As awards season approaches, several standout films across genres and styles are emerging as major Oscar contenders. Among them, Conclave, directed by Edward Berger, is both thrilling and artistically rich, following a suspenseful Vatican storyline where cardinals navigate intense politics to elect a new pope. Ralph Fiennes delivers a powerful portrayal as a cardinal questioning his faith, positioning him as a likely Best Actor nominee, while Berger’s directing could also bring him recognition after his success with All Quiet on the Western Front. Another strong contender, Nickel Boys, directed by RaMell Ross, adapts Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer-winning novel and uses innovative camerawork to immerse viewers in the traumatic experiences of two boys at a racist reform school. This film is expected to stand out in technical categories such as Cinematography and Editing, and its raw, socially conscious narrative makes it a formidable Best Picture candidate.
Equally captivating is Emilia Pérez, a lively musical-drama centering on a transgender Mexican crime lord who reinvents herself to escape her past, portrayed by Karla Sofía Gascón in what could be a historic Best Actress nomination. Zoe Saldaña adds emotional depth as a supporting character, enhancing the film’s appeal in acting categories. Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, featuring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington, has captivated audiences even before its release, particularly with Washington’s powerful, scene-stealing performance. Fans are anticipating the film to secure nominations in technical areas, and many are watching to see if Scott could finally win a Best Director Oscar for this high-profile sequel.
In the realm of independent filmmaking, Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist delivers an ambitious and sprawling narrative of post-war America through the eyes of an architect, played by Adrien Brody. With Brody’s intense performance as a focal point, the film’s unique storytelling makes it a potential candidate for Best Picture and Best Actor. Sean Baker’s Anora, a satirical yet grounded exploration of wealth disparity within New York’s Russian-American community, offers a sharp commentary on power dynamics, led by a standout performance from Mikey Madison. Baker’s track record of social realism has bolstered the film’s chances in Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay categories, with Madison emerging as a strong Best Actress contender.
Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain delivers a heartfelt, humorous exploration of family dynamics and Jewish identity, likely earning Kieran Culkin a Supporting Actor nomination. This year also brings a first for Pedro Almodóvar, with The Room Next Door, his debut English-language feature, which explores euthanasia with depth and compassion. Starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, the film’s central performances are powerful, raising questions on potential category placements for both actresses to avoid splitting votes. Demi Moore’s fearless return to the screen in The Substance has also garnered significant attention. Her portrayal of an actress fighting Hollywood’s ageism by creating a younger clone of herself could make her a serious Best Actress contender, with director Coralie Fargeat’s bold storytelling likely to draw further nominations.
Finally, A Complete Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan, directed by James Mangold, is already in the mix for Best Picture, with Chalamet a likely candidate for his second Oscar nomination. With this strong and diverse array of films sparking early buzz, the 2024 Oscars are shaping up to be an exciting race that reflects the broad spectrum of talent and storytelling in cinema today.
