Delayed by a month to avoid conflict with the Beijing Olympics, the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony will air on ABC this Sunday.

Following the notably troubled, unorthodox 2021 Oscars broadcast, this year’s ceremony aims to draw in viewers through a variety of changes, including the use of a three-act structure, in which Regina Hall (“Breaking News in Yuba County”), Amy Schumer (“Trainwreck”) and Wanda Sykes (“Bad Moms”) are slated to individually host each part.

Like past years, the ceremony has been subject to significant speculation among fans and the media regarding who will take home the gold in each of its categories. With this in mind, Laker Review has also thrown its hat in the ring, presenting predictions for some of the night’s most prestigious awards.

Best Picture: “The Power of the Dog”

Running against strong opponents like “Drive My Car” and “Licorice Pizza,” “The Power of the Dog’s” assured direction, fantastic cinematography, strong performances and subversive themes may be enough to give it an advantage against the competition. Dealing with concepts like coping with one’s sexual insecurities and toxic masculinity through the lens of the Old West, the film deserves significant praise and recognition for the important conversations it sparks regarding sexuality and acceptance. Continuing director Jane Campion’s (“The Piano”) successful run bending genres and gender roles, the film stands out as one of the most unique and powerful modern Westerns.

Best Director: Jane Campion, “The Power of the Dog”

In many Oscars ceremonies, the winner of Best Director generally coincides with the Best Picture recipient. As such, it only seems fitting to predict that Campion will be rewarded for her work on “The Power of the Dog.” Having previously won the award for Best Original Screenplay and nominated for Best Director, among other honors, Campion has proven herself to be one of modern cinema’s most capable and elite writer-directors. If she were to win in the category, she would be only the third woman to do so, following Kathryn Bigelow (“The Hurt Locker”) and last year’s winner, Chloé Zhao (“Nomadland”).

Best Actor: Andrew Garfield, “Tick, Tick… Boom!”

In a year defined by his return to the role of Peter Parker in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” Andrew Garfield (“The Eyes of Tammy Faye”) also delivered arguably the best performance of his career in the semi-autobiographical musical “Tick, Tick.. Boom!” Portraying the eccentric, yet conflicted, composer Jonathan Larson (“Rent”) during the early stages of his career,   Garfield showcases a high quantity of energy and emotional range unseen in his prior roles. To further plead his case, the unprecented prowess Garfield displays as a singer in the film demonstrates a level of growth and flexibility that make him all the more deserving of receiving an honor as prestigious as the Oscar for Best Actor.

Best Actress: Kristen Stewart, “Spencer”

Having moved far past her “Twilight” days, Kristen Stewart (“Happiest Season”) seems destined to achieve Oscars glory after giving her stellar performance as the troubled Diana, Princess of Wales. Showing Diana in the midst of an existential crisis, Stewart practically carries “Spencer” with her hypnotic take on the late princess. Though her actions and mannerisms are slightly exaggerated for the purpose of depicting “Spencer” as a psychological thriller, Stewart makes the best of the creative liberties the film takes, giving an uncanny performance as the late princess while subtly exaggerating her struggles and emotions conveyed.

Best Animated Feature: “Encanto”

Boasting three consecutive wins in the Best Animated Feature Film category, the Walt Disney Company is looking to continue this successful streak in 2022. Taking into account “Encanto’s” refreshing narrative, spirited soundtrack and recent rise in popularity, it seems the film is destined to be showered with accolades during the awards season. With strong contenders like “Raya and the Last Dragon” and Pixar’s “Luca” also in the running, it seems the odds are in Disney’s favor to experience yet another victory in the category. 

Best Original Song: “No Time to Die”

Though this year’s pool of nominees for Best Original Song may feature representation from “Encanto” through “Dos Oruguitas,” Disney’s puzzling decision not to campaign for “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” ultimately renders another song to be the stronger contender. Performed by Billie Eilish (“Happier Than Ever”), “No Time to Die” serves as the theme song for the “James Bond” film of the same name. Bolstered by Eilish’s somber, chilling vocals and fittingly haunting, reflective lyrics, the song also benefits from the successful track record of modern “Bond” songs at the Oscars, with its predecessors “Writing’s on the Wall” by Sam Smith (“Stay With Me”) and “Skyfall” by Adele (“Rolling in the Deep”) both having previously won the same award.

Best Cinematography: “Dune”

After helming the sci-fi triumphs “Arrival” and “Blade Runner 2049,” director Denis Villeneuve (“Sicario”) proved he would be more than capable of taking on a project as challenging as an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s (“The White Plague”) sci-fi epic “Dune.” Aside from its faithful narrative, memorable performances and impressive score, Villeneuve’s rendition of “Dune” stands out for its awe-inspiring visuals. With Greig Fraser (“The Batman”) in charge of cinematography, the film’s vibrant color palette, sharp camerawork and scope do wonders in immersing viewers in its harsh, yet breathtaking otheworldly desert setting.

After last year’s disappointing ceremony, one could only hope the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will  have a stellar presentation planned this year. With a stellar group of nominees in the running for each category, a high bar has already been set for “Hollywood’s Biggest Night