2025 Oscars: The Biggest Snubs That Will Shock Movie Fans!

Kicking off a brand new year also signals the climax of the awards season within the film industry. Major events such as the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, BAFTAs, SAG Awards, and others take place during the first two months of the year. These ceremonies serve as preludes to the most illustrious award show in the field, the Oscars. The Academy honors what they consider to be the outstanding films from the previous year across various categories, including acting, directing, costume design, and sound design, by bestowing awards upon them.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the organization that makes decisions, chooses the nominees for each category in film awards every year. Members of the Academy cast their votes on who and what they believe to be the finest from the previous year, resulting in the list of nominees we get to see every January. However, it’s worth noting that while the Academy might acknowledge certain performances and films as the best of the year, not all moviegoers may concur. The nominees for the 97th Academy Awards ceremony in 2025 have been announced, and our suggested list would look a bit different. Here are our picks for the outstanding performances and films that should have received a nomination in each of the major categories:

Best Picture: ‘Challengers,’ ‘A Real Pain,’ and ‘Nosferatu’

At the end of the Academy Awards ceremony, the prestigious award is given for Best Picture. For the 97th Oscars, the nominees for this category are Anora, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Perez, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, The Substance, and Wicked. This year’s nominees represent a wide variety of genres and countries, with two foreign films included and a mix of biopics, war dramas, romantic comedies, sci-fi blockbusters, musicals, and even a horror movie in the running. The Academy often favors these genres for nomination, but this diverse group also includes a film from each category.

A Strong List of Nominees Missing a Few Pieces

This awards season, Emilia Perez‘s work has sparked considerable debate online, particularly due to the 13 nominations it received, which have stirred up quite a bit of controversy. The contentious crime musical has been at the center of online discussions because while it positions itself as a pro-trans film, critics argue that it does not accurately reflect the trans community’s experiences.

The nomination of A Complete Unknown came as a surprise to many, but given the Academy’s affinity for biopics, it starts to make sense.

Recently, it was revealed that AI was employed to enhance Adrien Brody’s Hungarian accent in The Brutalist. Given this information, it raises some eyebrows that the film earned such a high number of nominations.

Movies such as “Challengers, A Real Pain“, “Nosferatu“, and others didn’t make it to the Best Picture category, which is unfortunate. “Challengers” boasted remarkable performances, flawless editing, and a seamless soundtrack that left many film enthusiasts yearning for more. For these reasons alone, it deserved to be among the top contenders of the year. The understated, introspective narrative “A Real Pain“, starring Jesse Eisenberg, tells the story of estranged cousins reunited in Poland to visit their late grandmother’s childhood home. Robert Eggers’ remake of “Nosferatu” was one of the most eagerly awaited horror films of the year, and it surpassed expectations with its chilling gothic atmosphere. Each of these movies, or a combination of them all, deserved to receive the prestigious Best Picture nomination.

Best Director: Luca Guadagnino for ‘Challengers’

One of the most prestigious honors given out during the Oscars ceremony is the title of Best Director. This year’s nominees are Sean Baker for “Anora“, Bradey Corbet for “The Brutalist“, James Mangold for “A Complete Unknown,“, Jacques Audiard for “Emilia Perez“, and Coralie Fargeat for “The Substance“. Considering the awards season trajectory of most of these films, the nominees are not too unexpected, except perhaps for James Mangold. If Fargeat were to win, it would be extraordinary because she would become the fourth woman ever to receive this award, and it would be a significant triumph for the horror genre. However, Corbet is expected to take home the trophy.

Smooth Yet Energetic Direction

Although most films in this category were expected to be nominated, it’s surprising that Luca Guadagnino wasn’t recognized for his exceptional directing work on “Challengers.” For cinephiles, “Challengers” was one of the top films of the year, and Guadagnino’s direction played a crucial role in making it a modern masterpiece. With an outstanding cast, flawless editing, and pulsating score, Guadagnino’s deft touch behind the camera elevated the film to new heights. His direction was both effortlessly smooth and brimming with energy, perfectly capturing the intensity of the tennis matches as well as the steamier scenes. To millions worldwide who love tennis, it may have just been a sport, but Guadagnino transformed it into something utterly seductive.

Best Actress: Zendaya for ‘Challengers’

This year’s Best Actress nominees are particularly impressive. Mikey Madison, as expected, received recognition for her outstanding portrayal in “Anora“. Fernanda Torres has been nominated again following her Golden Globe victory for Best Female Actor, this time for her role in “I’m Still Here“. Cynthia Erivo made the cut with her powerful performance as Elphaba in “Wicked“. Additionally, Demi Moore was rightfully recognized for her exceptional work in “The Substance“, where she showed remarkable bravery and vulnerability that truly deserved a nomination.

A Fierce Performance from One of the Best Young Actors

Even so, it seems like the category lacks completeness without considering Zendaya for her outstanding performance in “Challengers”. In this production, Zendaya portrays Tashi Donaldson, a former tennis prodigy turned coach who finds herself entangled in an intense love triangle with two close friends. While she has already demonstrated her acting prowess on HBO’s “Euphoria”, her role as Tashi underscores the fact that she is one of the most talented young actors currently active. Not only did she excel individually, but her performances also provided excellent foundation for her co-stars Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist to build upon.

Best Supporting Actress: Margaret Qualley for ‘The Substance’

2021’s Best Supporting Actress race brought some unexpected twists. Among these surprises, Ariana Grande’s nomination for her outstanding portrayal of Galinda/Glinda in “Wicked” stood out, as this is her first Academy Award nod. Grande convincingly took on the role of Glinda in the movie musical, capturing every aspect of a cherished character adored by many. However, Selena Gomez was overlooked despite her Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress in any motion picture. The most shocking surprise, though, was Margaret Qualley missing out on a nomination.

