BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

The 2025 Oscar nominations brought a mix of expected frontrunners, igniting excitement among cinephiles and industry insiders. Films like Emilia Pérez, The Brutalist, and Wicked dominated with multiple nominations, and shaped the narrative of this year’s awards season.

1. Best Picture and Directing Surprises

Leading the Best Picture race, Emilia Pérez secured an impressive 13 nominations, reflecting its widespread acclaim for its innovative musical approach and compelling storytelling. The Brutalist and Wicked followed closely with 10 nods each, solidifying their positions as critical darlings. 

However, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two, despite being a major blockbuster and technical marvel, received fewer nominations than anticipated. Instead, Coralie Fargeat (The Substance) and Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez) joined expected names like Sean Baker (Anora) and Brady Corbet (The Brutalist), leaving Villeneuve and Edward Berger (Conclave) out of the running.

2. Acting Categories: Snubs and Surprises

The acting categories delivered some of the most discussed surprises. In Best Actress, Pamela Anderson (The Last Showgirl), who garnered buzz and a SAG nomination, was left out, making room for Brazil’s Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here). 

This marked a rare recognition of a Brazilian actress in the Oscars’ history. Meanwhile, Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of a young Donald Trump in The Apprentice earned him a Best Actor nod, defying expectations, as Daniel Craig (Queer) was initially pegged as a likely contender.

Stan’s co-star Jeremy Strong also landed a Supporting Actor nomination for his role as Trump’s mentor, Roy Cohn, further elevating the film’s presence. In Supporting Actress, Ariana Grande (Wicked) surprised with her nomination, marking her first Oscar recognition for her vibrant portrayal of Glinda, while Felicity Jones (The Brutalist) and Isabella Rossellini (Conclave) secured spots as expected.

3. Technical Achievements and International Features

The technical categories saw fierce competition, with Wicked and Dune: Part Two leading in areas like production design, costume design, and visual effects. Surprisingly, Dune lost momentum in key categories like cinematography, where Greig Fraser was overshadowed by less-expected nominees like Jarin Blaschke (Nosferatu).

In the International Feature Film category, Brazil’s I’m Still Here and Denmark’s The Girl with the Needle stood out. France’s Emilia Pérez, as the frontrunner, continued its streak of accolades, affirming its global appeal.

The 2025 Oscars nominations reflect a blend of bold choices and traditional favorites, ensuring an unpredictable awards night. While films like Emilia Pérez and The Brutalist continue to lead the pack, surprises in acting and directing categories keep the competition tight, making this year’s ceremony a must-watch event.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Nextbestpicture.com