Joaquin Phoenix in Joker a huge favorite for Best Actor Oscar

During the 92nd Academy Awards this Sunday, February 9th, there will undoubtedly be surprises coming from the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. But if Joaquin Phoenix doesn’t win for Joker, you’ll need a team of oral surgeons to repair all the jaws hitting the red carpet.

Phoenix’s work in Joker has been lauded as elevating a script and direction that might have missed the mark, and is widely-considered some of his most captivating work despite the material. He’s already won the Golden Globe, the Screen Actors Guild Award, the BAFTA, the Critics Choice Award, and maybe an MVP or an All-Star roster spot we don’t know about yet.

You’ll have to put $50 down to make $1 on his winning, but as sure as a lock as it seems, there’s worse ways to create 2 percent interest.

If he was to falter, Adam Driver’s spellbinding performance in Marriage Story would be the reason. His work as a playwright and director in the midst of divorce did win the Gotham Award for Best Actor, but Phoenix wasn’t eligible as it lauds independent films only.

The performances in this category are excellent, and Leonardo DiCaprio as fledgling western star Rick Dalton is great as well — but Phoenix is very likely winning his first Oscar this Sunday on his fourth nomination.

Here are the current odds for Best Picture at the 92nd Academy Awards from DraftKings Sportsbook.

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