Best Actor 2017

My top choices in the order I would place them on my Academy ballot if I were allowed to vote. In other words, this is my top five, but I acknowledge that this list is already influenced by awards buzz. They are not in order of my preference. Instead, the actors whom I think would theoretically benefit the most from my vote are at the top.

HARRIS DICKINSON, Beach Rats

CLAES BANG, The Square

JEREMY RENNER, Wind River

TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET, Call Me by Your Name

GARY OLDMAN, Darkest Hour

Also loved:

Märt Avandi, Miekkailija (The Fencer)
Christian Bale, Hostiles
Sam Claflin, Their Finest
Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread
Jake Gyllenhaal, Stronger
Sukollawat Kanarot, Malila: the Farewell Flower (มะลิลา)
Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, 120 Battements par Minute (Beats per Minute)
Aleksey Rozin, Loveless (Нелюбовь)
Denzel Washington, Roman J. Israel, Esq.

Apologies to:

Lior Ashkenazi (Foxtrot) and Jamie Bell (Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool), whose films I have not yet seen.

Related:

My Best Actor picks from past years (2004-2016)
My Best Actress picks from 2017
My Best Supporting Actress picks from 2017
My Best Supporting Actor picks from 2017