Key Highlights
- Elle Fanning’s nomination for “Sentimental Value” came as a surprise.
- “F1,” starring Brad Pitt, surprisingly made it into the best picture category.
- Sinners received 16 nominations, breaking the record set by previous winners.
- Wicked’s sequel failed to make any Oscar nominations, marking a significant fall from grace.
The Surprises of Oscar Nominations: Eight Key Takeaways
In the early hours of Thursday morning, the 94th Academy Awards nominations were revealed, and they brought with them an array of surprises that left many in the entertainment industry abuzz. Among the most notable were a few hot favourites missing out on awards, a comfort-food film making unexpected waves, and a blockbuster breaking records. Here are eight surprising takeaways from this year’s Oscar nominations.
1. Hot Favourites Missed the Mark
In what was seen as a competitive category, Paul Mescal’s performance in “Hamnet” missed out on a supporting actor nomination. The omission of his co-star Jessie Buckley also drew attention, even though both were widely expected to be recognised. Similarly, Jesse Plemons and Joel Edgerton, despite their films making it into the best picture category, failed to secure acting nods for their respective roles in “Bugonia” and “Train Dreams.” These snubs highlight the unpredictable nature of Oscar nominations.
2. “F1”: A Comfort-Food Film
The announcement that Brad Pitt’s “F1,” a film about a racing driver brought out of retirement, had made it into the best picture category was unexpected and somewhat shocking. While many awards pundits expected it to secure several technical nominations for its impressive production values, its inclusion in the main race was a testament to the Academy’s appreciation for traditional filmmaking.
3. Sinners: A Record-Breaking Success
Ryan Coogler’s vampire horror film “Sinners” scored a record-breaking 16 nominations, surpassing previous joint records set by films like “La La Land,” “Titanic,” and “All About Eve.” This success for the film not only highlights its artistic achievements but also underscores the Academy’s recognition of unconventional genres. Delroy Lindo’s nomination as best actor was perhaps one of the biggest surprises, considering he narrowly missed a similar award a few years ago.
4. Wicked’s Sequel Fails to Charm
The first “Wicked” film received 10 Oscar nominations and won two; however, its sequel, “Wicked: For Good,” failed to secure any nominations despite having a star-studded cast including Ariana Grande. This significant fall from grace was somewhat expected due to the weaker reception of the second act of the stage show. Despite the disappointment, there were some silver linings, such as “Avatar: Fire and Ash” receiving technical nominations for visual effects and costume design.
5. The Brits Showed Up
In a year lacking British representation, Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo’s nominations in the acting categories were noteworthy. Both actors’ recognitions indicate a strong presence of “Sinners” across the Academy. Lindo’s nomination felt long overdue for his first-ever Oscar nod.
6. Actresses Carry Their Films
Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, and Amy Madigan each received individual nominations for their respective films: “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” “Song Sung Blue,” and “Weapons.” These recognitions highlight the importance of strong female performances in a year that was otherwise short on mainstream Hollywood actors.
7. New Category Is a Mixed Bag
The newly introduced casting category saw nominations for several frontrunners, but one film notably missed out: “Sentimental Value.” Despite its four individual acting nods, the film failed to secure a casting nomination, leaving some to question the overlap between the new and existing categories.
8. Timothée Closer to Greatness
Timothée Chalamet’s performance in “Marty Supreme” is likely to bring him his first Oscar win as he stands as a clear frontrunner for best actor. With his third nomination and the youngest actor since Marlon Brando to receive three nominations for best leading actor, Chalamet seems well on his way to achieving his goal of being considered one of Hollywood’s greats.
The 94th Academy Awards nominations have certainly thrown a few curveballs but also reinforced the unpredictability and depth of the film industry. As we look forward to the ceremony in March, these surprises will undoubtedly add to the excitement surrounding this year’s awards season.
