Oscar 2016 : Best Actress

Brie Larson Wins the 2016 Oscar for Best Actress

After a few upsets in the supporting-performer categories, the presumptive winner, Brie Larson, took home the 2016 Oscar for best actress for her work in Room. Larson began her speech by thanking the Telluride Film Festival before moving on to thank her partner in the film, Jacob Tremblay, and her partner in life, Alex Greenwald. Larson capped off her speech by saying, “Thank you to the moviegoers. Thank you for going to the theaters and seeing our films.”

Back in September, Vanity Fair film critic Richard Lawson zeroed in on the film Room as a star-making performance for Brie Larson. “Excitingly,” he wrote, ”[Room] finds Larson making good on the promise she showed in the indie drama Short Term 12 two years ago. Larson was largely known for comedy prior to that film—she was on The United States of Tara and in 21 Jump Street—so her soulful, perceptive performance came as something of a revelation. Now, in Room, Larson tackles even weightier stuff, and proves herself more than up to the task.”

And that’s the most rewarding thing about this best-actress win for Larson. She’s been around show business since she was a kid and has slowly and steadily picked up admirers. And whether it was stealing every second of her limited screen time in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World or providing an emotional anchor to this summer’s Trainwreck, Larson has always been the kind of supporting player who shines so brightly she reflects light onto her co-stars. So it should come as no surprise that, when she turned that star power up to full leading-lady blast, she would turn even the most devastating story into something warm and lovely. Basking in her glow (and behind-the-scenes help), young actor Tremblay turned in an equally impressive performance that made Room the kind of destined-for-Oscar two-hander that awards-season narratives are made of.

And so at the tender age of 26—but 18 years into her Hollywood career—Larson took home film’s top acting prize. We can’t wait to see where she shines her light next.

Photos:Brie Larson vs. Saoirse Ronan: A Best-Actress Fashion Face-Off

True blue! The best-actress front-runners look sublime in muted shades of cerulean. Saoirse Ronan is so regal in her Antonio Berardi gown we almost expected it to come with a matching gold throne. Brie Larson couldn’t choose just one flourish: her Versace dress has an asymmetrical neckline, high slit, and a cutout along the bodice. So subtle! Ronan wins this round, though Larson gets honorable mention for choosing her dress just two hours before the SAG Awards started.

Both from PatrickMcMullan.com.

Photos:Brie Larson vs. Saoirse Ronan: A Best-Actress Fashion Face-Off

As both actresses well know, one can never have too many embellishments. They upgraded the standard L.B.D., choosing black frocks festooned with sequins and glitter: Ronan in Burberry at the British Independent Film Awards, and Brie Larson in Rodarte at the A24 premiere of Room. As you can never go wrong with sparkle, we’re declaring this one a tie.

Left, by Gabriel Olsen/FilmMagic, right, by Karwai Tang/WireImage, both from Getty Images.

Photos:Brie Larson vs. Saoirse Ronan: A Best-Actress Fashion Face-Off

Both stars prefer their red looks with a side of 90s nostalgia: thin Clueless-worthy straps and cap sleeves.

Left, from PatrickMcMullan.com; Right, by Don Arnold/WireImage/Getty Images.

Photos:Brie Larson vs. Saoirse Ronan: A Best-Actress Fashion Face-Off

Could they look any more elegant? Saoirse Ronan wowed in silk emerald Valentino at the Grand Budapest Hotel premiere. But our vote goes to Brie Larson for the perfect fit of her Jason Wu dress at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Left, by Jason Merritt, right, by Andreas Rentz, both from Getty Images.

Photos:Brie Larson vs. Saoirse Ronan: A Best-Actress Fashion Face-Off

If layering is an art form, Ronan and Larson are modern-day Picassos. They style their separates with aplomb, teaming blue jackets brilliantly with printed shirts and shorts. We couldn’t pick a favorite if we tried.

Left, by Valerie Macon/Getty Images; Right, from Splash News.

Photos:Brie Larson vs. Saoirse Ronan: A Best-Actress Fashion Face-Off

Both Larson and Ronan know the value of the perfect black-and-white look, wearing nearly identical color-block dresses. True to form, Larson was a bit more adventurous. Her Giambattista Valli dress featured lace, check print, and floral, while Ronan kept it (relatively) subtle in ruffled Miu Miu. Is it wrong that we want both dresses?

Left, by Jamie McCarthy, right, by Mike Marsland/WireImage, both from Getty Images.

Photos:Brie Larson vs. Saoirse Ronan: A Best-Actress Fashion Face-Off

What woman can resist the subtle allure of a one-shoulder L.B.D.? Brie Larson looks dreamy in sequined Rodarte, one of her go-to designers. Still, Saoirse Ronan wins this battle for making a Victoria Beckham dress look as effortless as a T-shirt and jeans.

Left, from PatrickMcMullan.com; Right, by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images.

Photos:Brie Larson vs. Saoirse Ronan: A Best-Actress Fashion Face-Off

When it’s time to wear the pants, Brie and Saoirse both opt for the wide-leg, navy style—and throw in printed tops for good measure.

Left, by Jason Merrit, right, from NBC, both from Getty Images.

Photos:Brie Larson vs. Saoirse Ronan: A Best-Actress Fashion Face-Off

Don’t they look like the Hollywood version of angels? Here we have Saoirse Ronan—in Simone Rocha at the The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part 2 premiere—and Brie Larson—in Escada at the The Lego Movie premiere—right after they fell from heaven.

Left, by Imeh Akpanudosen, right, by Christopher Polk, both from Getty Images.

Photos:Brie Larson vs. Saoirse Ronan: A Best-Actress Fashion Face-Off

Not just any woman can pull off a suit. The tailoring must be perfect. Of course, that’s no challenge for Larson and Ronan, who both nail the trend effortlessly. 

Left, by Frazer Harrison, right, by Dan MacMedan/WireImage, both from Getty Images.