After an endless number of screenings, press junkets, and ceremonies over the past several months, awards season will finally conclude with the 94th Academy Awards at the end of March. This year’s Oscar-nominated movies exemplified some of the most incredible filmmaking of the past year, showcasing some of cinema’s most talented actors, directors, and artists. From longtime Oscar pros such asSteven Spielbergto international breakouts likeRyusuke Hamaguchi, this year’s batch of nominees represent a broad swathe of filmmaking styles from many parts of the globe.
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This year, audiences tuning in can look forward to the Academy Awards returning to a better sense of normalcy following the small-scaled ceremony that the pandemic necessitated in 2021. The 94th Academy Awards will be held on the last Sunday of March and hosted by thefunny lady trio of Wanda Sykes, Regina Hall, and Amy Schumer. Who’s going to win? We’ve got some guesses.
German composerHans Zimmeris no stranger to the Oscar race for Best Score; he has received his 12th nomination this year for his exceptional work onDune. Zimmer’s score underlines the vast proportions of the film’s narrative and serves a vital role in bringing the otherworldliness ofDuneto life. Zimmer’s dynamic score builds in sync withDune’ssweeping story, vacillating from delicate metallic melodies to bombastic battle anthems. If Zimmer wins Best Score this year, it will be the composer’s first win since 1994, when he won forThe Lion King.
Score Nominees
Don’t Look Up- Nicholas Britell
Dune- Hans Zimmer
Encanto- Germaine Franco
Parallel Mothers- Alberto Iglesias
The Power of the Dog- Jonny Greenwood
Cinematography
Greig Fraserhas been on a roll recently, earning much acclaim for his work onThe BatmanandDune, the latter of which has made the Australian cinematographer his second Academy Award nomination. His work as the cinematographer ofDuneboasts everything from panoramic desert landscapes to dark, moody interior shots that contribute to the enormous proportions ofDuneas an epic work of science fiction. Fraser’s ambitious framing and eye for compositions work overtime to elevate the greatness ofDune. While Fraser faces stiff competition in this year’s Oscar race for Best Cinematography, his next-level work onDunecould be enough to earn him his first Academy Award.
Cinematography Nominees
Dune- Greig Fraser
Nightmare Alley- Dan Laustsen
The Power of the Dog- Ari Wegner
The Tragedy of Macbeth- Bruno Delbonnel
West Side Story- Janusz Kaminski
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Adapted Screenplay
The famedMaggie Gyllenhaalhas received much acclaim for her directorial debut,The Lost Daughter. With a screenplay adapted by Gyllenhaal from a 2008 novel of the same name by Italian authorElena Ferrante,The Lost Daughterrevolves around intricate themes of motherhood. Simultaneously unnerving and sensual,The Lost Daughterconveys a unique sense of suspense with subtle, clever acting performances from an A-list cast, includingOlivia ColmanandJessie Buckley. They have also earned Oscar nominations this year for their performances in the film. Riding high aftersweeping the Independent Spirit Awards,The Lost Daughtercould see its most significant win yet for Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards.
Adapted Screenplay Nominees
Coda- Screenplay by Siân Heder
Drive My Car- Screenplay by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Takamasa Oe
Dune- Screenplay by Jon Spaihts and Denis Villeneuve and Eric Roth
The Lost Daughter- Written by Maggie Gyllenhaal
The Power of the Dog- Written by Jane Campion
Original Screenplay
Paul Thomas Andersonhas long been hailed as one of America’s top writer-directors, and his inclinations for distinctive storytelling are on full display in his latest film,Licorice Pizza.Earning Anderson his third Oscar nomination for Original Screenplay,Licorice Pizzastood out from other films of the last year with its charming, colorful narrative. Centering around two young adults (performed by newcomersAlana HaimandCooper Hoffman) who are inextricably drawn into one another’s lives,Licorice Pizzaperfectly encapsulates Anderson’s fixations with the culture of California while also drawing intelligent comparisons between the sociopolitical zeitgeist of the 1970s and today. WhileLicorice Pizzahas three major Oscar nominations this year, the remarkable film shows the most strength in the Original Screenplay category.
Original Screenplay Nominees
Belfast- Written by Kenneth Branagh
Don’t Look Up- Screenplay by Adam McKay; Story by Adam McKay & David Sirota
King Richard- Written by Zach Baylin
Licorice Pizza- Written by Paul Thomas Anderson
The Worst Person in the World- Written by Eskil Vogt, Joachim Trier
International Feature Film
Japanese filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi has earned his first Oscar nominations for his incredible filmDrive My Car. Lighting the world of cinema on fire since its Cannes premiere last summer,Drive My Carwas one of the most critically lauded filmsof 2021. A sophisticated, astute film adapted from aHaruki Murakamishort story of the same name,Drive My Cardelves deep into ruminations on life, death, and creation. Hamaguchi has managed to break into many categories at this year’s Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Still, his best chances for a win will materialize in the International Feature Film category, whichDrive My Caris the unquestionable front-runner in.
