Welcome, fellow film fans to the most eagerly anticipated awards show of the year—the Oscars! As we eagerly await the grand night when the stars dazzle brightest and cinema is honoured, it's time to indulge in some delightful predictions and share my personal favourites while shining a light on those that were unjustly overlooked. Join the conversation on X.
This year's Oscar race is shaping up to be one of the most exceptional in recent memory. With nine out of ten Best Picture nominees receiving four to five stars from me, it's evident that we're in for a treat. The lineup is diverse, featuring a range of genres and storytelling styles. From epic dramas like Oppenheimer and Killers of the Flower Moon to intimate character studies such as Anatomy of a Fall and American Fiction, there's something for everyone.
Yet, amidst the glitz and glamour of Hollywood's most dazzling night, it's crucial to reflect on the films and performances that may have slipped through the cracks. I can't help but feel that more LGBTQ+ narratives and films directed by women, particularly British women, deserved recognition. However, if the BAFTAs failed to acknowledge the brilliance of Carol Morley's latest work (Typist Artist Pirate King - pictured) and Raine Allen Miller's debut (Rye Lane), it's unlikely that the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), it's unsurprising that the Oscars didn’t rectify this.
As the red carpet is rolled out and the stars gather, let's raise a toast to the enchantment of cinema and the extraordinary talent that brings it to life. Here's to a night filled with glitz, glamour, and perhaps a few delightful surprises. Let the countdown to the Oscars commence!
Note: I’ve seen 25 of the 52 Oscar nominated films, I’ve indicated below which films I've not seen. You can read more on my letterboxd.
Updated: 12 March 2024. Predicted 16 out of 23.
Best Picture
Did Win: Oppenheimer
Will Win: Oppenheimer
My Fave: Anatomy of a Fall
Should’ve been nominated: All Of Us Strangers
Best actor in a leading role
Did Win: Cillian Murphy – Oppenheimer
Will Win: Cillian Murphy – Oppenheimer
My Fave: Jeffrey Wright – American Fiction
Should’ve been nominated: Andrew Scott - All Of Us Strangers
Best actor in a supporting role
Did Win: Robert Downey Jr – Oppenheimer
Will Win: Robert Downey Jr – Oppenheimer
My Fave: It’s a tie! Ryan Gosling – Barbie and Mark Ruffalo – Poor Things
Should’ve been nominated: Jamie Bell - All Of Us Strangers and Ben Whishaw – Passages
Best actress
Did Win: Emma Stone – Poor Things
Will Win: Emma Stone – Poor Things
My Fave: Sandra Hüller – Anatomy of a Fall
Should’ve been nominated: Julia Louis Dreyfus - You Hurt My Feelings and Monica Dolan - Typist Artist Pirate King
Best actress in a supporting role
Did Win: Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers
Will Win: Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers
My Fave: Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers
Should’ve been nominated: Scarlett Johansson – Asteroid City
Best directing
Did Win: Oppenheimer – Christopher Nolan
Will Win: Oppenheimer – Christopher Nolan
My Fave: Anatomy of a Fall – Justine Triet
Should’ve been nominated: All Of Us Strangers – Andrew Haigh
Best animated feature film
Did Win: The Boy and the Heron
Will Win: The Boy and the Heron
My Fave: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Note, not seen The Boy and the Heron and Robot Dreams
Best adapted screenplay
Did Win: American Fiction
Will Win: American Fiction
My Fave: Barbie
Should’ve been nominated: All Of Us Strangers and Renfield
Best original screenplay
Did Win: Anatomy of a Fall Will Win: Past Lives
My Fave: Anatomy of a Fall
Should’ve been nominated: Rye Lane
Note, not seen May December
Best cinematography
Did Win: Oppenheimer
Will Win: Oppenheimer
My Fave: Poor Things
Should’ve been nominated: Barbie
Best costume design
Did Win: Poor Things
Will Win: Barbie
My Fave: Barbie
Should’ve been nominated: Priscilla
Best documentary feature film
Did Win: 20 Days in Mariupol
Will Win: 20 Days in Mariupol
Should’ve been nominated: Wham!
Note, not seen any of these!
Best documentary short film
Did Win: The Last Repair Shop Will Win: Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó
My Fave: The Last Repair Shop (as it’s the only one I’ve seen!)
Best film editing
Did Win: Oppenheimer
Will Win: Oppenheimer
My Fave: Oppenheimer
Should’ve been nominated: All Of Us Strangers
Best international feature film
Did Win: The Zone of Interest
Will Win: The Zone of Interest
My Fave: The Zone of Interest
Should’ve been nominated: Fallen Leaves
Note, not seen Io Capitano, Perfect Days and The Teachers’ Lounge
Best makeup and hairstyling
Did Win: Poor Things
Will Win: Maestro
My Fave: Poor Things
Should’ve been nominated: Barbie
Best original score
Did Win: Oppenheimer
Will Win: Oppenheimer
My Fave: Oppenheimer
Should’ve been nominated: Rye Lane
Best original song
Did Win: What Was I Made For? – Barbie
Will Win: What Was I Made For? – Barbie
My Fave: I’m Just Ken – Barbie
Should’ve been nominated: You've Never Had Chocolate Like This - Wonka
Best production design
Did Win: Poor Things
Will Win: Oppenheimer
My Fave: Barbie
Should’ve been nominated: Typist Artist Pirate King
Note, not seen Napoleon
Best animated short film
Did Win: War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko
Will Win: Letter to a Pig
Note, not seen any of these
Best live action short film
Did Win: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
Will Win: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
Should’ve been nominated: Strange Way of Life
Note, only seen Henry Sugar
Best sound
Did Win: The Zone of Interest
Will Win: The Zone of Interest
My Fave: The Zone of Interest
Should’ve been nominated: Asteroid City
Note, not seen The Creator and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Best visual effects
Did Win: Godzilla Minus One
Will Win: Napoleon
Note, not seen The Creator, Godzilla Minus One and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Should’ve been nominated: Wonka
Read my blog on 2023's Oscars. Will I do better this year?
You may have noticed, I loved All Of Us Strangers, watch the trailer.