Anna Daniels
This year’s Oscars, scheduled for 2025, have stirred excitement with “Emilia Perez” topping the nominations with an outstanding 13 nods. The list of nominees showcases the Academy’s appreciation for diverse and bold storytelling in cinema.
Unexpected Nominations
- “I’m Still Here” by Walter Salles has made a remarkable entrance in the Best Picture race, highlighting the strength of Brazilian storytelling. Fernanda Torres’ nomination for Best Actress shows that subtle films can leave a strong impact.
- Sebastian Stan shines in “The Apprentice,” earning a Best Actor nomination and sparking discussions about notable omissions, particularly Daniel Craig for “Queer.”
Significant Omissions
- Denis Villeneuve’s exclusion from the Best Director category for “Dune: Part Two” raises eyebrows, hinting at possible differences in how directorial achievements are perceived.
- The unrecognized score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for “Challengers” prompts a reevaluation of the Academy’s musical preferences.
Key Films
- “Emilia Perez” sets a new standard for non-English nominations, illustrating the universal language of film while combining drama and rich cultural themes.
- “Wicked” stands strong with 10 nominations, reaffirming the enduring appeal of musicals in cinema, which blend visual flair with meaningful narratives.
- “The Brutalist” also garners 10 nods, recognized for its impressive visual style and the poignant metaphor of architecture reflecting human experience.
Analytical Insights
- The nomination of “I’m Still Here” for Best Picture indicates a shift towards valuing narratives that may not necessarily be commercial successes, but are profound in their storytelling.
- “Challengers” missing the nomination might reflect a more conservative Academy stance on innovative genres and narrative styles.
Complete Nominations for the 2025 Oscars:
Best Picture
- Anora
- The Brutalist
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Dune: Part Two
- Emilia Pérez
- I’m Still Here
- Nickel Boys
- The Substance
- Wicked
Best Actor
- Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”
- Timothée Chalamet, “A Complete Unknown”
- Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing”
- Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave”
- Sebastian Stan, “The Apprentice”
Best Actress
- Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked”
- Karla Sofía Gascón, “Emilia Pérez”
- Mikey Madison, “Anora”
- Demi Moore, “The Substance”
- Fernanda Torres, “I’m Still Here”
Best Director
- Sean Baker, “Anora”
- Brady Corbet, “The Brutalist”
- James Mangold, “A Complete Unknown”
- Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Pérez”
- Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”
Best International Feature Film
- I’m Still Here, Brazil
- The Girl with the Needle, Denmark
- Emilia Pérez, France
- The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Germany
- Flow, Latvia
Best Animated Film
- Flow
- Inside Out 2
- Memoir of a Snail
- Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
- The Wild Robot
Best Production Design
- The Brutalist
- Conclave
- Dune: Part Two
- Nosferatu
- Wicked
Best Editing
- Anora
- The Brutalist
- Conclave
- Emilia Pérez
- Wicked
Best Sound
- A Complete Unknown
- Dune: Part Two
- Emilia Pérez
- Wicked
- The Wild Robot
Best Visual Effects
- Alien: Romulus
- Better Man
- Dune: Part Two
- Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
- Wicked
Best Cinematography
- The Brutalist
- Dune: Part Two
- Emilia Pérez
- Maria
- Nosferatu
Best Supporting Actor
- Yura Borisov, “Anora”
- Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”
- Edward Norton, “A Complete Unknown”
- Guy Pearce, “The Brutalist”
- Jeremy Strong, “The Apprentice”
Best Supporting Actress
- Monica Barbaro, “A Complete Unknown”
- Ariana Grande, “Wicked”
- Felicity Jones, “The Brutalist”
- Isabella Rossellini, “Conclave”
- Zoe Saldaña, “Emilia Pérez”
Best Adapted Screenplay
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Emilia Pérez
- Nickel Boys
- Sing Sing
Best Original Screenplay
- Anora
- The Brutalist
- A Real Pain
- September 5
- The Substance
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
- A Different Man
- Emilia Pérez
- Nosferatu
- The Substance
- Wicked
Best Costume Design
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Gladiator II
- Nosferatu
- Wicked
Best Original Score
- The Brutalist
- Conclave
- Emilia Pérez
- Wicked
- The Wild Robot
Final Thoughts: With the ceremony approaching on March 2nd, hosted by the delightful Conan O’Brien, this year’s nominations promise to deliver one of the most varied and discussed Oscar events yet. The diversity in films selected highlights an extensive range of storytelling, encouraging a fresh perspective on what we celebrate in cinema.
Personal Reflections:
This year’s nominations feature an exciting blend of familiar and unexpected choices. “Emilia Perez” exemplifies the strength of international cinema and the Academy’s evolving inclusivity. However, the exclusion of Villeneuve and Reznor/Ross raises important cultural discussions. The tension between tradition and modernity makes this Oscar season particularly compelling.
Will the Academy continue to expand its horizons, or are these nominations merely a brief detour into the unconventional?
