In the grand tapestry of Hollywood's most prestigious night, the Oscars, 2025 has thrown us a curveball with “Emilia Perez” leading the charge with an unprecedented 13 nominations. This year's nominations reveal not only the exceptional talent but also the Academy's evolving taste for diverse and daring cinema.
The Surprise Entries
- “I'm Still Here” by Walter Salles, a film that many didn't see coming for Best Picture, showcases the power of storytelling from Brazil. Its lead, Fernanda Torres, graces the Best Actress category, proving that sometimes the quietest films can shout the loudest on Oscar morning.
- Sebastian Stan in “The Apprentice” delivers a performance so compelling that it not only secures him a spot in Best Actor but also stirs debate over who was left out, notably Daniel Craig in “Queer.”
The Noteworthy Snubs
- Denis Villeneuve's absence from Best Director for “Dune: Part Two” continues a puzzling trend, highlighting perhaps a disconnect or a different appreciation for directorial vision.
- The score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for “Challengers” goes unnoticed, raising questions about the Academy's taste in music.
Film Highlights
- “Emilia Perez” – A film that breaks records for non-English nominations, it's a testament to the global language of cinema, blending drama with cultural depth.
- “Wicked” – With 10 nominations, it proves that musicals still have a significant place in the cinematic heart, offering both spectacle and substance.
- “The Brutalist” – Also with 10 nods, this film stands out for its visual storytelling and architectural metaphor for human lives.
Critical Analysis
- The inclusion of “I'm Still Here” in Best Picture suggests a shift towards recognizing films that might not be commercial hits but are rich in narrative and character.
- The snub of “Challengers” might signal a conservative approach from the Academy towards newer, perhaps more experimental, genres or storytelling techniques.
Full list of nominations for the 2025 Oscars:
Best Picture
- Anora
- The Brutalist
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Dune: Part Two
- Emilia Pérez
- I'm Still Here
- Nickel Boys
- The Substance
- Wicked
Best Actor
- Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”
- Timothée Chalamet, “A Complete Unknown”
- Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing”
- Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave”
- Sebastian Stan, “The Apprentice”
Best Actress
- Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked”
- Karla Sofía Gascón, “Emilia Pérez”
- Mikey Madison, “Anora”
- Demi Moore, “The Substance”
- Fernanda Torres, “I'm Still Here”
Best Director
- Sean Baker, “Anora”
- Brady Corbet, “The Brutalist”
- James Mangold, “A Complete Unknown”
- Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Pérez”
- Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”
Best International Feature Film
- I'm Still Here, Brazil
- The Girl with the Needle, Denmark
- Emilia Pérez, France
- The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Germany
- Flow, Latvia
Best Animated Film
- Flow
- Inside Out 2
- Memoir of a Snail
- Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
- The Wild Robot
Best Animated Short Film
- Beautiful Men
- In the Shadow of the Cypress
- Magic Candies
- Wander to Wonder
- Yuck!
Best Production Design
- The Brutalist
- Conclave
- Dune: Part Two
- Nosferatu
- Wicked
Best Editing
- Anora
- The Brutalist
- Conclave
- Emilia Pérez
- Wicked
Best Sound
- A Complete Unknown
- Dune: Part Two
- Emilia Pérez
- Wicked
- The Wild Robot
Best Visual Effects
- Alien: Romulus
- Better Man
- Dune: Part Two
- Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
- Wicked
Best Cinematography
- The Brutalist
- Dune: Part Two
- Emilia Pérez
- Maria
- Nosferatu
Best Supporting Actor
- Yura Borisov, “Anora”
- Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”
- Edward Norton, “A Complete Unknown”
- Guy Pearce, “The Brutalist”
- Jeremy Strong, “The Apprentice”
Best Supporting Actress
- Monica Barbaro, “A Complete Unknown”
- Ariana Grande, “Wicked”
- Felicity Jones, “The Brutalist”
- Isabella Rossellini, “Conclave”
- Zoe Saldaña, “Emilia Pérez”
Best Adapted Screenplay
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Emilia Perez
- Nickel Boys
- Sing Sing
Best Original Screenplay
- Anora
- The Brutalist
- A Real Pain
- September 5
- The Substance
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
- A Different Man
- Emilia Pérez
- Nosferatu
- The Substance
- Wicked
Best Costume Design
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Gladiator II
- Nosferatu
- Wicked
Best Original Score
- The Brutalist
- Conclave
- Emilia Pérez
- Wicked
- The Wild Robot
Conclusion: As we approach the ceremony on March 2nd, hosted by the ever-charming Conan O'Brien, these nominations set the stage for what might be one of the most diverse and debated Oscar nights in recent history. The films nominated this year reflect a broader spectrum of storytelling, from the epic to the intimate, challenging us to rethink what we celebrate in cinema.
Personal Impressions:
This year's nominations are a delightful mix of expected and surprising. “Emilia Perez” not only showcases the strength of international cinema but also the Academy's growing inclusivity. However, the absence of Villeneuve or Reznor/Ross from their respective categories leaves a cultural conversation hanging. There's a palpable tension between tradition and innovation, which makes this Oscar season particularly engaging.
Do you think the Academy is finally broadening its horizons, or are these nominations just a momentary lapse into the unconventional?
