Marianne Jean-Baptiste is generating Oscar buzz for her riveting performance in Hard Truths, a drama directed by Mike Leigh.
The film, which explores themes of depression and strained relationships, marks a reunion between the actress and director following their critically acclaimed collaboration on Secrets & Lies (1996), which earned Jean-Baptiste her first Oscar nomination.
If Jean-Baptiste secures another nomination, she would join an elite group of Black actresses — including Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Bassett, Octavia Spencer, and Viola Davis — with multiple Academy Award nods.
According to Gold Derby, she has climbed to the top five contenders for Best Actress, backed by strong odds and industry experts.
In an interview with Deadline, Jean-Baptiste reflected on her dynamic with Leigh:
“We established such a tight history, like Sunday dinner with families when you ask, ‘Who’s bringing the coleslaw?’”
Leigh praised the project as a continuation of his commitment to exploring diverse societal narratives, saying:
“For me, it’s about looking at people and society and life and the way we are – all of us.”
Hard Truths opens in limited theaters on December 6, just ahead of the Golden Globe nominations on December 9. The film is produced by Bleecker Street and will be distributed in the UK by Studiocanal in January.
The Oscars ceremony, set for March 2, 2025, will be hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien, who humorously announced his role by quipping:
“America demanded it and now it’s happening: Taco Bell’s new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I’m hosting the Oscars.”
The 97th Academy Awards will air live on ABC at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, with a red carpet pre-show starting at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.
