willem Dafoe (At Eternity’s Gate) plays painter Vincent Van Gogh. He was nominated last year for “The Florida Project” and in 2000 for “Shadow of the Vampire.” He is the lone representation of his film.

Lucas Hedges (Boy Erased) plays Jared Eamons, an Arkansas teenager sent to gay conversion therapy by his religious patients. His film contends for Best Original Song. This is his first Globe nomination.

Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody) plays legendary rocker Freddie Mercury. His film is nominated for Best Motion Picture – Drama. He was nominated in 2016 and 2017 for his starring role in the television series “Mr. Robot.”

John David Washington (BlacKkKlansman) plays Officer Ron Stallworth, who goes undercover to join the KKK. His film is nominated for Best Motion Picture – Drama. This is his first nomination, taking over for his father, Denzel, who was honored in this category the past two years.

Additional notes: Cooper, Malek, and Washington are also nominated both individually and as part of their ensembles at the SAG Awards. The winner of this award has gone on to win the Oscar all but three times in the past fifteen years.
Who should win? I like all of these performers. Dafoe was strong even when his film dragged. Hedges, in one of multiple performances this year, felt especially authentic. Washington got into the style of his film and served as its driving energy. Cooper was serious and captivating. Malek gets my vote for his completely consumed musical deep dive.
Who will win? Many are backing Cooper, whose film is expected to win Best Motion Picture – Drama, but I think that Malek is the one who will prevail.