Early critical reception and festival premieres are shaping the 2027 Best Supporting Actor race, with Paul Giamatti’s subtle turn in A24’s “The Debut” emerging as a leading contender thanks to his overdue narrative after prior nominations. Andrew Garfield’s intense performance as Sam Altman in Neon’s “Artificial” gained significant momentum following its New York Film Festival debut, positioning him as a potential spoiler. Other frontrunners include Sam Rockwell in “Wild Horse Nine,” John Leguizamo in Universal’s “The Odyssey,” and Guitarricadelafuente in Netflix’s “La Bola Negra,” bolstered by strong reviews out of Venice and Telluride. With many contenders still rolling out theatrically this fall, guild nominations and precursor awards will serve as key signals ahead of the January 2027 Oscar nominations.