TV & Film
Best Animated Feature
Nominees:
- The Boy and the Heron
- Elemental
- Nimona
- Robot Dreams
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Vant Fave: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
The second installment in the Spider-Verse franchise definitely lived up to our expectations. It highlighted a more expansive world of spider-people and their spider-ventures, along with a captivating array of animation styles like watercolor and punk. However, at its core, Miles Morales’ coming-of-age and the development of his relationships alone already make up for an Oscar-worthy film.
Prediction: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Given that its predecessor Into the Spider-Verse (2018) took the prize home, the far more ambitious sequel is poised to do the same. Although a strong contender like Hayao Miyazaki’s equally masterful The Boy and the Heron (2023) is in its way, we believe Across the Spider-Verse has garnered enough acclaim from critics and the general public alike to secure the award.
Best International Feature Film
Nominees:
- Io Capitano
- Society of the Snow
- The Zone of Interest
- Perfect Days
Vant Fave: The Zone of Interest
Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest (2023) covered the historical travesty of World War II in a unique, twisted way. Instead of the usual focus on the victims of the Holocaust, Glazer spotlighted the perspective of the people behind the curtains. The feature film makes us grapple with the banality of evil in a truly groundbreaking and captivating way.
Prediction: The Zone of Interest
Beyond its themes, The Zone of Interest (2023) has also been nominated for coveted awards like the BAFTAs and Golden Globes. The moving feature film has also won the Grand Prix and FIPRESCI at the Cannes Film Festival!
Best Visual Effects
Nominees:
- The Creator
- Godzilla Minus One
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
- Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
- Napoleon
Vant Fave: Godzilla Minus One
Though everyone’s familiar with the icon that is Godzilla, no one expected Godzilla Minus One to be one of the biggest hits of 2023. Containing some of the most impressive visual effects to dawn the projector, the Japanese film showed to audiences what can be achievable with a team who knows how to make use of its medium and tools.
Prediction: Godzilla Minus One
With the film’s use of kaiju as a metaphor for humanity’s failures—as the original did—the film is able to have a rich thematic narrative alongside its jaw dropping visuals. From its USD 106.7-million worldwide gross to the positive critical reception of audiences, the 70-year-old superstar is sure to be an underdog amongst the Hollywood big-hitters.
Best Original Score
Nominees:
- American Fiction
- Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
- Killers of the Flower Moon
- Oppenheimer
- Poor Things
Vant Fave: Ludwig Göransson (Oppenheimer)
Ludwig Göransson came from composing the theme for the sitcom Community (2009–2015) to scoring the highest grossing biopic of all time with Oppenheimer (2023). The Swedish composer’s versatility has been proven time and again with his works from The Mandalorian (2019—) to Disney’s Turning Red (2022). His 3 out of 4-EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) status is just the icing on top of his stacked portfolio.
Prediction: Ludwig Göransson (Oppenheimer)
Göransson’s Best Score nomination for Oppenheimer (2023) is not his first rodeo with the Academy. He has won the same award, as well as Best Music (Original Song), for the 2019 blockbuster hit Black Panther (2018). While Poor Things (2023) and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) both vie for runner ups, the intricacy of the Oppenheimer score leaves more of a lasting impression not just on current audiences, but also for viewers to come in the film’s legacy in the industry.
Best Adapted Screenplay
Nominees:
- American Fiction
- Barbie
- Oppenheimer
- Poor Things
- The Zone of Interest
Vant Fave: Barbie
Expectations were high for the story based on Mattel, Inc.’s iconic doll. With its thought-provoking but simultaneously comedic dialogue, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie (2023) did not disappoint! The film was able to balance deeper themes with humor, while portraying self-discovery, societal pressures, and gender roles in a digestible manner for even a younger audience. At the same time, Gerwig was disposed to tap into nostalgia with a more mature yet equally meaningful and engaging narrative.
Prediction: Oppenheimer
Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer (2023) raised the bar for biography adaptations everywhere! Based on the biography American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin, the film stood out already from its purely first-person perspective. What sealed the deal for Oppenheimer (2023), however, was the movie’s structure and alignment with the nuclear theme. Through his writing, Nolan was able to evoke great emotional connections to the characters while being able to pose questions surrounding scientific advancement and ethics.
Best Original Screenplay
Nominees:
- Anatomy of a Fall
- The Holdovers
- Maestro
- May December
- Past Lives
Vant Fave: Past Lives (Celine Song)
Song took the TOTGA trope to a whole new level of yearning with unfortunate but realistic plot points, painting a romance that can only succeed in another—or perhaps, a past—life. With both Greta Lee and Teo Yoo snubbed for acting categories, we are hopeful that the film’s sincere and lingering script will at least be given merit.
Prediction: Anatomy of a Fall (Justine Triet and Arthur Harari)
This screenplay has everything for a compelling courtroom drama—perplexing but believable characters, thrilling details that compound the mystery, and intense dialogues that trample even Marriage Story (2019). We believe Triet and Harari might just bag this one given the Academy’s penchant for grander and more dramatic storylines.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominees:
- Emily Blunt
- Danielle Brooks
- America Ferrera
- Jodie Foster
- Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Vant Fave: Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Randolph’s role in The Holdovers (2023) as a prep school’s head cook mourning the loss of her son showcased one of the most nuanced portrayals of an emotion as delicate and complex as grief in recent years. While her subtle side-eyes and perfect comedic timing might point otherwise, the actress conveyed a vulnerability that was equally warm as it was heavy.
