Oscar Snubs and Surprises: John Lithgow Defends ‘Conclave’ Director’s Missing Nomination

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It’s quite fitting that the 2025 Oscar nominees have eight nods for the film “Conclave,” given its story revolves around electing a new pope. This could stir feelings of disappointment among those not even recognized as major contenders, and in a way, life has mirrored art by doing just that.

Despite moving past Denzel Washington’s persistent awards snubs in 2025, I can’t help but feel angry once more upon learning John Lithgow‘s critique of the overlooked directorial role in “Conclave.” In a candid conversation with Variety during a Sundance podcast interview, the esteemed actor and star of “Jimpa” voiced his disappointment that director Edward Berger was not recognized for his work on the film.

Ever honest, yet diplomatic, Lithgow’s following thoughts on the matter are relatable:

Indeed, I felt quite let down, but that’s just how the awards season goes – it’s competitive and Edward is exceptionally talented. We adore him immensely. In fact, he was nominated for every other award, and ‘Conclave’ earned eight Oscar nominations. Such recognition is a testament to his exceptional directorial skills. He’s resilient; he’ll handle this with grace. We are all incredibly proud of the film, and my admiration for it knows no bounds.

In 2024, the movie Conclave made it onto TopMob’s list of best films and was also highly praised by critics and voting bodies. Given its PG rating and strong Catholic themes, it has gained significant popularity. This film is quite different from Edward Berger’s 2023 Oscar-winning project, the intense war epic All Quiet on the Western Front. Even devoted followers of the director might have been surprised by this shift in genre at first.

In contrast, this character-focused story doesn’t skimp on intensity, earning numerous nominations at this year’s Academy Awards. Notably, legendary actress Isabella Rossellini received her first Oscar nomination for her role as Sister Agnes in the Best Supporting Actress category. Though the outcome may be disheartening, it doesn’t diminish the fact that Berger’s 2024 independent film is a triumphant work of art.

Although “Conclave” might not be the most frequently nominated film in this year’s lineup, it’s undeniably one of the highly anticipated contenders for the Best Picture award in 2024. Even though Denis Villeneuve’s omission from the Best Director nominations isn’t as surprising as the controversial snubbing of “Challengers” at the Oscars, it’s still a letdown. To put it in John Lithgow’s words, Awards Season is certainly upon us!

From now until the envelopes are unveiled during the live telecast on March 2nd at 7 PM ET on ABC and Hulu, all types – from exceptional to questionable and even absurd – will gather. Thus, the 97th Academy Awards will finally reveal who’ll be crowned with golden glory this coming Sunday. In another development, the remarkable performance of Mr. Lithgow and the cast of Conclave can now be enjoyed by streaming it through a Peacock subscription.

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2025-01-27 22:07