As the 2025 Oscar season approaches, the competition for Best Sound heats up, with films across various genres vying for the coveted award. With nominations set to be announced on January 17, 2025, and the 97th Oscars telecast airing on March 2, moviegoers and industry insiders are closely watching a diverse lineup. This category highlights the skilled craftsmanship behind unforgettable soundscapes, where music, atmosphere, and character-driven audio play pivotal roles.
The Contenders for Best Sound
The following films are generating significant buzz, with many relying on notable sound designers, immersive effects, and innovative techniques:
- Wicked
- Synopsis & Sound Details: This adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical explores the friendship of Elphaba and Glinda, blending magical realism with heartfelt drama. The sound team, led by Oscar-winning re-recording mixer Andy Nelson, has created an audio experience that underscores both the film's fantastical elements and intimate moments.
- Predictions: The team's challenge was to transition the musical's theatrical experience to a cinematic one, making “Wicked” a frontrunner for its intricate blend of music and narrative soundscapes.
- Gladiator II
- Synopsis & Sound Details: This sequel to the Oscar-winning “Gladiator” centers on Lucius, heir to the Empire, who finds himself entangled in gladiatorial combat. The film's intense battles and politically charged environment come alive through Matthew Collinge's sound design, which aims to place viewers directly within the ancient arenas.
- Predictions: With past successes in creating powerful, action-packed soundscapes, “Gladiator II” is a strong contender in the Best Sound race.
- Dune: Part Two
- Synopsis & Sound Details: Returning to the sands of Arrakis, “Dune: Part Two” intensifies its audio design with louder, richer, and more complex sounds, such as the amplified roars of sandworms. The expert team, led by Richard King, crafted sounds that capture the vastness and power of Arrakis while balancing intricate foley work.
- Predictions: Building on the Oscar-winning sound design of its predecessor, “Dune: Part Two” is another top contender due to its innovative use of natural sounds and audio effects.
- Emilia Pérez
- Synopsis & Sound Details: This musical crime thriller follows a cartel leader undergoing gender confirmation surgery. Aymeric Devoldère and Cyril Holtz's sound design includes a unique vocal tool created specifically for this film to enhance musical sequences, pushing the boundaries of traditional sound mixing.
- Predictions: Its creative approach to music and character-driven sound make “Emilia Pérez” a standout in this year's sound category.
- Blitz
- Synopsis & Sound Details: “Blitz” presents a harrowing portrayal of the German aerial assault on London. Sound designer Paul Cotterell recreates the chaos and resilience of wartime Britain through layered bombings, songs, and the ambient city life that soldiers and civilians navigated.
- Predictions: The historical weight and atmospheric precision make “Blitz” a formidable competitor, particularly for its combination of social realism with historical soundscapes.
Additional Contenders
- Maria: Following the story of opera singer Maria Callas, the film's sound team integrates period-accurate music with surreal musical sequences.
- Nickel Boys: The audio design juxtaposes beauty and brutality to reflect the Jim Crow-era reform school setting.
- Nosferatu: Known for an eerie soundscape, this adaptation delves into classic horror through unsettling auditory cues.
- Twisters: The sound team utilized multiple layers to capture the terror and grandeur of six distinct tornadoes.
- A Quiet Place: Day One: The soundscape intensifies the alien invasion's horror by amplifying everyday sounds, crafted with extreme precision.
This year's nominees for Best Sound at the Oscars bring together a fascinating range of projects, from epics set in ancient Rome to quiet character studies set against historical backdrops. Each entry showcases the essential role of sound in storytelling, inviting audiences to feel the atmosphere, emotion, and movement that bring films to life.
In a year with such varied and ambitious nominees, the Best Sound category stands as a testament to the artistry and technology that enhance cinematic experiences. From the haunting echoes of “Nosferatu” to the thrilling battles of “Gladiator II,” each film demonstrates that sound is not just an enhancement but an essential storytelling component. My top pick would be “Dune: Part Two” for its groundbreaking approach to environmental sound, though “Wicked” also promises an enchanting blend of music and atmosphere.
Which film do you think deserves the Oscar for Best Sound? Do you prefer epic, action-driven soundscapes or intricate, character-focused audio?
