Oscar nom snubs and surprises: Despite some exciting nods, this tight race looks even more uncertain

In the weeks before Oscar Nominations Typically, the race begins to narrow and a clearer picture emerges of which films will be selected for each category by Academy voters. But this year, the race has become murkier and stranger as time goes on. Movies like “Anura“”Maria“and”Brutal“— which seemed like certain things for slots in the top five categories just a few months ago — are becoming less certain as late-stage wildcard contenders like “evil“and”concave“It gained traction among general audiences, and thus Oscar voters.

Then there was the Emilia Perez question. Although separator Critics and audiences With its controversial portrayal of a cartel leader who uses gender-affirming surgical transition as a redemptive arc, the film was a hit at this month’s Golden Globe Awards. Even though the Globes represent a group of international voters only, it was impossible to ignore the massive 10 nominations they delivered for the film. The Academy echoed this morning, honoring Emilia Perez with an astonishing 13 nominations, including a historic nomination for star. Carla Sophia Jasonwho became the first transgender actor to be nominated for an Academy Award.

“Emilia Pérez” also took home the award for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy at the Globes on January 5, quickly highlighting the film as Netflix’s top contender at the Oscars, leading to “Maria” ranking at the bottom of the pack. . “The Brutalist” took home the parallel at the Globes, taking gold for Best Motion Picture, Drama and Best Director. But the sprawling epic, produced on a shoestring budget, failed to make much of a splash among Screen Actors Guild voters, and was ultimately shut out of the SAG Awards’ top category because of “Wicked.” And of course there isArticle“, the little movie that could. The body horror movie was a surprise hit at the box office and was surprising It also rewards voters, and rubs along with “The last showgirl“As a showcase of dramatic talent that has long been overlooked.

With the rush to the Oscars on Sunday prepare to race and watch Bowen Yang and Rachel Sinnott Announce The nominations certainly prepared for a cold winter morning. But which of these films made it through the race and which were left out? Read on to learn about the biggest surprises and most stunning flops from the 2025 Academy Awards nominations.

Surprise: Demi Moore has ‘substance’

With over four decades of film work under her belt, Demi Moore She finally received her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her dramatic work in “The Substance.” Moore went Full tilt fierce In French director Coralie Farget’s latest film, she plays Elizabeth Sparkle, an aging Tinseltown star, who takes a mysterious anti-aging drug that promises her beauty and success. development? A younger, more perfect version emerges from her back for seven days, and has complete control over Elizabeth’s life despite the two women being technically the same person. Moore is amazing in the movie. Funny, bold, and very real in the ways she juxtaposes her character with first-hand experience in a discriminatory industry. It’s not just a well-deserved nod, but a new chapter for Moore.

SNUB: Marianne Jean-Baptiste has been excluded from the nail-biting category

The Best Actress in a Leading Role category had been changing non-stop in the weeks leading up to Oscar nomination morning, and there were three deserving actresses vying for the precarious 11th spot: Pamela Anderson, Fernanda Torres, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste. . Unfortunately, it was Jean-Baptiste who stunned critics with her scorching, unforgettable turn in Mike Leigh’s “Hard facts“, which was ultimately axed. Jean-Baptiste gave a brilliant performance as Pansy, the beleaguered mother and wife seething with rage and confusion she can’t quite understand. While Jean-Baptiste’s stunning performance was nominated for a BAFTA, it would have been nice to see her win gold too.

Surprise: “Nickel Boys” and “I’m Still Here” compete for best picture

The Best Picture race has been close over the past few months, with…Nickel Boys“and”I’m still hereThese films have been largely nonexistent in the big categories among industry voting bodies, and it was a pleasant shock to see them make it into the Oscars competition. Although both films have their artistic strengths, they are best viewed as complete works, with their evocative ways of manipulating image and memory to stay with the viewer long after the credits have rolled. While “I’m Still Here” was nominated for Best International Film, its inclusion in the main category is a huge win for Brazil, which has only had two other films nominated in this group in Oscars history.