All Nominees in the Category
Drive My Car- Japan
Flee- Denmark
The Hand of God- Italy
Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom- Bhutan
The Worst Person In The World- Norway
Actress in a Supporting Role
SinceWest Side Storypremiered back in December,Ariana DeBose’sinterpretation of Anita has been called out as one of the film’s most successful elements. A vibrant performance accentuated by DeBose’s musical theater background,West Side Storyunderscores the up-and-coming actress’s talents for singing and dancing, as well as her undeniable star power. DeBose has already won the Golden Globe and SAG award for Best Supporting Actress for this role, giving her much momentum as the Academy Awards grow closer. One of the few queer nominees of the year, DeBose will become the first Afro-Latina Oscar winner should she win.
Actress in a Supporting Role Nominees
Jessie Buckley-The Lost Daughter
Ariana DeBose -West Side Story
Judi Dench -Belfast
Kirsten Dunst -The Power of the Dog
Aunjanue Ellis -King Richard
Actor in a Leading Role
Hollywood iconWill Smithis the strongest contender for Best Actor at this year’s Academy Awards for portraying Richard Williams inKing Richard. In arguably the best performance of his long career, Smith transforms into the iconic father of tennis superstarsVenusandSerena Williams, portraying the patriarch’s intense devotion to his daughter’s success. Not only did Smith disappear into his role, but he also worked as a producer onKing Richardand worked diligently to bring the film to fruition. This Oscar nomination is Smith’s first since 2007 forThe Pursuit of Happynessand will be his first win if he pulls it through forKing Richard.
Actor in a Leading Role Nominees
Javier Bardem -Being the Ricardos
Benedict Cumberbatch -The Power of the Dog
Andrew Garfield -tick, tick…BOOM!
Will Smith -King Richard
Denzel Washington -The Tragedy of Macbeth
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Actress in a Leading Role
In one of the closest races of this year’s Academy Awards,Jessica Chastainis predicted to win Best Actress for her performance inThe Eyes of Tammy Faye. Chastain shines brilliantly as the infamous TelevangelistTammy Faye Bakker; her performance is the only impressive part of an overall middling movie. In the film, Chastain skillfully taps into the incredibly flawed but sensitive personality that Bakker was known for,not only through a dramatic physical transformationbut also through her dynamic performance. Like predicted Best Actor winner Will Smith, Chastain also served as a producer onThe Eyes of Tammy Fayeand worked for years to make the film. Chastain has had three Oscar nominations in the past with no wins, but her exemplary commitment toThe Eyes of Tammy Fayecould see the actress receive her most significant award yet, Best Actress.
Actress in a Leading Role Nominees
Jessica Chastain -The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Olivia Colman -The Lost Daughter
Penélope Cruz -Parallel Mothers
Nicole Kidman -Being the Ricardos
Kristen Stewart -Spencer
Jane Campionhas been long-celebrated throughout the world for her auteur filmmaking. This year, the Kiwi director has reentered the Oscar conversation with her latest film,The Power of the Dog. A powerhouse film that boasts dynamic performances, immaculate crafts, and a captivating narrative,The Power of the Dogis well-poised to earn Campion her first Academy Award this year for Best Director. Should Campion triumph, she will be just the third female director in the history of the Academy to win the top prize for directing, afterKathryn Bigelowin 2010 andChloe Zhaoin 2021.
Directing Nominees
Kenneth Branagh -Belfast
Ryusuke Hamaguchi -Drive My Car
Paul Thomas Anderson -Licorice Pizza
Jane Campion -The Power of the Dog
Steven Spielberg -West Side Story
Best Picture
After months of acclaim among critics and mainstream audiences,The Power of the Dogbecame the most-nominated film of the 94th Academy Awards with 12 nominations across all categories. Adapted from a 1967 novel of the same name,The Power of the Dogis a sophisticated western-noir thatconfronts conventions of traditional masculinityand conceptions of the American West. Written and directed by Jane Campion, the filmmaker uses her masterful sensibilities to make the film succeed across the board, pushingThe Power of the Dogto the front of the Oscar race towards Best Picture. This nomination for Best Picture is Campion’s second, the first being forThe Pianoback in 1994, so the talented and respected filmmaker is long overdue for the mainstream recognition that a Best Picture win would facilitate.The Power of the Dogis a brilliant, one-of-a-kind film that will likely win Best Picture at the 94th Academy Awards this year.
Best Picture Nominees
Don’t Look Up
Drive My Car
King Richard
Licorice Pizza
Nightmare Alley
The Power of the Dog
West Side Story
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