Welcome to For Your Consideration, HuffPost Entertainment's breakdown of all things Oscar. Between now and Feb. 22, 2015, entertainment managing editor Christopher Rosen and entertainment editor Matthew Jacobs will pore over awards season and discuss which films will make the most noise at the 87th annual Academy Awards.
This year's men are packed into the Best Actor race like sardines, but don't discount the women: There are a surfeit of commendable female performances in play, from a Reese Witherspoon comeback to potential first nods for Shailene Woodley and Kristen Stewart to super-duper long shots like Angelina Jolie and Kristen Wiig. Here are 20 contenders -- including two Jessica Chastain performances -- vying for a Best Actress nod between now and Jan. 15, when Oscar nominations are announced.