The nominations for the 97th Academy Awards have been announced, sparking excitement, debate, and inevitable disappointment. While some films have found their place in the Oscar spotlight, others have been left in the dark, leaving film fans wondering: has the Oscars 2025 missed the mark?
Snubs and Surprises
One of the misses of the year was Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers being overlooked for Best Original Score. The electronic soundtrack composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross was among the most distinctive film music of the year, yet it failed to earn a nomination. For a film that has been considered to be a modern classic, its absence from several major categories is a glaring omission.
Another painful snub comes from Clarence Maclin’s standout performance in Sing Sing, who saw no love for his supporting role as a convict. Despite widespread praise for the emotionally charged and personal performance, being an ex-convict himself. Similarly, Kneecap, a film many expected to at the very least earn praise for Best International Feature Film, was overlooked entirely, despite the strong representation of Irish cinema in the Academy Awards in recent years. With Cillian Murphy’s big win last year for Best Actor in his portrayal of Oppenheimer.
Daniel Craig’s performance in Queer also found itself absent from the nominations. Given that he has become a well-respected movie star, something the Academy typically rewards, it’s surprising that his daring role did not earn recognition. Meanwhile, Nickel Boys secured a Best Picture nomination but was surprisingly left out of the Best Cinematography category, despite its unique first-person perspective.
Horror Films are the Academy’s Usual Blind Spots
In a rare break from tradition, horror has managed to claw its way into the Best Picture race. The Substance marks only the seventh horror film in Oscar history to receive this nomination, with Demi Moore also earning her first-ever Academy Award nod for her performance. Historically, the Oscars have been hesitant to recognise horror films, but perhaps this fresh take on the body horror genre will be rewarded for its originality and commentary on society’s expectations of women.
The Emilia Pérez Controversy
Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez leads this year’s nominations with an unexpected 13 nods. Widespread discussions throughout social media platforms show the film has divided audiences, with some critics calling it a poorly executed blend of crime drama and musical, while others praise its bold storytelling and representation. Despite the mixed reception, the film has made history, with Karla Sofía Gascón becoming the first openly trans actress to receive an Oscar nomination.
Wicked’s Oscar Surge
Through an emotionally extensive and highly publicised press tour, the Broadway musical adaptation secured 10 nominations, including nods for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in their respective roles. While some sceptics argue that its nominations were driven more by fan engagement than cinematic merit, there’s no denying that Wicked has cemented itself as a major contender. It seems the Academy has indeed “held space” for this beloved musical; now it’s time to see if this is really true.
Grab Your Popcorn for March 3rd
The Oscars 2025 nominations have once again proven to be a mixed bag, filled with both historic moments and glaring omissions. While the Academy has taken strides in recognising horror films as an award-worthy genre and in increasing representation amongst nominees, it still struggles to fully embrace innovation in scoring, cinematography, and international cinema. As we head towards the ceremony on the 2nd of March, one thing remains certain: the debate over who truly deserves the Oscar gold is far from over.
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