As the 2024 Oscar nominations were announced, the film industry and fans alike eagerly anticipated the recognition of outstanding achievements in cinema. However, the nature of awards season is often unpredictable, and this year’s nominations brought a mix of surprises and notable snubs. Here, we delve into the most shocking omissions and unexpected inclusions among the 2024 Oscar nominees.
Notable Snubs
1. Greta Gerwig – Best Director (Barbie)
- Despite her exceptional work on “Barbie,” Greta Gerwig, who previously received a nomination for “Lady Bird,” was left out of the Best Director category. Her creative vision turned the Mattel doll’s story into a feminist fantasia, making this snub particularly surprising given the film’s critical and commercial success.
2. Margot Robbie – Best Actress (Barbie)
- Margot Robbie’s transformative portrayal of Barbie was a highlight of the film, showcasing her ability to infuse humor, naivety, and empathy into the iconic character. Despite Robbie’s outstanding performance and the film’s popularity, she was not nominated for Best Actress, leaving many puzzled by the Academy’s decision.
3. Charles Melton – Best Supporting Actor (May December)
- Charles Melton’s performance in “May December,” where he portrayed a troubled husband dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic event, was praised as an acting masterclass. However, Melton’s card was declined by the Oscars, overshadowing what could have been a significant breakthrough for the “Riverdale” star.
4. Julianne Moore – Best Supporting Actress (May December)
- Much like her co-star Charles Melton, Julianne Moore’s performance in “May December” failed to secure a nomination despite strong critical support. The film’s meditation on the craft of acting might have contributed to the overlooking of Moore’s compelling portrayal.
5. Leonardo DiCaprio – Best Actor (Killers of the Flower Moon)
- Despite the considerable attention “Killers of the Flower Moon” received across multiple categories, Leonardo DiCaprio, usually an Academy favorite, was notably absent from the Best Actor nominees. The lack of recognition from fellow actors and BAFTA voters left DiCaprio out in the cold.
6. Greta Lee – Best Actress (Past Lives)
- Greta Lee, initially considered one of the brightest hopefuls, experienced a decline in her chances as other awards bodies announced their nominees. The final blow came from the Academy, which omitted her from the Best Actress category for her remarkable performance in “Past Lives.”
7. American Symphony – Best Documentary Feature
- Despite having presidential support and guidance from Barack and Michelle Obama, “American Symphony” failed to secure a nomination for Best Documentary Feature. The film’s unique perspective on Jon Batiste’s musical journey didn’t resonate with the Academy in this category.
8. Mica Levi – Best Original Score (The Zone of Interest)
- Mica Levi’s bone-chilling score in “The Zone of Interest,” which played a pivotal role in elevating the film, was surprisingly left out of the Best Original Score category. Levi’s haunting composition added depth to the Holocaust-set film, transforming it into an abstract masterwork of horror.
9. “Road to Freedom” by Lenny Kravitz – Best Original Song (Rustin)
- Lenny Kravitz’s powerful song, “Road to Freedom,” from the “Rustin” soundtrack, which received nominations from the Golden Globes and the Society of Composers & Lyricists, failed to secure a spot in the Best Original Song category at the Oscars.
Unexpected Inclusions
1. America Ferrera – Best Supporting Actress (Barbie)
- In a surprising turn of events, Barbie (Margot Robbie) didn’t receive an acting nomination, but her human counterpart, America Ferrera, earned a Best Supporting Actress nod. Ferrera’s portrayal of Gloria, a Mattel employee dealing with mental health struggles, was unexpectedly recognized by the Academy.
2. Sterling K. Brown – Best Supporting Actor (American Fiction)
- Sterling K. Brown, known for his work in “This Is Us,” earned a surprising Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role in “American Fiction.” The unexpected nod highlighted the actor’s versatility and marked his first career Academy Award nomination.
3. “Maestro” – Best Original Screenplay (Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer)
- Despite being considered Oscar bait, the Netflix biopic “Maestro” received a nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The nod acknowledged the film’s script, co-written by Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer, and added an element of surprise to the awards season.
4. Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik – Best Original Screenplay (May December)
- “May December,” which initially missed screenplay nods at other major awards, surprised many by securing a nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik’s twisty, layered screenplay contributed to the film’s complexity and received recognition from the Academy.
5. Bradley Cooper – Best Actor (Maestro)
- Bradley Cooper’s performance in “Maestro,” where he portrayed legendary composer Leonard Bernstein, earned him a surprising Best Actor nomination. The film, celebrating Bernstein’s life and his complex relationship with his wife, garnered attention for Cooper’s compelling portrayal.
The 2024 Oscar nominations brought a mix of disappointments and unexpected delights, showcasing the inherent unpredictability of awards season. As the film industry continues to evolve, these surprises and snubs serve as a reminder that recognition in cinema is subjective, and exceptional work can sometimes go unnoticed by the Academy. The anticipation now shifts to the 96th Academy Awards ceremony, where the final verdict on these nominations will be revealed.
TOPICS:
Oscars