The much-anticipated 96th Academy Awards nominations have been revealed. While Oppenheimer, Killers of the Flower Moon and Barbie dominate the list with 13, 10, and 8 nods, respectively, some notable omissions have raised eyebrows and stirred conversations.
Missing out in some of the key races, A-listers like Margot Robbie, Charles Melton and Leonardo DiCaprio were not named in the acting nominations. Meanwhile, actor Colman Domingo and director Justine Triet were some unexpected inclusions this year.
Here, we break down the biggest snubs and surprises from the 2024 Oscar nominations.
Oscar nominations 2024 announcement: Shocking omissions and surprise inclusions
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Let’s start our list with a nomination ‘surprise’ because we have a long list going for the Oscar nominations 2024 snubs.
Justine Triet’s unexpected triumph with ‘Anatomy of a Fall’
In a groundbreaking moment for the Oscars, three of the Best Picture nominees were directed by women, including Celine Song’s Past Lives and Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall. While Barbie creator Greta Gerwig and Song faced snubs in the Best Director category, Triet’s inclusion was a pleasant surprise.
Having previously won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, Triet’s twisty legal drama added a unique flair to the nominations.
Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie’ snubbed in the Best Director category
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Greta Gerwig, the director behind the billion-dollar blockbuster Barbie, made history with the highest-grossing movie directed by a woman. However, her directorial prowess failed to secure her a nomination in the highly contested Best Director category. Despite the film earning eight nominations, including Best Picture, Gerwig’s absence in the directing race left fans surprised and questioning the Academy’s choices.
Margot Robbie left out of the Lead Actress race
Despite her exceptional performance in Barbie, Margot Robbie finds herself overlooked in the Best Lead Actress category. Robbie’s portrayal, characterised by impeccable comic timing and emotional depth, failed to secure the Academy’s recognition, leaving fans and critics alike puzzled by the oversight of discounting good acting in comedy.
Ken without Barbie? Ryan Gosling secures a nod for ‘Barbie’
Ryan Gosling just released a statement that directly calls out this morning’s Gerwig and Robbie snubs in best director and best actress: pic.twitter.com/gf5vQI5Z0c
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) January 23, 2024
Barbie also missed out on some other technical nominations, such as cinematography and editing. But it did at least pull off a dark-horse Supporting Actress nomination for America Ferrera alongside another nod for Ryan Gosling in the Best Supporting Actor category.
However, both Ferrera and Gosling have expressed their disappointment for Gerwig and Robbie not being nominated. Gosling even released a statement on Twitter (X) and said he was honoured by his nomination, but that there would be “no Ken without Barbie, and … no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie.”
Oscar’s love-hate relationship with Leonardo DiCaprio continues
Leonardo DiCaprio, known for his versatile performances, faced another snub in the Lead Actor category for Killers of the Flower Moon. The campaign, primarily focused on DiCaprio’s co-star Lily Gladstone, assumed his automatic inclusion. Voters were left amused but not surprised by the miss. After all, it took the actor six Oscar nominations to finally land his first win for The Revenant (2015).
With 10 nominations, Martin Scorsese’s Osage Nation murder mystery was well-represented in other categories. However, the screenwriting duo of Scorsese and seven-time nominee Eric Roth also went unrecognised for their transformation of what on the page was largely a police procedural into a multidimensional portrait of an indigenous community.
Greta Lee’s incredible work in ‘Past Lives’ overlooked
Greta Lee’s remarkable performance in Past Lives failed to secure a nomination in the Lead Actress category. The film, while receiving acclaim, didn’t translate into recognition for Lee’s nuanced portrayal, highlighting the Oscars’ inclination towards more dramatic performances.
‘May December’ actors Charles Melton and Julianne Moore left in the shadows
Despite a promising start with a Golden Globe nomination for Charles Melton, May December was left unrecognised by the Oscars. The film’s provocative character study faced a shift in reception on social media, with debates on its genre and style overshadowing the outstanding performances of its cast.
‘Saltburn’ snubs: Rosamund Pike, Jacob Elordi, Barry Keoghan and Emerald Fennell miss out
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Emerald Fennell’s darkly humorous tale, Saltburn, was a long shot for some, but it garnered attention, especially after a strong showing at the recent BAFTA Awards. Despite its potential, the film failed to secure even a single Oscar nomination in 2024, leaving acclaimed performances by Rosamund Pike, Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan unnoticed. Fennell’s original screenplay also went unnoticed by the Academy.
Andrew Scott’s unacknowledged brilliance in ‘All of Us Strangers’
Talking about the other overlooked nominations at the 96th Academy Awards, Andrew Scott’s rebuff for his role in All of Us Strangers also left fans confused. Despite a compelling portrayal in a film that left a lasting impression, Scott’s nuanced performance was ignored by the Oscar voters. Known for his memorable supporting roles, the Fleabag actor’s lead performance in this film showcased his versatility.
Wes Anderson’s inclusion, Pedro Almodóvar’s exclusion
The short-film branch, often known for its discerning eye, has historically been resistant to recognising directors perceived as dilettantes. This year, however, a change in dynamics allowed members from various branches to nominate films for best live-action short. In a surprising move, Wes Anderson‘s The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar found a spot, while Pedro Almodóvar faced yet another snub for his western Strange Way of Life, starring Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke.
Bradley Cooper’s dual recognition for ‘Maestro’
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While Bradley Cooper secured a Best Actor nomination for Maestro and the film received a nod for Best Picture, his directorial prowess was overlooked. Cooper’s dual talents in front of and behind the camera showcased his multifaceted contribution to the film, yet the directing category failed to acknowledge his achievements.
‘The Color Purple’ falls short in the Best Picture race
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The Color Purple, a late arrival in the Oscar race, faced challenges in gaining momentum. Despite its adaptation from the 2005 Broadway musical and powerful storytelling, the film missed out on a Best Picture nomination. Controversies surrounding working conditions on set overshadowed its initial positive reception, contributing to the film’s exclusion from the prestigious category.
‘Society of the Snow’ gets in for Best International Film
Society of the Snow emerged as a surprising international film contender. Beyond its initial premise of a plane crash survival story, the film impressed with its effects and makeup, both earning nominations. Director J.A. Bayona’s creation not only captivated audiences on Netflix, becoming one of the streaming giant’s most successful non-English films but also defied expectations by making a significant impact on the Oscars stage.
Well, as the countdown for the 2024 Oscar Ceremony begins (March 10), the notable nomination snubs and surprises add an extra layer of intrigue, sparking discussions and debates about the diversity and recognition of talent in the film industry.
(Header and feature image courtesy: IMDb/Barbie/Maestro)
This story first appeared on Augustman Singapore
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Who were the nominees for the Academy Awards 2024 for Best Actor in a Leading Role?
Bradley Cooper for Maestro, Colman Domingo for Rustin, Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers, Cillian Murphy for Oppenheimer and Jeffrey Wright for American Fiction are the nominees for the Oscars 2024.
– Who were the nominees for the Academy Awards 2024 for Best Director?
Justine Triet for Anatomy of a Fall, Yorgos Lanthimos for Poor Things, Martin Scorsese for Killers of the Flower Moon, Jonathan Glazer for The Zone of Interest and Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer) have been nominated in the Best Director category for the 2024 Oscars.
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