SNUB: ‘The Challengers’ score fails to excite Oscar voters

Despite scoring a big win at the Golden Globes earlier this month, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ pulsing electronic score for director Luca Guadagnino’s sex- and race-laden tennis drama “United” It missed out on nomination for the Achievement in Music Award, Original Score. (Not to mention, it failed to get a nod for motion editing as well.) While other nominated films like The Brutalist and Conclave had memorable arrangements, it’s undeniable that Reznor and Ross’ beats Amazing were some of the best and most exciting original compositions in films last year. One look at social media and you’ll find only on everyone Echoing this sentiment. Perhaps the slightly pulsating techno music was too funky for the more disciplined members of the Academy?

Surprise: Sebastian Stan got a nomination to play Trump, three days after the inauguration

Sebastian Stan It’s been a historic awards season so far, drawing attention to both.”A different man“and”trainee“, winning a Golden Globe for the first. But that was Stan’s work in The Apprentice, a biographical film The early years to Donald TrumpA career that highlighted his eventual rise to power in politics, and which connected with academy voters. Late last year, Stan spoke up in public About how he was offered a spot in The Hollywood Reporter’s “Actors on Actors” talks, which ultimately didn’t happen because the other actors were too cagey to talk about Trump. If Stan can pull off a win in this category, under a second Trump regime – sorry, administration – Find the acceptance speech in which the scientist (and the president) will speak.

SNUB: It was really the last show, girl

Gia CoppolaThe last showgirl“It actually performed better in the awards race this year than most people initially thought it would. The film gained traction among viewers who finally got to see it after dragging their feet to a wide opening, and it went on to pull in several acting nominations at The Golden Globes.” It was perhaps the lack of long-term audience buzz that hampered the film’s chances at the Oscars, as it was excluded from the nominations entirely with a stipulation Jamie Lee Curtis Already a two-time Academy Award winner and BAFTA nominated for “The Last Showgirl,” some critics thought Curtis might beat out the film’s leading lady, Pamela Anderson, for a supporting nomination. As it turns out, it wasn’t in the cards for either actress, which is a tough blow for Anderson considering the momentum behind her. Stirring Back on screen. But on the bright side, Anderson’s success revitalized her dramatic career and put her at a new level that audiences and Anderson herself thought she might never reach. Mark my words: This isn’t the last we’ll see of this showgirl.

Surprise: Fernanda Torres is actually still here

The aforementioned controversial Best Actress race may have brought major snubs to Marianne Jean-Baptiste, but it also gave us a major surprise in Fernanda Torres, her nominee. Extraordinary performance In “I’m Still Here”. As Eunice Paiva, the real-life wife of a Brazilian political prisoner who has disappeared, Torres gives one of the most moving performances of any film in the past year. Watching her work, it’s no surprise that she’s been able to stay ahead of other competitors like her Nicole Kidman And even Pamela Anderson. Torres is remarkably stoic in the face of sudden loss, holding her family — and the film — together with beautiful motherly love. In this regard, Torres’ nomination is also a bit poetic. The only other Brazilian actress ever nominated for an Oscar is Torres’ mother, Fernanda Montenegro, who was nominated in 1999 for “Central Station.” Extra cherry kismet on top? Torres and Montenegro play Eunice Paiva at different stages of her life in “I’m Still Here.”

SNUB: Your most famous directorial achievement is nowhere to be seen

While Brady Corbett is on the fast track to Oscar gold as hype builds around “The Brutalist,” a film that critics have described as “huge.” It pales in comparison To RaMell Ross’ amazing direction in “Nickel Boys.” Corbett’s work is certainly impressive, but much of it is flash with very little substance at the heart of the film itself. However, Ross took an unconventional approach to “Nickel Boys,” shooting the film from a first-person perspective, meaning viewers could see the film through the character’s eyes. Other directors may have relied on this technique as a gimmick, but Ross used it as a way to peer into the viewer’s soul, directly communicating the vitality being stripped from his characters as they toiled in a segregated reform school in the Jim Crow era. Florida. Ross’s work is unparalleled, especially when compared to James Mangold efforts in “Completely anonymous“, which was nominated instead. Mangold’s film is a straightforward, unremarkable biopic. Ross is an incomparable masterpiece. Although the Oscars are more global and diverse than ever, it seems Academy voters haven’t given up yet about their claims when considering a truly noteworthy work that doesn’t fall neatly into the box.

verify Full list Among the nominees for the 2025 Academy Awards.

The 97th Academy Awards will air on Sunday, March 2 at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT