Unmasking the Shocking Controversies of 2025 Oscar Nominees

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‘Emilia Pérez’ Star Is at the Center of Career-Ending Backlash

The Team Behind ‘The Brutalist’ Admits to Using AI

Mikey Madison Refused an Intimacy Coordinator for ‘Anora’

‘Conclave’ Receives Catholic Criticisms

‘I’m Still Here’ and ‘Emilia Pérez’ Stars’ Blackface Controversies Resurface

‘The Substance’ Director’s Tweet Mocks Palestine Supporters

2025’s Oscar season isn’t complete without its usual share of debates over the best movies, actors, and filmmakers, and this year is no exception to that rule. There have been significant disagreements among viewers and critics about the films nominated for awards, just as in past years. However, this year has seen an unusually high level of backlash against some of the Academy’s choices.

In the world of cinema, a host of films have been justly honored for their exceptional performances in acting, scriptwriting, direction, and overall brilliance, such as fan-loved titles like “Wicked,” “Dune: Part Two,” and “A Complete Unknown.” However, rather than shining a light on the masterful final versions of these films, the limelight often brought to the fore various contentious issues related to the nominees and their crews. From public scandals to intense online discussions, here’s an explanation of the biggest 2025 Oscar controversies that made headlines.

‘Emilia Pérez’ Star Is at the Center of Career-Ending Backlash

Jacques Audiard’s musical crime drama titled Emilia Pérez has earned an impressive 13 Oscar nominations this season, making it the most recognized non-English language film in history. However, its initial consideration was met with controversy due to criticisms of its flawed portrayal of transgender characters, perpetuating harmful transition misconceptions and stereotyping them as villains. To add to these concerns, audiences have been critical of the film’s shallow depiction of Mexican culture and its unremarkable music. Notably, much acclaim for this Eurocentric production has come from cisgender critics, leaving a sour taste in the mouths of many moviegoers.

Despite Emilia Pérez’s content being a topic of debate, it has been eclipsed by a more urgent controversy. The film’s lead actress, Karla Sofía Gascón, made history as the first trans person nominated for an Oscar in acting. However, her performance drew attention not only to her talent but also to her past social media posts, which were xenophobic and racist in nature. Unfortunately, this has led to significant backlash against her, making it highly unlikely that she will be the first openly transgender performer to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.

In an effort to restore her tarnished image, Gascón has issued a public apology on Instagram for her hurtful remarks. Unfortunately, this seems not to have improved her situation significantly. Following the backlash, Netflix, which had been promoting Emilia Pérez as part of its Oscars marketing campaign, has chosen to distance itself from her. The streaming service is no longer covering Gascón’s travel and styling expenses for upcoming award events leading up to the Oscars, effectively keeping her from attending these functions. Additionally, Netflix appears to have ceased all communication with Gascón or her PR team, instead choosing to focus on Zoe Saldaña, who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress in the same film as Gascón.

The Team Behind ‘The Brutalist’ Admits to Using AI

In the anticipated historical drama “The Brutalist,” directed by Brady Corbet, there’s a buzz that it might win several Academy Awards this year, even Best Picture. However, a disclosure about the film’s editing has some viewers questioning its worth. In certain scenes where Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones portray characters speaking Hungarian, it was discovered that they are not native speakers. As such, Corbet permitted post-production editors to utilize AI technology to refine their accents.

Currently, the use of AI in movies is a significant issue due to its ability to deliver results swiftly, potentially replacing human labor. This rapid output has sparked debate as some view it as an unfair shortcut to save on talent costs. As such, critics have contended that the performances in the film “The Brutalist” should be disqualified, claiming that the integrity of the acting has been compromised by AI’s auxiliary enhancement. Despite Corbet and Brody assuring viewers that no alterations were made to the acting itself, many remain skeptical.

