Oscars Snub 2024’s Most Shocking Film – Fans Outraged!

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  • ‘Challengers’ Was Affected by the Strikes
  • ‘Challengers’ Woke up to Zero Academy Award Nominations
  • ‘Challengers’ Technical Achievements Were Worthy of Oscar Nominations Alone

It’s often noted that movies released too early in the year may not make a lasting impact on awards voters, as they tend to forget films that don’t surface between September and the new year. However, there have been exceptions like “Crash,” which was released in May 2005 and won Best Picture the following year, although it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2004. Despite this, many had hoped that “Challengers” could buck this trend during this awards season.

The film was launched in April of the previous year and received some of the most favorable reviews of 2024. Several critics believed it would be a contender for numerous significant awards, however, due to its early release date in the year, increased competition, and the Academy preferring to honor more prestigious films, Challengers found itself regretting that it couldn’t maintain its original premiere date.

‘Challengers’ Was Affected by the Strikes

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Initially scheduled for release in August 2023, “Challengers” was later moved to September, aiming to serve as the opening film for the 80th Venice International Film Festival. This timing suggested that Amazon MGM Studios believed the Luca Guadagnino sports drama (despite any claims of comedy by the Golden Globes) had strong potential to be a contender for awards.

Regrettably, the film encountered a delay due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike and was taken out of the festival. Consequently, it received a new release date in April of the following year. This decision turned out to be advantageous from a promotional perspective since it coincided with the release of Dune: Part Two, another movie starring Zendaya. The synergy between the two films allowed for a powerful box-office one-two punch for both movies. Despite being a mid-budget drama, Challengers was financially successful, earning $96 million globally on a budget of $55 million, an uncommon feat during a time when such films often don’t get a full theatrical release.

Initially, the movie was predicted to excel in numerous award categories for the Oscars. However, on the day of the Oscars, supporters of the film felt greatly let down as the movie didn’t receive as many nominations as expected, despite having favorable reviews (an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes) and some critics hailing it as one of the year’s best films.

‘Challengers’ Woke up to Zero Academy Award Nominations

Regrettably, the Challengers film received no nominations for the Academy Awards, even in categories where it was anticipated to contend, such as Best Original Score (by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross), Best Editing (Marco Costa), and Best Original Screenplay (Justin Kuritzkes). The exclusion of Challengers in the Best Picture category, where it arguably belonged, is particularly perplexing given that the Academy expanded their nominations to 10 films this year. It’s hard to fathom why Challengers wasn’t among them.

Among Anora, Wicked, Conclave, Emilia Pérez, Dune: Part Two, The Brutalist, The Substance, A Complete Unknown, I’m Still Here, and Nickel Boys, there are some worthy picks. However, to make room for Challengers, you might consider removing a few of the previously listed films.

I wholeheartedly endorse “Challengers,” a captivating narrative that unfolds a complex love triangle. As a character, I find myself in the shoes of a wounded tennis ace (Zendaya), who now mentors my former champion husband (Mike Faist). The plot thickens as I encounter my ex-boyfriend (Josh O’Connor) on the ATP Challenger Tour. On paper, it may seem a bit tangled and juvenile, but in reality, it’s anything but. Although the trailers are undeniably alluring and effectively pique interest among viewers, they don’t fully encapsulate the movie’s true essence.

The movie “Challengers” is masterfully crafted, skillfully exploring a 13-year love triangle through a mature and sophisticated lens. The intricacies of their tumultuous relationship aren’t always explicitly explained, but the three main actors brilliantly convey these complexities. Zendaya delivers an outstanding performance that deserved Best Actress nomination, although she missed out in her category due to increasing competition throughout the year. However, her absence from the nominations only underscores the certainty that her time for an Academy Award is drawing near.

The movie maintains such an engaging structure that viewers can’t look away, and this is due in part to Guadagnino’s direction, Sayombhu Mukeeprom’s cinematography, and Costa’s editing. Despite their exceptional work, they were overlooked during Oscar nominations, which is another instance of a talented team being snubbed. The seamless way this trio orchestrates some of the tennis scenes, leading up to the film’s thrilling conclusion, serves as an excellent example of how various aspects of filmmaking must collaborate effectively to create art that truly stands out on screen.

‘Challengers’ Technical Achievements Were Worthy of Oscar Nominations Alone

Regardless of the Academy’s opinion, Costa’s editing in his films this year is exceptional and thrilling, while Guadagnino could have had a more significant recognition for his direction. It seems that he divided the votes with another project this year titled “Queer,” demonstrating his versatility as a director. However, it’s unfortunate that both of his eligible works were overlooked by the Academy. As for the editing oversight, take another look at the film and appreciate how some of its most impressive scenes are seamlessly assembled, and I guarantee you won’t be left unimpressed.

Although I fell short in some areas during awards season, the distinct score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross in Challengers still held a glimmer of promise. As more time passed and other contenders faded into obscurity, I believed that its innovative EDM/Techno sound would catch the attention of voters. It stood out as one of the most thrilling musical contributions to cinema due to its unique nature.

This unconventional piece made appearances in various precursors leading up to the Oscar nominations, even securing the Best Original Score award at the Golden Globes. However, it’s clear that the music was too daring for Academy voters hesitant to embrace something less orthodox. The electric energy it brings to the scenes is undeniable, as it amplifies drama and tension in several pivotal moments of the film.

Instead of dwelling on the film not receiving nominations, it might be better to focus on its positive aspects. Critics and audiences adored it, and it was a financial success too. It even made appearances at various awards season precursors. However, as the Oscar nominations approached, there was a growing sense that it would be overlooked by the Academy, which is unfortunate because it’s exactly the kind of film that deserved recognition. Beyond being entertaining and commercially viable, it also had depth, intelligence, and technical finesse that made it much more than meets the eye. It’s possible that the Academy just didn’t notice it. You can stream Challengers on Amazon Prime Video and MGM+.

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2025-01-23 21:31