In a year marked by resilience and reinvention, the 2025 Oscars have delivered a slate of nominations as diverse and dynamic as the global film industry itself. At the forefront stands Emilia Pérez, Jacques Audiard’s bold, Spanish-language narco-musical that not only dominated with 13 nominations but also broke barriers, making history along the way.
A Historic Nod for Trans Representation
Karla Sofía Gascón, the film’s lead, secured a nomination for Best Actress, becoming the first openly trans actor ever nominated for an Oscar. Her portrayal in Emilia Pérez has drawn widespread acclaim, solidifying the film’s status as a cultural touchstone. Audiard, in a statement, celebrated the film’s global impact:
“This recognition highlights the interconnected world we live in.”
Beyond Best Actress, the film is in contention for Best Picture, Best Director, Original Screenplay, and two Original Song awards, alongside Zoe Saldaña’s nod for Best Supporting Actress. With its sweeping success, Emilia Pérez surpasses Roma as the most-nominated non-English-language film in Academy Awards history.
Netflix’s Quest for Best Picture
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Despite its stature in Hollywood, Netflix has yet to clinch the coveted Best Picture award. Previous contenders like Roma and The Irishman garnered nominations aplenty but fell short of the top prize. This year, Emilia Pérez represents Netflix’s strongest chance yet to break that streak.
Should it win, Emilia Pérez would join the ranks of only three films in history—All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land—to secure more than 13 nominations, an elite benchmark in Academy Awards history.
Musicals Shine Bright
Musicals are having a moment this awards season, with Wicked, Jon M. Chu’s opulent adaptation of the Broadway smash hit, scoring 10 nominations, including Best Picture. Stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande received acting nods, ensuring Wicked’s presence in some of the night’s most competitive categories.
The Brutalist and the Year’s Other Heavyweights
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Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist emerged as another major player, earning 10 nominations. The postwar epic shot in VistaVision is vying for Best Picture, with acting nominations for Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce, and Felicity Jones.
Other standout nominees include Anora (six nominations), Conclave (eight nominations), and A Complete Unknown (eight nominations). The Brazilian film I’m Still Here, a moving portrayal of resistance during Brazil’s military dictatorship, delivered a surprise Best Actress nomination for Fernanda Torres.
Controversial Entries and Surprise Snubs
One of the year’s most provocative films, The Apprentice, dramatizing Donald Trump’s early career under attorney Roy Cohn, landed acting nods for Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong. Strong, nominated for his portrayal of the controversial Cohn, reflected on the tension surrounding the film, saying,
“This role was a lifetime opportunity, but its legacy is unfolding in real time.”
Notable snubs included Daniel Craig, praised for his role in Queer, and Edward Berger, expected to earn a directing nomination for Conclave.
Animated Hits and Blockbuster Misses
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The Best Animated Feature category saw nominations for Inside Out 2, The Wild Robot, Flow, Memoir of a Snail, and Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. Despite its box office success, Inside Out 2 was Disney’s only major contender this year, as other blockbusters like Moana 2 and Deadpool and Wolverine missed the cut.
While some big-budget films like Dune: Part Two and Wicked made their mark, the industry’s focus leaned heavily toward storytelling and creativity over commercial dominance.
Oscars in a Time of Crisis
This year’s nominations come in the shadow of devastating wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles, disrupting the city and the film industry. Postponed twice, the announcements were a testament to Hollywood’s resilience. Academy President Janet Yang and CEO Bill Kramer emphasized that the ceremony will honor the city’s strength while celebrating global creativity.
The fires led to a more subdued awards season, with the annual nominees’ luncheon canceled and original song performances scrapped. Conan O’Brien, who will host the March 2 ceremony, is one of many Angelenos personally impacted by the disaster.
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A Wide-Open Race
Unlike last year’s clear frontrunner, Oppenheimer, this year’s Best Picture race remains unpredictable. Emilia Pérez, The Brutalist, Wicked, Conclave, and Anora are all considered strong contenders, with no single film emerging as the favorite.
With five weeks to go until the Oscars, the race promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. Will Emilia Pérez cement its place in history, or will another contender steal the spotlight?
This year’s Oscars aren’t just about awards—they’re a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the enduring power of cinema. A promising and unforgettable night.
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