Pamela Anderson and Demi Moore have returned to the awards race for The Last Showgirl and The Substance respectively. Getty Images
Oscar Nominations: A Thrilling Year With No Clear Favorite
The excitement is palpable as the Oscar nominations are set to be announced today at 13:30 GMT. This year’s race is particularly unpredictable, with no consensus frontrunner for Best Picture. From blockbuster hits like Wicked and Dune: Part Two to critically acclaimed films such as Emilia Pérez, Conclave, and The Brutalist, the competition is wide open.
The announcement, initially scheduled for last week, was delayed due to extended voting prompted by the Los Angeles wildfires. The highly anticipated Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by the witty Conan O'Brien, is scheduled for March 2. This year’s contenders bring a fascinating mix of musicals, comeback stories, and performances from big-name stars, ensuring plenty of surprises.
Comeback Queens Steal the Spotlight
The Best Actress category is brimming with compelling comeback narratives. Demi Moore, a strong contender, shines in The Substance as a woman swapping her body for youth and beauty. Pamela Anderson has also garnered attention for her raw and poignant portrayal in The Last Showgirl, earning surprise SAG and Golden Globe nods.
Additionally, Marianne Jean-Baptiste may return to the Oscar stage for her role in Hard Truths, marking nearly three decades since her nomination for Secrets & Lies. Angelina Jolie, portraying opera legend Maria Callas in Maria, also joins the fray, though she’s faced setbacks after missing out on key nominations elsewhere.
Sebastian Stan’s Double Shot at Glory
The Best Actor race is heating up, with Adrien Brody (The Brutalist), Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), and Colman Domingo (Sing Sing) leading the charge. Sebastian Stan has a unique edge, competing with two standout performances: as a young Donald Trump in The Apprentice and as a transformed aspiring actor in A Different Man.
British stars Ralph Fiennes (Conclave) and Daniel Craig (Queer) also remain strong contenders, while the category teems with diverse, memorable roles.
Sebastian Stan played Donald Trump in his younger years as a New York real estate tycoon in The Apprentice. Image: StudioCanal
Pop Stars Take Center Stage
Pop sensations Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez are making waves in the Best Supporting Actress race. Grande dazzles as Glinda in Wicked, while Gomez shines in Emilia Pérez, playing the wife of a Mexican drug lord turned gender-transformed protagonist. Gomez’s co-star, Zoe Saldaña, leads the category after her Golden Globe win.
The competition remains fierce, with other notable names such as Felicity Jones (The Brutalist) and Margaret Qualley (The Substance) vying for recognition.
Succession Stars in the Spotlight
HBO’s Succession alumni Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong may both land Best Supporting Actor nominations for A Real Pain and The Apprentice, respectively. Other likely contenders include Yura Borisov (Anora) and Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown).
Kieran Culkin (left) and Jeremy Strong both won SAG Awards in 2022 for their performances in Succession. Getty Images
Blockbusters and Animated Favorites
Big-budget films like Wicked and Dune: Part Two dominate the Best Picture race alongside the charming Latvian animated film Flow, which has captured hearts worldwide. In animation, Inside Out 2 and The Wild Robot are also likely contenders.
Why This Year’s Oscars Are Unpredictable
Unlike past years, there’s no clear leader for Best Picture. Films like The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez have gained momentum, while others like Conclave and Anora could benefit from the preferential ballot system.
The nominations will be live-streamed on the BBC News page and the Academy’s official platforms. With so many surprises and intriguing narratives, this year’s Oscars promise to be one for the books!
