In the glitzy universe of the Oscars, the 2024 Academy Award nominations brought their usual mix of shocks and snubs. Despite the glimmer of hope and anticipation, some of the most talked-about names and movies faced a surprising overlook, while others emerged unexpectedly in the spotlight. This year’s nomination list reflects a compelling blend of missed expectations and delightful surprises, underscoring the ever-unpredictable nature of Hollywood’s most prestigious awards.
Variety’s analysis of the biggest snubs and surprises of the 2024 Oscar nominations reveals a compelling narrative of overlooked talents and unexpected triumphs. Despite their significant contributions to the year’s most prominent movie, ‘Barbie,’ Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig faced significant snubs. Robbie, a powerhouse in her own right, was bypassed in the best actress category, while Gerwig, who co-wrote the screenplay with Noah Baumbach, was notably absent from the best director nominees.
In contrast, America Ferrera’s nomination for ‘Barbie’ in the supporting actress category was a welcome surprise, especially given her misses at both the SAG Awards and Golden Globes. Similarly, ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ brought unexpected joy, with Sandra Hüller and Justine Triet securing nominations in the best actress and director categories.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s omission for ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ and the complete shutout of ‘May December’s’ cast, including Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, added unexpected exclusions. The snub of Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese for their screenplay adaptation and Alexander Payne’s directorial oversight for ‘The Holdovers’ also left many surprised.
On the brighter side, Jonathan Glazer’s ‘The Zone of Interest’ garnered significant attention with five nominations, including best picture and best director. This was paralleled by ‘The Holdovers’ earning a spot in the best editing category and John Williams’s nomination for the best score in ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.’
However, the snubs continued with Penelope Cruz for ‘Ferrari,’ the entire cast and crew of ‘All of Us Strangers,’ and Willem Dafoe for ‘Poor Things.’ The Academy also overlooked Daniel Pemberton’s innovative score for ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.’
In animation, ‘Robot Dreams’ and ‘Nimona’ secured surprising nominations, while ‘El Conde’ earned recognition in the best cinematography category. The visual effects nomination for ‘Godzilla Minus One’ was an unexpected yet celebrated inclusion.
The 2024 Oscar nominations have once again proved that the race for the golden statuette is full of twists and turns, leaving some hopefuls in the shadows while bringing others into the limelight. As the film industry evolves and diversifies, these nominations reflect a blend of traditional and groundbreaking cinematic achievements. Whether it’s the snubs or the surprises, each nomination tells a story of artistic endeavour and the unpredictable nature of cinematic excellence.
