In light of the catastrophic wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles, significantly impacting the film industry, Hollywood rallied to support the Netflix musical drama “Emilia Pérez” at the Oscar nominations unveiled on Thursday. This narco-musical, focusing on themes of trans identity, has garnered an impressive 13 nominations, which include nods for best picture and best actress for Karla Sofía Gascón, marking her as the first openly trans performer to receive an Oscar nomination. The film has also been recognized in categories such as directing, original screenplay, two nominations for its songs, and for Zoe Saldaña’s performance in a supporting role.
Jacques Audiard, the director of “Emilia Pérez,” expressed gratitude for this acknowledgment, emphasizing that it celebrates the diverse global community of filmmakers and stories. Despite Netflix’s presence in Hollywood, the platform has yet to claim a best picture award, with previous nominees like “Mank,” “The Irishman,” and “Roma” failing to secure the top prize despite numerous nominations.
“Emilia Pérez” stands out as the most nominated non-English language film in history, outpacing Netflix’s own “Roma,” which received 10 nominations. It’s noteworthy that only three films—“All About Eve,” “Titanic,” and “La La Land”—have achieved more nominations throughout Academy Awards history.
Another musical, the beloved stage adaptation “Wicked,” achieved significant recognition with 10 nominations of its own, including best picture. Directed by Jon M. Chu, this vibrant reimagining of the classic “Wizard of Oz” features prominent performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Meanwhile, “The Brutalist,” a postwar epic from Brady Corbet, also secured 10 nominations across major categories, including best picture and best director, along with acting nominations for Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce, and Felicity Jones.
The best picture nominees consist of: “Anora”; “The Brutalist”; “A Complete Unknown”; “Conclave”; “Dune: Part Two”; “Emilia Pérez”; “I’m Still Here”; “Nickel Boys”; “The Substance”; and “Wicked.” While last year’s standout winner was “Oppenheimer,” the current Oscar race appears to be more competitive.
This year’s leading films—“Emilia Pérez,” “Wicked,” “The Brutalist,” alongside “Anora” and “Conclave” both with eight nominations each—have all performed well as anticipated. Among the more surprising entries were the Brazilian film “I’m Still Here,” illustrating political resistance during Brazil’s military dictatorship, and “Nickel Boys,” a thought-provoking narrative that reshapes portrayals of Black experiences.
Director RaMell Ross was engaged in a candid conversation about “Nickel Boys” as he viewed the nominations from Providence, Rhode Island. Ross highlighted the film’s capacity to provoke dialogue, stating that it’s a narrative built for discourse, and he eagerly anticipates further discussions surrounding it.
Despite some films being overshadowed in the best picture category—like “Sing Sing,” “September 5,” and “A Real Pain”—these movies found recognition in other areas. On a surprising note, “The Apprentice” garnered nominations for actors Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong, a film that tackles Donald Trump’s early years in real estate under notorious lawyer Roy Cohn. Reacting to the project, Strong expressed mixed feelings about the role, considering its artistic merit alongside the character’s complex legacy.
The best actor category includes Stan and Brody alongside Timothée Chalamet (“A Complete Unknown”), Colman Domingo (“Sing Sing”), and Ralph Fiennes (“Conclave”), notably omitting Daniel Craig for his unconventional role in “Queer.” In best actress nominations, Demi Moore appears to be the frontrunner with her role in “The Substance,” joined by Gascón, Torres, Erivo, and Mikey Madison from “Anora.” This category is shaping up to be highly competitive, leaving out several big names this year.
Mikey Madison, a native of Los Angeles, shared her sorrow over the devastation from the wildfires yet expressed appreciation for Hollywood’s unity in celebrating cinema in tough times. In the directing category, Coralie Fargeat has broken the predominantly male lineup, earning a nomination for “The Substance,” amidst expectations that Edward Berger would be recognized for “Conclave.”
Leading the supporting actor nominations is Kieran Culkin, a favorited contender for “A Real Pain,” along with competitors Yura Borisov, Guy Pearce, Edward Norton, and Strong. In the supporting actress race, nominees include Grande, Saldaña, Jones, Monica Barbaro, and Isabella Rossellini.
Despite the recent wildfires, which initially delayed nominations that were set for January 17, the Academy aims to carry on with the Oscars as a demonstration of strength and resilience for the Los Angeles community. Leaders argue for the ceremony’s economic significance and symbolic importance, vowing to honor both the creativity of the industry and those impacted by the fires.
Although the usual excitement surrounding award season has diminished due to the fires, with some events canceled or scaled back, there remains hope for a meaningful ceremony. Furthermore, the nominations reflect a climate where several films across a spectrum of visibility—those widely released and others mainly on streaming platforms—have gained recognition. This year lacks a definitive frontrunner, offering opportunities for multiple films, such as “The Brutalist,” “Emilia Pérez,” “Anora,” “Conclave,” and “Wicked,” to vie for the prestigious best picture award.
