97th Academy Awards Nominations Revealed: Surprises, Snubs, and Big Wins!

In a highly anticipated announcement, the nominees for the 97th Academy Awards were revealed yesterday, marking a historic moment for some and a heartbreaking one for others. While the announcement was delayed due to the wildfires in Los Angeles, the excitement was palpable as the list of nominees dropped.

Leading the charge with 13 nominations is Emilia Perez, a foreign film making history as the first of its kind to dominate the nominations. Hot on its heels are The Brutalist and the musical Wicked, both securing 10 nominations apiece.

However, not everyone received the recognition they hoped for. In one of the biggest snubs of the year, three talented actresses—Marianne Jean-Baptiste for Hard Truths, Angelina Jolie for Maria, and Nicole Kidman for Baby Girl—were left off the list. Despite standout performances and critical acclaim, these actresses were not deemed worthy of Oscar nods, a hard truth for many fans. Similarly, Pamela Anderson's exceptional work in The Last Showgirl earned her a nomination at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, but the Academy left her out of the race.

Actor Daniel Craig, whose bold performance in Queer was considered a standout, also failed to secure his first Oscar nomination. Perhaps even more surprising was the absence of Denzel Washington, who many argued was the best part of Gladiator 2, a film that landed multiple nominations but left him out in the cold.

On the flip side, there were some notable surprises. The Academy has made it clear that international cinema is here to stay, with Emilia Perez and Brazil’s I’m Still Here earning spots in the Best Picture category, cementing the global reach of cinema today. Additionally, Monica Barbaro’s portrayal of Joan Baez in Complete Unknown has been met with praise, and her inclusion in the nominations comes as a welcome surprise to fans.

Despite the controversy surrounding snubs, the nominations have sparked conversations and anticipation for the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony. The race for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor and Actress is officially on, and it's shaping up to be an exciting year for film.