Another year of Oscar nominations, another outcry about the films and performances that weren’t nominated.
While there’s plenty to be celebrated on social media — like Everything Everywhere All At Once’s dominant 11 nominations and Angela Bassett being the first actor to be nominated for a performance in an MCU film — there’s also quite a some fury over the snubbing of films like Jordan Peele’s Nope, which was shunned despite critical acclaim. And while the Academy has historically been reluctant to reward horror, Peele has received Oscar recognition in the past with Get Out.
I’ll let myself take one Oscars 🔥: it’s a little surreal that the most visually creative American picture of the year, made by an Oscar-winning director and with huge stars, was never even mentioned. But, given what it says about the industry and its history, not surprising either! pic.twitter.com/q2rsH5BRGw
— Ashley Clark (@_Ash_Clark) January 24, 2023
No would get a Best Picture nomination if voters were in their right mind. pic.twitter.com/VdY3YktudO
— Richard Newby – Vote Blue and Save Yourself (@RICHARDLNEWBY) January 23, 2023
It also underscores a lack of black filmmakers and artists in this year’s nominations, with no women nominated in the director category. In particular, the critically acclaimed The Woman King was completely shut out, where many predicted that Viola Davis would at least be recognized for her performance.
#TheWomanKing had everything the oscars generally go for: it’s a period movie, has tons of battle scenes and addicting characters
But it was co-produced by a black woman, stars black women, was directed by a black woman. So.#OscarNominations2023
— Candice Frederick (@ReelTalker) January 24, 2023
The Woman King wrapped up the award season is truly a sight to behold. The film, director and actors gave us some of the best work this year.
– Brittany Packnett Cunningham. (@MsPackyetti) January 24, 2023
And then there were some categories: one of the year’s biggest hits, Top Gun: Maverick, scored six nominations, including a coveted Best Picture nod. But star Tom Cruise didn’t get the same love from the Academy, nor did director Joseph Kosinski.
This is spot on. Actually more than and Oscar nods, it’s time to stop being snooty and admit that something @TomCruise has done for cinema, especially in recent years, is more than award-worthy – his commitment to making blockbusters, and employing thousands in doing so, is heroic. https://t.co/bPl5I2Jj7a
— Simon Boyle (@SimonBoyle87) January 24, 2023
How do you leave James Cameron AND Joseph Kosinski out of Best Director?? Both created sequels of all time that pushed the limits of their art in radically different ways. Come on, #oscars that was a layup.
— GORT E. HOWE (@OhMaseyMase) January 24, 2023
That director category became one of the more controversial after nominations were announced. Despite a best picture nod for Avatar: The Way of Water, James Cameron was not nominated in the director category.
And besides the lack of women, others were frustrated to see RRR director SS Rajamouli left. The film was also snubbed in Best Picture despite its critical acclaim and passionate fanbase, though it was nominated for Best Original Song for Naatu Naatu.
No Oscar nomination for RRR in major categories. pic.twitter.com/KdL6M4CiRn
— Mystic Tamil (@Mystic_Tamil) January 24, 2023
laughing myself into a hernia that avatar was nominated for best picture and decided to leave, RRR, and no got dust the oscars are a joke
— regular meghan 나영지 🐰 (@ruemcclammyhand) January 24, 2023
And, as the tweet above indicates, there were many who wanted to see more love for the South Korean film Decision to Leave.
Terrible decision to leave from DECISION TO LEAVE. #Oscars2023
– Justin Chang (@JustinCChang) January 24, 2023
Park Chan-wook’s DECISION TO BE FAILED at the Oscars in general, and especially in the best international feature, is really frustrating. Simply a great work of art on every imaginable front. pic.twitter.com/CURgTEPmdm
— Isaac Feldberg (@isaacfeldberg) January 24, 2023
What do you think is the biggest snub in this year’s Oscar nominations? Let us know in the comments below.
Alex Stedman is a news editor for IGN, leading entertainment reporting. When she’s not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.
