Alicia Vikander was named the 88th recipient of the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at this evening’s Academy Awards ceremony. Recognized for her performance as the steadfast, patient wife of transgender trailblazer Lili Elbe in The Danish Girl, Vikander’s name was announced by last year’s Best Supporting Actor winner, J.K. Simmons. This win represents the cap of an extremely strong year for the young actress; not only did she win over the Academy with her quiet, sensitive turn in The Danish Girl, she made robot fetishists out of us all with her stunning role in Ex Machina, and jerked a few tears out of the arthouse crowd with her role in Testament of Youth. (Non-professionally, she entered into a relationship with Michael Fassbender this year, which ain’t too shabby either.)
The first-time nominee was visibly overcome with emotion as she accepted her award, saying, “‘Thank you so much to the Academy for this recognition. And Eddie, where are you? There you are! Thank you for being the best acting partner. You raised my game!”
Vikander is on the precipice of another banner year, slated to appear with Fassbender in Derek Cianfrance’s upcoming film The Light Between Oceans, a possible awards horse. In 2010, Cianfrance’s excruciating romantic drama Blue Valentine earned star Michelle Williams a nomination for Best Actress, though she didn’t win. With any luck, Vikander could be back up on that stage at this time next year.