Prediction: Da’Vine Joy Randolph
After sweeping major awards, such as the BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and Critics’ Choice, Randolph is the clear frontrunner for the Oscars. Winning the coveted prize would definitely be a fitting culmination to her run as the lovable Mary Lamb.
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominees:
- Sterling K. Brown
- Robert De Niro
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Ryan Gosling
- Mark Ruffalo
Vant Fave: Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. was perfectly able to capture the morally gray nature of his character, Lewis Strauss. In Oppenheimer (2023), Strauss was portrayed as one of the primary developers behind the atomic bomb. What sounds like an easily deplorable role was made into a passionate and multidimensional character by Downey Jr.’s excellent acting.
Prediction: Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Lewis Strauss is undoubtedly the favorite this season! His recent sweep covers coveted accolades such as the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and Critics’ Choice awards for the role.
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Nominees:
- Annette Bening
- Lily Gladstone
- Sandra Hüller
- Carey Mulligan
- Emma Stone
Vant Fave: Sandra Hüller
Sandra Hüller’s standout performance in Anatomy of a Fall (2023) keeps the audience on their toes, asking “did she?” or “didn’t she?” in one of the most gripping dramas of the year. Imbuing the character with a certain electricity, Hüller’s performance as Sandra becomes one of the most captivating and spellbinding amongst the nominees. Even if Hüller may not be our Oscars prediction, she’s certainly receiving the rightful accolades she deserves after the recent César Awards in France.
Prediction: Lily Gladstone
In one of the most harrowing films of the year, Lily Gladstone gives an earth-shattering performance as Mollie Burkhart. As Killers of the Flower Moon explores human greed, Gladstone’s portrayal allows a direct viewpoint of the injustices the Osage Nation went through. Making history as the first Native American actress to be nominated for an Oscar, Gladstone will surely be remembered for their outstanding performance.
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Nominees:
- Bradley Cooper
- Colman Domingo
- Paul Giamatti
- Cillian Murphy
- Jefrey Wright
Vant Fave: Cillian Murphy
Christopher Nolan celebrates twenty years with his muse, Cillian Murphy, by helping the latter deliver the performance of a lifetime in Oppenheimer (2023). Murphy finally got his first—and long overdue—Academy nomination playing the titular character, just over a decade after his rise to fame in 28 Days Later (2002). He is already a front-runner for Best Actor, but his recent wins in the 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards and the 2024 Golden Globe Awards prove that there is no stopping the Peaky Blinders (2013–2022) alum.
Prediction: Cillian Murphy
In a recent interview with CBS News, the Oppenheimer actor revealed that he received a “heartfelt” note on his script cover from director Christopher Nolan: “Dearest Cillian. Finally, a chance to see you lead.” This nomination has been a long time coming for Murphy’s career in the industry, especially for his works with Nolan as The Scarecrow in The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005; 2008; 2012) and Fischer in Inception (2010), among others. He may be leading the current Oscars race for Best Actor according to multiple film sites, but his performances for Breakfast on Pluto (2005) and Watching the Detectives (2007) early on demonstrate that his talent knows no bounds of a singular genre.
Best Director
Nominees:
- Jonathan Glazer
- Yorgos Lanthimos
- Christopher Nolan
- Martin Scorsese
- Justine Triet
Vant Fave: Justine Triet
Another Anatomy of a Fall (2023) pick?! Well, it’s definitely not our fault that Justine Triet’s direction absolutely floored us with her legal drama. From court scenes that you cannot lay your eyes off of to monologues you just can’t help but listen to, Triet showcased her chops in constructing one of the most compelling mysteries of the year.
Prediction: Christopher Nolan
We’ve all seen the mind-bending sequences of Inception (2010) or the astounding scientific accuracy of Interstellar (2014); there’s no doubt that Christopher Nolan is a skilled director. Even then, his accomplishment with the gargantuan film that is Oppenheimer (2023) shows that he has gone beyond what he’s done before. In overlapping timelines, subtle callbacks, and masterful setpieces, Nolan’s direction has fully made use of film as a medium to tell stories that need telling.
Best Picture
Nominees:
- American Fiction
- Anatomy of a Fall
- Barbie
- The Holdovers
- Killers of the Flower Moon
- Maestro
- Oppenheimer
- Past Lives
- Poor Things
- The Zone of Interest
Vant Fave: The Holdovers
The Holdovers (2023) is the kind of film that you watch on Christmas morning with hot cocoa in one hand. It feels like a big hug as the credits roll and a Cat Stevens track fades in, leaving you nostalgic for a memory that is not your own. While these kinds of movies don’t necessarily pique the interest of the Academy, we find that The Holdovers’ wistful soundtrack, beautiful storytelling, and outstanding cast are enough to at least be the Best Picture winner in our hearts.
Prediction: Oppenheimer
It is no doubt that Oppenheimer (2023) has been sweeping award categories since the season began, as well as received critical acclaim since its release last Barbenheimer July 2023. Truly, its potential to win Best Picture has been locked since then, but for it to lead the run amongst one of the most contentious line-ups since the pandemic shows that the future of motion picture is in good hands.
