Another award for Spotlight carried without its director, who almost won the balloting, but failed to appear on a majority of ballots. Other than that, this group’s appreciation for Creed is a bit surprising and the closeness of the races is evinced by the fact that only three categories had a hefty number of points assigned to its winners (Actress, Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress).

Award Tallies

(2) Carol, Spotlight

The Awards

Best Picture

1. Spotlight (23 points)
2. Carol (17 points)
3. Mad Max: Fury Road (13 points)

Best Director

1. Todd Haynes – Carol (21 points)
2. Tom McCarthy – Spotlight (21 points)
3. George Miller – Mad Max: Fury Road (20 points)

Best Actor

1. Michael B. Jordan – Creed (29 points)
2. Geza Rohrig – Son of Saul (18 points)
3. Tom Courtenay – 45 Years (15 points)

Best Actress

1. Charlotte Rampling – 45 Years (57 points)
2. Saoirse Ronan – Brooklyn (30 points)
3. Nina Hoss – Phoenix (22 points)

Best Supporting Actor

1. Mark Rylance – Bridge of Spies (56 points)
2. Michael Shannon – 99 Homes (16 points)
3. Sylvester Stallone – Creed (14 points)

Best Supporting Actress

1. Kristen Stewart – Clouds of Sils Maria (53 points)
2. Alicia Vikander – Ex Machina (23 points)
3. Kate Winslet – Steve Jobs (17 points)

Best Screenplay

1. Spotlight (21 points)
2. Anomalisa (15 points)
3. The Big Short (15 points)

Best Cinematography

1. Carol (25 points)
2. The Assassin (22 points)
3. Mad Max: Fury Road (12 points)

Best Foreign-Language Film

1. Timbuktu (22 points)
2. Phoenix (20 points)
3. The Assassin (16 points)

Best Non-Fiction Film

1. Amy (23 points)
2. In Jackson Heights (18 points)
3. Seymour: An Introduction (15 points)

National Society of Film Critics Data

Year Founded: 1966
First Awards: 1966 (50)