Nominations for the 97th Academy Awards were announced on Jan. 27, by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards, better known as the Oscars. These nominations are shaping up to be one of the most unique years for the Oscars, celebrating 2024’s cinematic achievements, a year fraught with the ripple effects of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes.
The controversial crime musical, “Emilia Pérez” is this year’s most nominated feature, racking up an impressive 13 nominations. Although the film has divided audiences since its November release, voters for awards ceremonies have continued to praise it. Its nominations range from Best International Feature Film for France (though the film is set in Mexico and is predominantly in Spanish), to two nominations for Best Original Song. With her nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the titular character, Karla Sofía Gascón became the first openly transgender performer to be nominated for an Academy Award. Her co-star, Zoe Saldana, nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, has swept this awards season and is tipped to win.
Two wildly different films – Brady Corbet’s epic “The Brutalist” and Jon M. Chu’s big-screen adaptation of the Broadway musical, “Wicked,” each received 10 nominations. “The Brutalist” has nominations for performances from Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce and Felicity Jones. Its screenplay and cinematography were notably captured on the long-dormant VistaVision film format. On the flip side, “Wicked” also racked up numerous nominations. Cynthia Erivo has been nominated for Best Actress and Ariana Grande-Butera for Best Supporting Actress. Its many technical achievements, including sound and visual effects, were nominated as well. Despite their myriad differences, the films are competing in five categories, including Best Original Score, Best Production Design and Best Film Editing.
The Palme d’Or-winning tragicomedy “Anora” earned its writer/director/editor, Sean Baker, four personal nominations, as well as nominations for lead actress Mikey Madison and supporting actor Yura Borisov.
The Vatican-set thriller “Conclave” garnered leading actor Ralph Fiennes his third Oscar nomination and Isabella Rossellini her first ever nomination in Best Supporting Actress.
Body horror extravaganza, “The Substance,” earned writer-director Coralie Fargeat two nominations, provided Demi Moore her first nomination for Best Actress and became the seventh horror film ever nominated for Best Picture.
The Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” gained eight nominations, including unexpected nominations for Director James Mangold and Monica Barbaro in Supporting Actress, though Timothée Chalamet’s Best Actor nomination was widely expected. If Chalamet were to win, he would become the youngest person to ever win Best Actor at just 29 years old, taking the title from fellow current nominee Brody, who was also 29 years old when he won his first Oscar for his performance in “The Pianist.”
Other notable nominations include surprise Best Picture nominee “I’m Still Here” and the nomination for Lead Actress in Fernanda Torres. “Nickel Boys” was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay. “Dune: Part Two” dominated in technical categories, including Best Sound and Best Visual Effects. Robert Eggers’ remake “Nosferatu” gained four technical nominations, including Best Production Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. The controversial biopic “The Apprentice,” which centers on current President Donald Trump’s early years as a real estate magnate, earned nominations for Sebastian Stan in Best Actor and Jeremy Strong in Best Supporting Actor.
There are a few frontrunners jockeying for the position, leaving who will win a mystery. On March 2, we will see who ultimately emerges victorious.
