Here in the final stages of the 2026 Oscar season, several Academy Awards voters have revealed their ballots to Gold Derby, telling us who they voted for — and why. We promised to keep their identities confidential and their comments unfiltered. With the polls officially closed as of 5 p.m. PT on March 5, we will start sharing a few of the no-longer-secret ballots with you. Below are the selections of Voter 1.
BEST PICTURE: One Battle After Another
It’s one of those years for me when part of it is easy, and I love a film that much from the minute I see it. It happened for me last year with The Brutalist, and it didn’t pan out the way I hoped. They both share this unique epic vision beautifully realized, but One Battle is just head and shoulders even above that. I’m kind of unshakeable on that one. Second place is Sinners. Third place is Sentimental Value.
BEST DIRECTOR: Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)
The film is a masterpiece, and he is at the top of his game. I have loved him forever, you know, going back to Boogie Nights. It’s epic storytelling with such a light touch.
BEST ACTRESS: Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
It was really a wonderful performance by Jessie Buckley, even though there are many in that category who are great. One that surprised me was Emma Stone in Bugonia. It had kind of a mixed reception, but I was blown away. But I thought Jessie was head and shoulders above. I thought maybe her toughest competition would be Rose Byrne. Even though that was a Herculean performance, the movie didn’t make a lot of sense to me.
BEST ACTOR: Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another)
I thought it was maybe the movie of the year and maybe of the decade. Leo was fantastic, and I’m an admirer of his. It was a really tough competitive category this year.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another)
Teyana had an instantly iconic role, and I thought she was amazing. Again, very strong competition.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value)
The minute I saw One Battle, I thought Sean Penn had it locked up. But then, I think Stellan Skarsgård is really terrific. You could also argue he is overdue. But it was really up in the air, and that also included Delroy Lindo for Sinners.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: One Battle After Another
I had not read the book [Vineland by Thomas Pynchon], but what I saw from Paul Thomas Anderson was a very cohesive work. It made a lot of political points lightly with a juggling of genres. It was brilliant and remarkable.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Sinners
This one was a little trickier, but it’s Sinners. I had It Was Just an Accident for a long time, but Sinners was so inventive and also a great juggling of genres.