A Boldly Unhinged Performance

In the movie “The Substance,” Qualley delivered an exceptionally passionate portrayal. She poured every ounce of dedication into a role that required immense physical and emotional effort. Her character beautifully complemented Demi Moore’s Elisabeth, embodying the ideals Elisabeth aspired to. Qualley, who is already a skilled actress, reached new heights with this performance, demonstrating her willingness to explore extreme, even unsettling aspects of a character, all in the name of cinema.

Best Actor: Sebastian Stan for ‘A Different Man’

If you’ve been following the awards season, it won’t come as a shock that the Best Actor nominees are mostly predictable. Adrien Brody clinched the Golden Globe for Best Actor this year, making his nomination nearly certain. Despite a very limited cinema release, Colman Domingo has garnered much praise for his acting. Additionally, Ralph Fiennes, Timothee Chalamet, and Sebastian Stan made it to the list of nominees. It’s worth noting that Sebastian Stan delivered outstanding performances in two different films last year. His nomination is for The Apprentice, where he portrayed Trump during his early business years. Predictably, Trump wasn’t fond of this film as it didn’t present him in a favorable light.

A Raw, Emotional Performance

Sebastian Stan delivers a genuine acting job, but his portrayal in “A Different Man” might have been even more exceptional. In fact, he was awarded the Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy). In this movie, Stan plays Edward, a man with facial disfigurements who avoids social interaction due to fear of judgment. Eventually, he agrees to an experimental medical procedure that supposedly fixes his physical flaws. However, the transformation doesn’t resolve his issues or banish his inner struggles. Stan’s performance is intense and moving, demonstrating his versatility as an actor. It’s unusual for audiences to see him in such a role, yet his flawless execution makes it all the more rewarding.

Best Supporting Actor: Denzel Washington in ‘Gladiator II’

One intriguing twist from the unveiling of the Oscar nominations was the recognition given to Kieran Culkin for his role in “A Real Pain” as a contender for Best Supporting Actor. His performance in the movie was exceptional, and he finds himself up against his fellow “Succession” cast member, Jeremy Strong, who was also recognized for his work in “The Apprentice.” Other nominees include Yura Borisov for “Anora,” Edward Norton for “A Complete Unknown,” and Guy Pearce for “The Brutalist.” Culkin previously won the Best Supporting Actor award at the Golden Globes, making him a potential frontrunner to take home the Oscar, which would be a delightful outcome.

A Hollywood Vet Snubbed

It’s quite unexpected that Denzel Washington wasn’t nominated for Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II.” Many viewers thought he was the standout actor in the film, given his consistent ability to deliver powerful performances regardless of the project. Given his exceptional portrayal of Macrinus, a former slave determined to seize power in Rome, it seemed almost certain that he would be nominated. However, Washington’s performance as Macrinus was so captivating that many believe he excelled at the role more than any other potential actor, making the omission from nominations slightly surprising.

Best Original Screenplay: ‘Challengers’ and ‘Strange Darling’

2021 promises to be an exceptional year for Best Original Screenplay nominees, with a diverse lineup that includes “Anora,” “The Brutalist,” “A Real Pain (September 5th),” and “The Substance.” The recognition of “A Real Pain” and “The Substance” is particularly thrilling for movie enthusiasts since it’s uncommon for the Academy to honor a horror film, specifically one that explores the realm of gruesome body horror. While any of these films could take home the award, it would be well-deserved, as there are at least two additional deserving contenders that could have made the cut.

Two Enthralling Screenplays Left Behind

It’s puzzling for many movie enthusiasts that this year’s Academy Awards completely excluded films considered contenders, more so when the script was exceptionally tight. This captivating, gripping screenplay at times has the film feeling like a suspenseful thriller due to its rapid pulse-raising pace. The characters and their narratives are nearly flawlessly written, the plot points are meticulously crafted, and the climax is jaw-droppingly impressive.

JT Mollner’s screenplay for the chilling horror-thriller “Strange Darling” could have easily been a strong contender. The movie skillfully unveils its surprises, leaving the audience perpetually speculating about where the story is headed. It masterfully makes you believe one thing and then swiftly undermines any certainty you had regarding the plot’s trajectory. The adoption of a non-chronological narrative was a particularly astute creative choice that keeps viewers in detective mode. It’s one of the most gripping films of 2024.

Best Original Score: ‘Challengers’ and ‘The Substance’

As a cinephile, I can’t imagine a movie without its captivating score. The music elevates scenes, highlights crucial moments, and occasionally hints at what lies ahead. It’s like a silent partner in storytelling, an essential element to filmmaking. This year, the nominees for Best Original Score are “The Brutalist,” “Conclave,” “Emilia Perez,” “Wicked,” and “The Wild Robot.” The score for “Wicked” is simply outstanding and deserves its place here. However, the inclusion of “Emilia Perez” continues to spark debate on social media. It’s hard to comprehend why Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ infectious score for “Challengers,” a score many expected to be nominated, was overlooked in the Original Score category.

A Great Year for Techno-House Music

It’s hard to deny that the soundtrack for “Challengers” was one of the top-notch scores of last year, possibly even the best. It’s surprising, almost unthinkable, that this film didn’t make it to a nomination in this category. The electrifying techno-house score is both lively and hard to resist. Each instance where the score is played in the movie amplifies the intensity of the scenes. Similarly, Raffertie’s score for “The Substance” is equally thrilling. In particular, during scenes involving Elisabeth’s counterpart Sue, the score pulses powerfully through your body and builds tension for what’s about to unfold next. Both these scores are among the most impressive musical compositions of the 2020s thus far and deserved nominations.

2025-02-03 06:03