Mikey Madison Refused an Intimacy Coordinator for ‘Anora’

Sean Baker’s film titled “Anora” narrates the tale of a Brooklyn stripper who unwittingly enters into marriage with the son of a Russian tycoon. The movie, known for its bold narrative, includes numerous explicit scenes. Some might argue that this explicit content could be behind any criticism following its Oscar nominations. However, it was the revelation by Mikey Madison that there was no intimacy coordinator on set that ignited online discussion about the film.

In an Actors on Actors conversation between Madison and Pamela Anderson, Madison expressed her thoughts on feeling excluded. She explained that the production team suggested an intimacy coordinator for her, but she declined. Although she acknowledged the importance of such a role in ensuring safety during sensitive scenes, Madison asserted that she felt completely at ease handling it by herself.

While Madison emphasized that the experience was entirely positive, she faced criticism from some fans who believed her comments might discourage other performers and filmmakers from utilizing them. This could potentially endanger others in future productions.

‘Conclave’ Receives Catholic Criticisms

Under the guidance of director Edward Berger, the critically acclaimed political thriller Conclave was more than just a possible Oscar nominee. The movie boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castelitto, and Isabella Rossellini. The story revolves around Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (played by Fiennes), as he presides over the election for the pope’s successor in a conclave. As he delves into the candidate background checks, shocking secrets begin to emerge.

As a devoted cinephile, I must say that this film has generally earned praise for its nuanced portrayal of the complexities within the papal election process and the intricate politics of the Catholic Church. However, while some viewers found it engaging without resorting to sensationalism, others have voiced their dissent. Certain religious advocates of the church have criticized the movie for its perceived bias towards Catholicism. In their view, the film’s dramatic expositions distorted Catholicism into a stereotype, misrepresented the papal election, and perpetuated negative stereotypes about its leaders.

Furthermore, the storyline concludes with an unexpected disclosure about intersexuality. Critics within the Catholic community have strongly objected to this thematic approach, criticizing its challenge to traditional gender norms.

‘I’m Still Here’ and ‘Emilia Pérez’ Stars’ Blackface Controversies Resurface

As a fervent admirer of cinema, I’ve been disheartened to learn about the controversy surrounding this year’s Oscar nominees. Specifically, it has come to light that two esteemed actresses, Fernanda Torres and Zoe Saldaña, have faced criticism for their use of blackface in past projects.

Fernanda Torres, a radiant talent in Walter Salles’ biographical drama “I’m Still Here,” found herself embroiled in controversy when she donned blackface for an episode of the 2008 sketch comedy show, “Fantastico.” Similarly, Zoe Saldaña, a captivating performer from Emilia Pérez’s repertoire, took on the role of Nina Simone in the 2012 biopic, “Nina.” In an attempt to convincingly portray the iconic singer, Saldaña not only darkened her skin but also drastically altered her appearance with a bodysuit, prosthetic nose, and fake teeth.

After the incident, both performers have publicly apologized for their actions. In an interview with Deadline, Torres stated, “It is now evident in our country and everywhere that blackface is never appropriate.” Similarly, Saldaña expressed her remorse during a 2020 CNN interview by saying, “I should have done everything possible to cast a Black woman for the role of an impeccable Black character.” Although their Oscar nominations remain, it’s the Academy’s decision whether their past actions may affect their chances of winning.

‘The Substance’ Director’s Tweet Mocks Palestine Supporters

This year, one less discussed controversy centers around the intriguing blend of body-horror and dark comedy, “The Substance.” As Demi Moore basks in her well-earned Oscar recognition before the ceremony, its director, Coralie Fargeat, is encountering online criticism due to a tweet that has since been removed. The tweet endorsed an Israeli video where students protesting for Palestine are openly ridiculed.

Her account was cleaned up, leaving only a saved image as proof of the incident. Since the original post no longer exists, the issue hasn’t gained significant attention outside of social media platforms or attracted mainstream news headlines (as of now).

Watch The Oscars on ABC and Hulu at 6 PM CST on March 2, 2025.

2025-02-09 19:33